About us
✨PRIORITIZE FITNESS & FUN IN 2026✨
PLEASE READ ALL OF THE "ABOUT" AND PLEASE ADD AN IDENTIFYING PHOTO OF YOURSELF IN ORDER TO BE APPROVED FOR MEMBERSHIP (NO FEES OR DUES, EVER).
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PURPOSE
The purpose of this group is to make available hiking and walking activities locally and in other nearby locations for new and experienced persons to enjoy and feel safe on the trail as a group. Most hikes are local, weekly and average 2-3 hours, so it's convenient, won't take up the entire day and you’ll get your STEPS IN!
Meetup Hiking groups are a terrific way to get out of the house, be active and make new friends, especially after the covid lockdowns and the rise in computer use and social media, which lacks actually bringing people together physically.
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SCOPE
Local, surrounding areas and some out of area hikes are scouted and scheduled. Many are noted as “Stroller Friendly” or “Dog Friendly”.
South Orange County hikes have averaged about 5-7 miles 2-3 hours. Longer hikes are scheduled at Casper Wilderness, Cleveland National Forest, and others out of area, 8-15 miles with elevation gain from 800-2400+.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY MORNINGS, INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED INTERMEDIATE HIKES
- Saturday Hikes 3-4X Per Month & Sunday Hikes 4-6X per year.
- Intermediate Local Hikes on Saturdays, 5-6 miles, approximately 700-1000 feet or less of elevation gain.
- Advanced Intermediate & Out-of-Area Hikes on Sundays, 7-15 miles, approximately 800-2400(+) feet of elevation gain. The longer the distance, the elevation gain will be more moderate.
THURSDAY MORNING HIKES RESUME IN FEBRUARY 2026, 5-6 miles, Flat to 900 feet or less of elevation gain.
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RESPONSIBILITY
It is the responsibility of Myself, the Leadership Team and all Members to practice safe trail habits and respect others in order to make the hikes enjoyable and fun. Bring witty humor, “Dad jokes”, amusing anecdotes, knowledge of birds and trail critters, or other trail knowledge.
Sincerely,
Christine "Likes Chrysathemums"
Feature photo: Colinas Bluff 2023, by Christine
Upcoming events
9
BANFF Film Festival with the Sierra Club's Wilderness Travel Course
Robert B. Moore Theater Orange Coast College, 2701, Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, CA, USHello Meetup Friends :) !
Tuesday March 10, 7:00-9:00PM
I am going to the Banff Film Festival with the Sierra Club's Wilderness Travel Course Meetup group!
Robert B. Moore Theater Orange Coast College
2701, Fairview Road · Costa Mesa, CAYou cannot sign up from my group, but please click on THIS LINK so you can sign up on their group! You will see I have RSVPed to go with others.
Find their link for presale tickets $17, or $20 at the door.
Here is a link for the TRAILER video.
Message me in the comments here if you have any questions.
The BANFF Centre Mountain Film festival is a prestigious, annual international event held in Banff, Alberta, celebrating films, books, and documentaries focused on mountain culture, adventure, and exploration. It showcases top outdoor films, with a world tour visiting over 40 countries and 550,000+ people annually.
2 attendees
345-Turtle Rock “ULTRA” French Hill Loop, Irvine, 4.5-5 Mi, Thursday 8:00 AM
1 Concordia, Irvine, CA, USTURTLE ROCK “ULTRA” FRENCH HILL LOOP, 4.5-5 MILES, 800’ gain, 8:00 AM
MEET AT 1 CONCORDIA, IRVINE, CA
Meet on Concordia street across from Turtle Rock PreschoolRepeats the 2nd and 4th Thursday morning each month. Dog friendly.
Please join me for this 2026 challenge 😅!
What makes this version of Turtle Rock French Hill Loop “ULTRA” :) ?!!!THREE of the HILLS are being REPEATED!
- The first steep hill from Concordia, X2
- The next steep hill before the gazebo, X2
- The last big hill, the Turtle Rock, X2
This is sort of a trial hike. I am seeking to improve my uphill speed over time by doing this. I’m estimating it can be completed in about 2.5-3 hours.
I will still schedule the “regular” French Hill Loop on several Saturdays throughout the year. The ULTRA may become 2X per month on Thursday mornings or Sunday afternoons, TBD.
This is one of my favorite conditioning hikes. There are a few steep places, but they are not too long, and one technical hill where one needs to choose a path, use hands and watch footing.
There is an easier alternative path around the fourth technical hill, if desired.See my YouTube video below with highlights of the trail.
We'll start at the trailhead off Concordia across the street from Turtle Rock Preschool. Here is the first big hill, a second hill comes within the next mile, but both of these hills are not long. From there it's lower "rolling hills" not too steep. In the spring there is very tall mustard on either side of the trail, it's very beautiful and exhilarating to hike through. By about mile 2 the trail passes behind residential for less than a mile, then up narrow, slightly steep hill.
The fourth and most challenging hill comes next, steep and wide, but it's a slow and steady climb with plenty of places to navigate and get your foothold. At the top of this hill you can see all of downtown Irvine and Catalina Island out yonder. The last mile~ish is the end of the dirt trail, and back to residential which closes the loop at Concordia.
CHECKLIST:
- SHOES W/GOOD TREAD, PREFERABLY HIKING BOOTS
- 1-2 LITERS OF WATER
- HAT, GLOVES
- SNACKS optionalMore specific stats and Feature Image from All Trails, see link:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/turtle-rock-french-hill-loop-irvine*MY YOUTUBE VIDEO from when I hiked April 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rK_chjwdy3Y——————————————————-
Release Statement: Outdoor sports and activities are rewarding and pleasant, but there are certain dangers you should be reminded of, such as accidental injury, that simply happen in life. Practicing safety is priority.
By signing up for events in this Meetup group, you assume the risks of the outing and agree to release the organization, the event organizer and other participants from claims for any and all injuries or other losses sustained during any event.2 attendees
346-Woods End Trail to Barbara's Lake, Aliso Viejo, 5 mi, 8:30AM
Hummingbird Park, 21933 Aliso Creek Rd, Aliso Viejo, CA, USWOODS END TRAIL TO BARBARA'S LAKE LOOP, 5 Miles, aprx 650 eg, 8:30 AM
21933 Aliso Creek Road, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 (at Hummingbird Lane)PARK ON HUMMINGBIRD LANE next to the Park, right off Aliso Creek Road, then we'll walk together to the trailhead, which is very close at Aliso Creek and El Toro Road. There's a very clean port-a-potty at Hummingbird Park if needed before we hit the trail. Sorry, no dogs aloud on this trail.
This trail was closed for several weeks and recently had maintenance done, so I can’t wait to see the improvement**!**
Woods End Trail:
- to Ridge Top Trail, and beyond. We’ll take on Sunflower and Black Jack trails for a bit of a workout. Great views and we'll pass by Barbara's Lake!The first 1/2 mile gain is approximately 300 feet and is a bit rocky at times, however it's a pretty wide trail that intermittently smooths out and gets rocky again, smooth, rocky, smooth, rocky :) The transition to Canyon trail takes us back down into a canyon and is mostly flat, however beautiful, with some trees and other foliage. Once at Black Jack Trail it is steep uphill for about 1/4 mile or less - views from the point are spectacular.
HIKERS CHECKLIST
- WATER AND SNACKS
- WEAR SHOES OR BOOTS WITH GOOD TREAD
- HAT AND SUNSCREEN RecommendedFeatured photo: Visit Laguna Beach
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Release Statement: Outdoor sports and activities are rewarding and pleasant, but there are certain dangers you should be reminded of, such as accidental injury, that simply happen in life. Practicing safety is priority.
By signing up for events in this Meetup group, you assume the risks of the outing and agree to release the organization, the event organizer and other participants from claims for any and all injuries or other losses sustained during any event.2 attendees
347-Shady Canyon, Irvine Open Space Preserve, 5-6 Miles, 6:00 PM
39 Shady Canyon Dr, Irvine, CA, USMEET AT QUAIL HILL COMMUNITY CENTER PARKING LOT, near the community center steps, 6:00 PM
39 Shady Canyon Dr · Irvine, CAStroller & Dog Friendly, Apprx 5-6 Miles.
An out and back with the option to turn-around at Turtle Rock Park or Bommer Canyon Trailhead.Shady Canyon is a popular, scenic and slightly hilly trail filled with beautiful views, meadows, wildlife and charming bridges (some residential). The trail is part of Irvine Ranch, and meanders through the Quail Hill Preserve.
HIKER'S CHECKLIST:
- 1-2 Liters of Water
- Wear shoes or hiking boots with good tread
- Flashlight or Headlamp recommended
- Hat, Coat and/or Gloves recommended seasonally
- Bug Repellent or Sunscreen recommended seasonallyTrail Link
https://www.traillink.com/trail/shady-canyon-trail/Feature photo from The Irvine Standard
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Release Statement: Outdoor sports and activities are rewarding and pleasant, but there are certain dangers you should be reminded of, such as accidental injury, that simply happen in life. Practicing safety is priority.By signing up for events in this Meetup group, you assume the risks of the outing and agree to release the organization, the event organizer and other participants from claims for any and all injuries or other losses sustained during any event.
2 attendees
Past events
377
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