Mindfulness Hike at Santa Rosa Plateau (Free Community Event)

About the Santa Rosa Plateau Mindfulness Hike
This is a unique day trip experience at one of our favorite places outside of Orange County. Please read the description and ask/message questions far enough ahead of time to be sure if it is a suitable fit regarding travel time, physical challenges of the hike, and other considerations. (In the event of extreme heat or an Ortega highway closure, we will change to a different hiking location - possibly closer to the coast.)

ABOUT THE MINDFULNESS HIKE:
The Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Preserve (SRPER) is located at the Southern edge of the Santa Ana Mountains in western Riverside County.

This is an immersion in nature hike, with mindfulness practices along the way. Rachel is the Trail Guide and California Native Plant expert. Treeesa is the Mindfulness, Earthing and Grounding Coach and leads the mindfulness practices. The total hike time will be 3 hours including breaks.

We will start from the parking lot at the South/Vernal Pool Trailhead (43311 Vía Volcano). Route will start on the Vernal Pool trail through grasslands and oak trees with wonderful views of the local mountains and many opportunities for wildlife viewing. We transition into chaparral with a descent to the Historic Adobes area and join the Adobe Loop trail. We will enjoy a moving meditation in the oak woodland and riparian area. Once back at the Historic Adobes, we can pause for snacks and nature breaks. Then begin our return to the parking lot via the Trans Preserve trail.

WHERE TO MEET:
· SRPER South/Vernal Pool Parking Lot. (We are NOT meeting at the Visitor’s Center.) Portable restroom available here, but no water.
· 43311 Vía Volcano. Trailhead GPS: N33.50881, W117.29393. (Look up this location ahead of time. The actual address is a bit confusing but it is the only parking lot/trailhead in that immediate area)
· There is a large parking lot portable restroom, map kiosk and pay station. We begin the hike promptly at 8:30am.
· Allow ample time to find this location, arrive at the parking lot, and get ready.
TIMELINE:

• 7:15am - Optional: Depart Gelson's Rancho Mission Viejo (30371 Gateway Place, Rancho Mission Viejo) for those who want to caravan.
• 8:20am - Arrive at the SRPER South/Vernal Pool parking lot, use facilities, gather up and pay.
• 8:25am – Introductions.
• 8:30am - Begin our mindfulness hike.
• 11:30am - Approximate time of hike end.

HIKE STATS: Trails are mixture of rocky single track and wide fire road. Total length: 4.60 miles. Elevation gain: 407ft. This is a moderately challenging hike due to rocky, uneven trails, total length and steeper hill areas. The last portion includes uphill sections with limited shade, hats and plenty of water a must.

WHAT TO BRING/WEAR: Long hiking pants or long leggings, so legs are fully covered. Sturdy, close-toe trail shoes/boots. Hats. Plenty of water. Layered clothing, camera, snacks.

OPTIONAL: Walking stick for hills. Binoculars for wildlife viewing.

PREPARE FOR HEAT: Make sure you bring plenty of water to stay hydrated along the trail, a wide brim hat and anything else to help you stay comfortable hiking for 3 hours in the heat.

PORTABLE RESTROOMS: Are available. One at the start of the trail head & a couple portable restrooms available at the adobe (halfway point).

LOCATION FEE: Daily entrance fee is $6.00 per adult payable in cash at the “iron ranger” or scan QR code for electronic payment. Fees help fund SRPER care and maintenance, preserve staff salaries and construction of improvements.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
· From south Orange County take Ortega Highway to Lake Elsinore. Right on Grand to Clinton Keith. Right on Clinton Keith (pass the SRPER Visitor’s Center), to Tenaja Rd. (past Sylvan Meadows and Hidden Valley parking lots) to Via Volcano. You will see the parking lot on the left.
· From San Diego or inland, take the 15 freeway to Clinton Keith west. Follow Clinton Keith (past Visitor’s Center to Tenaja Rd. (past Hidden Valley and Sylvan Meadows parking lots) to Via Volcano. Parking lot will be up on the mesa on the left-hand side of the road.

PLEASE NOTE: We start promptly at 8:30am. Official hike start is at the map station kiosk at the South Parking Lot. We will head out the Vernal Pool Trail – if you are late, you can follow this flat trail to catch up with us. In the event of extreme heat or an Ortega Highway closure, we will change to a different hiking location - possibly closer to the coast.

WILDERNESS PARK PRECAUTIONS: We need to be aware of snakes, ticks, flying insects, poison oak and natural hazards along the trail. Long hiking pants or long leggings (due to poison oak and cactus) are recommended and closed toed hiking boots/shoes are mandatory.

This offering is a free gift to my community for the month of June. For those who feel called within their heart to make a donation to help support our community and my mission of helping people stay harmonized in mind, body, soul you can do so via PayPal
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=MXUFXF9ZXHWKC
Venmo: @Treeesa88 - Treeesa Nieto or on my website at:
https://jinzangsitreeesa.com/donate-now/
Or Buy Me a Tea: https://py.pl/xOdxB
Thank you for your kind and loving generosi-tea.

I am so grateful for you, your participation and generous contributions.
These Mindfulness Hikes make great Team Building Events. Individual, Group and Team building events are available to book on my website at: https://jinzangsitreeesa.com/offerings/
or on my booking link:
https://mindfulnesswithtreeesa.as.me/schedule.php

Looking forward to connecting with you in nature soon.
With Love and Gratitude,
Treeesa

DISCLAIMER: Group organizer and assistant organizer assume no liability; hike at your own risk. By being a member of this group, you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any group functions. You agree that neither you nor any third party will hold the group leader or co leader liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own person or any members of your family, friends, acquaintances, children, pets, or property, arising directly or as a consequence from a group activity. You also agree that your membership of this group is based on an "at will" basis.