Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park 28373...
Aliso and
Wood Canyons
Wilderness Park
28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel
Park Information: (949) 923-2200 or www.ocparks.com.
The park is open daily, year round, 7 a.m. to sunset for hiking,
bicycling and equestrian use. Parking $2. No dogs.
Special Activities: Nature Discovery Talks. Learn about the
canyons’ history, plants, animals and trails. Meet at noon in front
of the Natural History Museum at the entrance to the Park. Join the
30-minute talks held on the second and fourth Saturday, July 12 and
July 26. Opportunities for special hiking programs can be arranged by
calling Ranger Carroll at (949) 923-2299.
The Orange County Natural History Museum is located at the Park
entrance, open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For
more information: (949) 831-3287 or www.ocnha.mus.ca.us.
Crystal Cove
State Park
8471 Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach Park
Conditions: (949) 494-3539; Interpretive Programs (949) 497-7647
State Web site www.parks.ca.gov local Web site www.crystalcove
statepark.com
The park is open daily, year round, 6 a.m. to sunset for hiking,
bicycling and equestrian use. The park includes backcountry, bluff
top and beach areas with access at different points. Parking $5. Dogs
are allowed only on paved paths above the beach.
Special Activities: Every weekend at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday
join docent-led backcountry hikes. Hikes are three to five miles and
last about two hours. Be sure to bring water and wear hiking boots.
Meet at El Moro Visitors Center (Coast Highway, School-State Park
stoplight).
On Saturday explore coastal marine life with a Tide pool Walk at 9
am. Meet at Pelican Point parking lot No. 2 (Newport Coast Entrance).
Enjoy a Historic District Cottage tour on Saturday, July 12 at 10
a.m. Meet at the Los Trancos parking lot by the trailer. Also on
Saturday, July 12 join a full moon backcountry hike led by nocturnal
animal expert Stephanie Remington. Reservations are required as space
is limited.
On July 16, something new, a Stroller Strut with Park Interpreter
Winter Bonnin at 10 a.m. Yes, just as it sounds for the stroller,
kids and mom. Meet at the Pelican Point parking lot No. 2 (Newport
Cost Entrance).
On July 19, Rick Behl conducts an informative slide show followed
by a sunset geology walk along the beach. Meet at 6 p.m. at the
Historic District Visitor Center. Park across the street at Los
Trancos.
El Moro Visitors Center is open Tuesday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1
p.m. and Saturday 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Crystal Cove Historic District Visitors Center is open 10 a.m. to
4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Crystal Cove Interpretive Assn. welcomes new volunteers, call
(949) 497-7648.
The Irvine Ranch
Land Reserve
The Nature Conservancy (714) 832-7478 or [email protected]
Participants meet at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Headquarters on
Laguna Canyon Road just south of the El Toro Road intersection. All
tours are free, but require reservations!
Special Activities: At 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sunday, July 12 and 13
participate in guided “drop-in” mountain bike ride that orients new
visitors to Laguna Coast Wilderness Park trails. Enjoy 6- to 10-mile,
two-hour, “Third Thursday” Mountain Bike Ride on July 17 at 8 a.m.
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park 20101 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna
Beach (949)923-2235 or www.ocparks.com, nonprofit support group Web
sites www.lagunacanyon.org and www.lagunagreenbelt.org
Call the rangers and ask about special group hikes for schools,
scouts and other organizations and clubs. Parking Fee $2. No dogs.
Wilderness access: Willow Canyon Staging Area every Saturday and
Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 20101 Laguna Canyon Road just south of El
Toro Road intersection. Open for hiker, equestrian and mountain
bicyclist access on specified trails without guides.
Jim Dilley Staging Area every Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4
p.m. for hikers only on specified trails without guides. On Laguna
Canyon Road just north of the 73 Toll road. Trails include Barbara’s
Lake, the largest of the Laguna Lakes, Orange County’s only natural
lakes.
Special Activities: Guided hikes in Laurel and Emerald Canyons by
Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. volunteers, meet at Willow Canyon Staging
Area. Every Saturday at 8 a.m., 3.5-mile guided hike through Laurel
Canyon. Special full moon Laurel Canyon loop hike Saturday, July 12
at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 13 at 7:30 a.m., six-mile, three-hour Emerald
Canyon loop hike. Call for reservations. There is $2 donation per
hiker.
Laguna Heights: Open daily year round, 7 a.m. to sunset. Trailhead
for West Ridge trail and other trails into Aliso and Wood Canyons
Wilderness Park.
Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. welcomes volunteers, call 949-497-8190 for
more information or at www.lagunagreenbelt.org.
* Activities compiled by Marla Smith, LAGUNA CANYON FOUNDATION, a
nonprofit corporation dedicated to preserving, enhancing and
protecting Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and the adjacent coastal
canyon parks. For more information check out www.lagunacanyon.org or
(949) 855-PARK (7275).
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