Not So Casual Hikes Orange County

Join us for a scenic loop through Crystal Cove in Newport Coast, CA. We'll descend BFI to Moro Canyon, then climb back via Rattlesnake and return along Bommer Ridge. The standard long route is approximately 10 miles and typically takes 3–3.5 hours, depending on pace and breaks. Expect stunning coastal views, open ridgelines, and shaded canyon paths. A shorter ~8-mile variation is also available for those who prefer a lighter day.

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: Pacific Ridge Trailhead, Ridge Park Road, Newport Beach, CA 92657
Meeting Point: Ridge Park Entrance (at the dead end of Ridge Park Road near the trailhead sign)
Parking: Free street parking available
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging, sustained pace
Distance / Elevation: ~10 miles with ~1,800 ft cumulative gain (shorter ~8-mile option with ~1,250 ft cumulative gain available)
Duration: ~3–3.5 hours, depending on pace and breaks
Restrooms: Available at Moro Campground, approximately halfway through the long route.

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: Both routes begin at Ridge Park Entrance and follow Bommer Ridge to Moro Ridge.

Long Route (~10 miles): Continue via Moro Ridge Spur → descend BFI to Moro Canyon → Crystal Cove SP Moro Campground → West Cut Across → Rattlesnake → Red Tail Ridge → return via Bommer Ridge.

Shorter Route (~8 miles): At Moro Ridge, turn onto East Cut Across → Moro Canyon → West Cut Across → Rattlesnake → Red Tail Ridge → return via Bommer Ridge. (Alternate: from Moro Canyon, take Poles up to No Name instead of West Cut Across to Rattlesnake.)

From the Trail:
We also share lessons from the trail in a short Not So Casual Hikes newsletter on training, discipline, and showing up.

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.

Join us for the next hike in our Altitude Series — a structured training track designed to build the endurance, pace, and elevation tolerance needed for high-altitude objectives. Whether you're targeting high-altitude California peaks like San Gorgonio, San Jacinto, and Mt. Whitney, or building toward international treks such as the Dolomites, Inca Trail, or Mont Blanc, this series provides the progressive training foundation to get you there.

This route ascends Bald Peak via the Silverado Motorway, prioritizing sustained elevation gain and continuous uphill movement. It covers approximately 13.5 miles round trip with ~3,320 ft of cumulative gain and typically takes 5.5–6 hours, depending on pace and breaks. Expect a steady climb on rocky terrain, limited shade, and expansive views across the Santa Ana Mountains. By this stage in the series, you should have built a solid aerobic base — Bald Peak is designed to test it with a long, uninterrupted push to the summit.

Who This Hike Is Suited For:

• Hikers comfortable with 10+ mile routes
• Ability to sustain a 3.0–3.1 mph moving pace (~19–20 min/mile) on climbing terrain
• Ability to maintain continuous forward movement for 5–6 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. Admissions are curated based on:

• Prior participation in our Mountain Training Series (now Altitude Series)
• First-hand pace compatibility on comparable hikes
• Demonstrated endurance on sustained elevation routes

This is a performance-based training group. Compatibility in pace and endurance is critical for group flow and safety.

First-Time Participants (Mountain Series)
If you have not previously hiked with us on a comparable route, please message the organizer with the following:

1. Date of your most recent 10+ mile hike
2. Distance, elevation gain, and total completion time
3. Your average moving pace
4. Comparable peaks completed (e.g., San Gorgonio, San Jacinto, Baldy, or longer local routes with sustained gain)
5. Confirmation that you are comfortable sustaining ~3.0–3.1 mph on long climbs for 5+ hours

Comparable experience generally includes recent hikes of 12+ miles with 2,500–3,500 ft gain completed in under 6 hours at sustained pace.

Submission 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.

Details:
Location: 31330 Silverado Canyon Rd, Silverado, CA 92676
Meeting Point: Maple Springs Trailhead / Silverado Canyon Road parking
Parking: Limited near the trailhead; carpooling up Maple Springs Road is encouraged.
Distance / Elevation: ~13.5 miles | ~3,320+ ft gain
Duration: ~5.5-6 hours
Important: A Cleveland National Forest Adventure Pass is required.

Essentials:
• Traction hiking shoes
• Water (minimum 2-3L; electrolytes strongly recommended)
• Fuel for 5–6 hours (salty + carb-based snacks)
• Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
• Hiking poles (recommended for sustained climbing and descent)
• Personal navigation (offline map recommended)

Route:
We’ll begin near the end of Silverado Canyon Road and follow the Silverado Motorway, climbing steadily toward Bald Peak. Elevation gain is continuous with minimal flat recovery. We will turn around near the summit and descend the same way.

AllTrails route info: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/custom-route-f5b65a4?u=i&sh=pxabuh

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.