About us
Not So Casual Hikes is a high-performance hiking community built around fitness, challenge, and camaraderie. We train hard, move with intention, and hold each other to a standard. The people next to you on the trail are part of what makes the effort worth it.
What started as "Casual Hikes" became something harder to name. A group that kept showing up, kept raising the standard, and eventually stopped being casual about any of it. "Not So Casual" isn't irony. It's what happened.
Two Ways to Train With Us
Sunday hikes are our weekly staple, open to intermediate and advanced hikers ready for a workout-level effort. Expect 9–13 miles, 1,500–2,500+ ft of gain, and a fast-moving group that balances high energy with encouragement. Sub-groups form organically, but the group moves at a steady, moderate-to-fast pace and may not wait if you fall behind. Know your limits and come prepared to hike at this level.
Saturday Altitude Series is a small-group training track for hikers building toward high-altitude objectives: Mount Whitney, international treks, and multi-day alpine routes. Sunday hikes are the natural entry point. Selection is based on firsthand pace compatibility and demonstrated endurance. Hikers new to the group with comparable experience are welcome to reach out directly.
Who Belongs Here
- Intermediate and advanced hikers ready for workout-level pace
- Strength trainers, runners, and endurance athletes who see hiking as cross-training
- Anyone training toward a serious altitude or expedition objective
- People who value standards, consistency, and a group that shows up
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Move with purpose. Connect with people. Leave stronger than you came.
We also publish a newsletter. Field notes on human capacity, written from the trail. Check it out and subscribe if it resonates: https://notsocasualhikes.beehiiv.com
Find us on Strava: Strava Club
Upcoming events
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Altitude Series: Bighorn and Ontario Peak (14.8 mi / 4,668 ft gain)
Ice House Canyon Rd. Mt. Baldy, Ice House Canyon Rd., Mt.Baldy, CA, USJoin us for the next hike in our Altitude Series, a structured training track designed to build the endurance, pace, and elevation tolerance needed for bigger mountain objectives such as San Jacinto, San Gorgonio, and Mt. Whitney.
This route ascends Bighorn Peak (8,441 ft) and Ontario Peak (8,696 ft) via Icehouse Canyon, two of the tallest and most prominent peaks in the Angeles National Forest. The trail climbs through Icehouse Canyon to Icehouse Saddle before following the Ontario Peak Trail along a long ridge connecting both summits. The hike covers approximately 14.8 miles round trip with 4,668 ft of cumulative elevation gain and typically takes 7–8 hours depending on pace and breaks. Expect sustained climbing and a long descent back through the canyon.
Here’s the full activity from our recent Altitude Series benchmarks, including all splits and details, to give a clear sense of how each day flows:
[Altitude Series] Cucamonga Peak | Benchmark 1 | NSC | Hike | Strava
[Altitude Series] Mt. Baden-Powell | Benchmark 2 | NSC | Hike | StravaWho This Hike Is Suited For:
- Hikers comfortable with 10+ mile routes
- Ability to sustain a steady climbing pace on long uphill terrain
- Ability to maintain continuous forward movement for 7–8 hours
- Experience fueling and hydrating during extended efforts
Group Size & Admission Policy: Group size is intentionally limited to maintain safety, cohesion, and steady mountain pacing on long, sustained routes.
All hikers will initially be placed on the waitlist. Admission is based on pace compatibility and experience with sustained elevation routes.
First-Time Participants (Altitude Series):
If you have not previously hiked with us on a comparable route, please message the organizer with:1. Date of your most recent 10+ mile hike
2. Distance, elevation gain, and completion time
3. Your average moving pace
4. Comparable peaks or routes completedSubmission of this information does not guarantee admission. We intend to keep the group intentionally small and will admit hikers off the waitlist as space allows, based on overall pace compatibility and training alignment.
Trailhead: Icehouse Canyon Trailhead
Parking: Icehouse Canyon Parking Lot (Adventure Pass required)Route Map:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/bighorn-peak-and-ontario-peak?u=i&sh=pxabuhEssentials:
• Water (3-3.5L; electrolytes recommended)
• Snacks/fuel
• Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
• Hiking poles (recommended, especially for the descent)
• Extra layers for summit conditionsNote on Punctuality & RSVP: Please be on time — we’ll wait up to 5 minutes past the start. If you’re running late, you can post your ETA in the event discussion, but the group may still begin without you. If your plans change, please update your RSVP — it helps us know who to expect on the trail.
Disclaimer & Safety Notice: Not So Casual Hikes are challenging outings designed for hikers in strong shape who know their limits and show up prepared. Organizers are volunteers—not guides—and cannot be responsible for your pace, navigation, or safety. We hike at a steady pace and the group may spread out. Please be prepared to navigate independently if you fall behind, though we’ll aim to check in at major junctions when possible. By signing up, you accept full responsibility for your fitness, gear, hydration, and navigation, and agree to hold harmless the Organizer, Co-Organizer, Assistant Organizers, and fellow participants for any incidents or injuries. Participation also means you agree to Meetup’s Terms of Service. Hiking carries inherent risks, including trip/fall injuries, bee stings, poison oak, ticks, snakes, coyotes, or mountain lions. Be prepared for sun exposure, heat, or marine layer conditions depending on the day.
9 attendees
Rock It, Top of the World, Canyon Acres (~8.5-10 Mi, Moderate to Fast Pace)
Canyon View Park, 22144 Canyon Vistas, Aliso Viejo, CA, USJoin us for a scenic loop through Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. We’ll start with a steady climb up Rock It Trail to Top of the World, then return along West Ridge and Lynx. The standard loop is approximately 8.5 miles and typically takes 3–3.5 hours, depending on pace and breaks. Expect rolling ridges, canyon views, and a good mix of climbs and descents. Since this loop is shorter than our usual routes, we’ll offer a longer option via Canyon Acres for those who want to push closer to 10 miles. It’s also a good opportunity to train with a weighted ruck for anyone looking to build extra endurance.
Please Note: Not So Casual means our hikes double as a workout — brisk pace, solid climbs, and an endurance challenge paired with a friendly, supportive group vibe. Come prepared with gear, water, and your best effort, and you’ll fit right in. The group moves at a steady, moderate-to-fast pace and may not wait if you fall behind, so please know your limits and be ready to hike at this level — or plan to finish on your own, ideally by pairing up with someone at a similar pace.
Details:
Location: Canyon View Park, Aliso Viejo, California
Meeting Point: Canyon View Staging Area
Parking: Free street parking available nearby
Difficulty: Moderate due to elevation and sustained pace
Distance / Elevation: ~8.5 miles with ~2,000 ft cumulative gain (closer to 10 miles if we extend via Canyon Acres)Essentials:
• Traction hiking shoes
• Water (at least 1.5L; electrolytes recommended)
• Light snacks
• Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
• Hiking poles (recommended if you normally use them)Route:
We’ll start at Canyon View Staging Area and follow Wood Canyon Trail past Wood Canyon Creek toward Coyote Run. Continue along Coyote Run to Rock It, then climb to Top of the World via West Ridge. We’ll return along West Ridge, descend Lynx to rejoin Wood Canyon Trail, and finish at Canyon Vistas.Longer Route Option (~10 miles)
For those interested in a longer day, we’ll continue farther on Canyon Acres before turning back, bringing the total distance closer to 10 miles.From the Trail: There's more happening on these hikes than the mileage. We write about it in our newsletter: https://notsocasualhikes.beehiiv.com/
Note on Punctuality & RSVP: Please be on time — we’ll wait up to 5 minutes past the start. If you’re running late, you can post your ETA in the event discussion, but the group may still begin without you. If your plans change, please update your RSVP — it helps us know who to expect on the trail.
Disclaimer & Safety Notice: Not So Casual Hikes are challenging outings designed for hikers in strong shape who know their limits and show up prepared. Organizers are volunteers—not guides—and cannot be responsible for your pace, navigation, or safety. We hike at a steady pace and the group may spread out. Please be prepared to navigate independently if you fall behind, though we’ll aim to check in at major junctions when possible. By signing up, you accept full responsibility for your fitness, gear, hydration, and navigation, and agree to hold harmless the Organizer, Co-Organizer, Assistant Organizers, and fellow participants for any incidents or injuries. Participation also means you agree to Meetup’s Terms of Service. Hiking carries inherent risks, including trip/fall injuries, bee stings, poison oak, ticks, snakes, coyotes, or mountain lions. Be prepared for sun exposure, heat, or marine layer conditions depending on the day.
3 attendees
Past events
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