My Hike Habit OC

COLINAS BLUFF - To Peppertree, Bring a Painted Rock (optional), 5-7 Mi, 9:00 AM

Approximately 2.5-3 hours. We’ll go down Shea to Peppertree to see the Rock Snake and the Hen House :) ! From there we’ll either go up the vacant lot if it’s still open or just backtrack.

MEET: 30211 Golden Lantern, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(Marina Hills Drive and Golden Lantern)
MEET AT THE PATIO NEXT TO STARBUCKS
DOG FRIENDLY!

REPEATS
THE FIRST SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH, Three Route Choices, mix/alt:

• Peppertree to Rock Snake
• To Big Hill and Back
• Pass Big Hill to Ocean View and Back

The hike averages 2.5 hours, (600-800 feet elevation gain). Three Alternatives are to the Big Hill, past the Big Hill to Ocean View or down to the Rock Snake on Peppertree.

On the Bluff Trail, the first 2 miles~ish the trail has slight gain and is alongside residential. It's a beautiful dirt trail with epic views of the surrounding area, Santiago Peak and I-5. Peppertree Alt at about mile 2 goes downhill, switchbacks then up a slightly steep dirt lot. To or past the Big Hill has an option to go around the Big Hill, hiker’s choice, we still can come back together within 10 minutes and proceed to Ocean View. OR from Shea Trail down to Peppertree to see Rock Snake!

PLEASE BRING:

- 1-2 LITERS OF WATER
- HAT AND SUNSCREEN
- WEAR SHOES OR BOOTS WITH GOOD TREAD
- A Painted Rock if you desire :)

TURTLE ROCK FRENCH HILL LOOP, 4.5 MILES, apprx 800’ gain, 8:30 AM
MEET AT 1 CONCORDIA, IRVINE, CA
Meet on Concordia street across from Turtle Rock Preschool

Dog friendly.

This hike can be completed in about 2 hours depending on the pace we keep and how long we admire the views on top of Turtle Rock :) !!!

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 optional

BOMMER CANYON FROM TURTLE ROCK PARK, 6 MI, apprx 700 gain, 9:00AM
MEET AT 1 Sunnyhill, Irvine, CA 92603 PARKING LOT
Near the Tennis Courts, Playground and Community Center

We will hike to Bommer Canyon from Turtle Rock Park. From the trailhead: Bommer Meadow Trail to the Nature Loop, to Bommer Canyon, through Bommer Cattle Camp (featured photo) to East Fork, then to Ridge Route. The views are impressive! Approximately 6 miles and aprx 700 feet of elevation gain.