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Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park 28373...

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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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