Hike the Ramakrishna Monastery loop to a Sunday Brunch atop Vista Point

ABOUT THE HIKE: We will be hiking to Ramakrishna Monastery and taking a one mile loop past a series of multi-denominational religious shrines.... and then on to Vista Point, a scenic overlook with magnificent 360 degree views of Saddleback Mountain, Oso Reservoir, and the ocean... then enjoying a lovely potluck picnic including your favorite beverages at a couple of mountain top picnic tables. Spending a hour with hiking friends at the picnic, we head back down to the trail head parking area.
We will be hiking in the Vedanta Wilderness area of O'Neill Regional Park's 4,000 acres, situated in beautiful Trabuco and Live Oak Canyons. The park is heavily wooded with coastal live oak and sycamore trees. The hillsides surrounding the park are filled with cactus, wild buckwheat, sagebrush and chaparral of scrub oak, buckthorn and mountain mahogany. Trabuco and Hickey Creeks also meander through the park, flowing in winter and early spring.

HIKE DETAILS:
Distance: Round trip approximately four miles
Speed: Moderate, less than 3 mi/hr
Duration including picnic: Around three hours
Difficulty: This hike is advanced beginner with some steep sections. Trekking poles are suggested. We hike as a group with a sweep.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL NOTE: We will be visiting a functioning monastery, not a tourist attraction. As such, we will be extremely respectful and quiet when passing through the monastery grounds.

OUR PICNIC: It's a Sunday Brunch potluck, so bring your favorite refreshments to share with others on the hike. Our picnic area at Vista Point has two picnic tables and several benches for seating (but no bathroom). Whatever is put on the tables gets shared including food and beverages in what turns into a "tasting." After the trek up the trail, hikers tend to be both happy to be at the top and hungry. It is often amazing to see the delectables that emerge from hiker backpacks!

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: From I 5 (north or south), exit at El Toro heading northeast approximately 5.5 miles (pass under the 241 toll road and pass the traffic light at Glenn Ranch).... turn right at the next light at Valley Vista.... the road sharp-turns to the right onto Meadow Ridge.... follow it to the end.... park on Meadow Ridge Drive and walk to the Live Oak trail head. Do not park on the residential side streets. There are no restrooms at this parking location.

GPS address: 2 Chisholm Trail, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679

DISCLAIMER: Group organizer and assistant organizers assume no liability; hike at your own risk. By being a member of this group you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any and all group functions. You agree that neither you nor any third party will hold any of the group's leaders, officers, or representatives liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own person or any members of your family, friends, acquaintances, children, pets, or property, arising directly or as a consequence from a group activity. You also agree that your membership of this group is based on an "at will" basis.