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
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383-Bommer Canyon to Ridge Route from Turtle Rock Pk, Irvine 6 Mi, 9:00AM
Turtle Rock Community Park, 1 Sunnyhill, Irvine, CA, USBOMMER 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 CenterWe 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.
See YouTube video from The Hiking Guy - Give him a LIKE and SUBSCRIBE!
Sorry, Dogs are not permitted on trails in the Bommer Canyon Preserve.
Rangers from the Irvine Ranch Conservancy are present the 3rd weekend of each month so they will be there this Saturday.
HIKERS CHECKLIST
-1-2 LITERS OF WATER
-HIKING BOOTS WITH GOOD TREAD
-HAT, GLOVES, LAYERSFeature Image: City of Irvine
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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.
7 attendees
384-Turtle Rock, French Hill Loop, Irvine, After 🦃, 4.5 Miles, 8:30 AM
1 Concordia, Irvine, CA, USTURTLE 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 PreschoolDog 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 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.1 attendee
385-Volcan Mountain 5.5 Mi & Lunch in DT Julian, Carpool 7AM, Trailhead 9:30 AM
Volcan Mountain Trailhead, 1107 Farmer Rd, Julian, CA 92036, USA, Julian, CA, USVolcan Mountain 5.5 Mi, apprx 1200 feet of elevation gain, plus Lunch in Downtown Julian
Carpool 7AM, Trailhead 9:30 AMPlease read the description :) !
It’s a beautiful drive to Julian!
We will Hike at 9:30-12:30, then head to Downtown Julian to get Lunch around 1PM, & Apple Pie!, then mill around until 4:00/4:30, which gets us back to the Jeffrey Park & Ride by 6:30/7:00 PM.Julian, California, is a major early-milestone resupply and rest town for Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) thru-hikers. We may see some section hikers in town.
CARPOOL MEET AT JEFFREY PARK & RIDE 7:00 AM:
- 7:00 AM, Carpool Option, from Irvine area, meet at the Jeffrey Park & Ride, 5595 Walnut Ave, Irvine CA 92618, safe parking, no fee. I can take 4 more hikers in my car.
OR MEET AT TRAILHEAD 9:30 AM:
- 9:30 AM Trailhead, meet at Volcan Mountain Trailhead, 1107 Farmer Rd, Julian, CA 92036. There’s no parking lot, park on the wide shoulder along the road.
The Climb: The hike starts from the staging area near Farmer Road, passing through a decorative gateway. We will divert onto the Five Oaks Trail, a scenic single-track path, slightly gentler, shaded grade through oak groves and chaparral.
Flora & Fauna: The trail transitions through mixed conifer forests, manzanitas, and an impressive variety of native oak species (including coast live oak, black oak, and canyon oak).
Historic Ruins: Near the upper portion, you will pass the historic stone ruins of the Volcan Mountain Observatory Outpost (tested as a site for the Hale Telescope between 1928 and 1932 before it moved to Palomar Mountain).
The Summit: The top features open grassy slopes, a landmark survey benchmark, an old beacon tower, and a memorial bench offering panoramic 360-degree views stretching from the Salton Sea and desert east all the way to Catalina Island and the coast on clear days.
See highlights of the trail on YouTube. Please give Cris the Hiking Guy a thumbs up on his video :) 👍🏻!
HIKERS CHECKLIST
-1-2 LITERS OF WATER REQUIRED
-HIKING BOOTS W/GOOD TREAD REQUIRED
-HAT, GLOVES, LAYERS
-SNACKS
-Hiking Poles optional——————————————————-
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.5 attendees
000-Switzer Falls, Angeles Forest, Azusa, CA, 10 mi/ Check Spring 2026
Red Box Picnic Area, Forest Rte 2N24, Palmdale, CA, USThe Bear Canyon Trail leading down to the falls is closed.
Hello Meetup Friends on the Switzer Falls Waitlist :) !
I don’t feel confident this area is safe enough to hike yet.
I’ve seen some YouTube videos from the past 6 months and as recent as September, verifying a sign is up blocking the trail (picture added) so there is no access to the falls, a high fine for those attempting to walk through.
There is also mention of poison oak and rattlesnakes which we’re used to, but I’m guessing there could be more because of less traffic and possibly no trail maintenance.
I will revisit this in the spring to see if it has improved.
CANCELLED from FEB due to EATON FIRE and potential closures. WILL RESCHEDULE and Check trail info later.
2/18/25 Update
Eaton fire closures through December 2025. See link and map.Switzer Falls, Angeles Forest, Azusa, CA, 10 mi
Haramokngna American Indian Culture Center to Switzer Falls, 7:45AMWe can check out the Indian Culture Center after hike before going home.
Feature photo: Outdoor SoCal
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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.1 attendee
Past events
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