Mary’s and West Coast Canyon Trail, Laguna Beach

Hello everyone!

Thank you for your patience! It’s been a bit of a rough summer for me, including some construction at my house and a really, really bad back strain that I’m just coming out of. That’s why I haven’t been able to schedule any events until now.

Now that I’m able to do another hike, let’s check out this new (to me) hiking spot, suggested by one of our members!

This hike can be found on All Trails.

I haven’t been there myself, yet. The All Trails site tells us:
* There is a parking lot to meet in called “Nature Center Parking Lot” on Google Maps
* It is an easy trail—sounds nice to get our little group going again!
* There doesn’t appear to be a lot of shade, which is why I’ve moved the meeting time up from our usual leisurely 9AM, to 8AM.
* However it says it’s only 2.4 miles, although apparently it has views of the Irvine Valley—so there may in fact be a few hills.
* NO DOGS ALLOWED according to AllTrails. So, please do not bring a dog on this gathering, except of course for service (not emotional support) dogs.
* Because this is a nature appreciation hike, please do not bring radios or loud children, or children under the age of 8.

IMPORTANT!
* I am not a professional trail guide nor am I a medical person. Everyone who participates does so at their own risk and is responsible for their individual self.
* KNOW YOUR FITNESS and physical limitations before choosing this hike!
* Stay on trail at all times. Going off trail is dangerous for you and wildlife, as well as destructive to the landscape; and it will not be tolerated in this group. Same goes for littering. Also (regarding the wildlife), the AllTrails photo gallery includes one that someone took of a rattlesnake on the trail. Rattlesnakes don’t want to bite you; but they will self protect when startled, so we all need to keep a lookout. It’s a good idea to stay away from brush and bushes, and do a tick check when you get home, just in case.
* BRING: Everything you need to be safe and comfortable, including good hiking shoes, appropriate hiking clothes, lots of water, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, snacks, bug spray, day hiking pack.

GETTING THERE:

Google Maps gives the coordinates for our meeting location as:
33.607610, -117.763230

From 405 you get off at the 133 southwest towards Laguna Beach.
You go 3 miles and then turn right into Nix Nature Center.

We’ll meet in the parking lot and plan to start meandering down the trail by around 8:15.
If you are running late: Please know that I don’t have MeetUp on my phone, so I will not receive any messages you send there. So if you are running late, lost etc; please TEXT ME at 562-243-9963.

COFFEE MEETUP AFTERWARDS!
So I’ve looked around and I haven’t been able to locate a coffee place in Laguna Woods that meets our requirements: Outdoor seating; decent parking; at least some food menu; and not a huge chain like S***bucks or etc.

So we’ll return to:
The Lost Bean
4632 Barranca
Irvine CA
We’ll meet there whenever our meander comes to a natural end and it becomes coffee time.