OUTDOOR CALENDAR

Note:Winter is rainy season. Parks remain closed for two or more days after significant rainfall.

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CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK

Crystal Cove State Park, 8471 N. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, has 3.5 miles of beach and 2,000 acres of undeveloped woodland. $10 day-use parking fee.

The park is open 6 a.m. to sunset daily. Docent-led backcountry hikes are scheduled for most Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m. Hikes are three to five miles and last about two hours.

Note:Hikes meet at one of these locations:

El Moro Visitor Center, “” from Coast Highway, turn inland at the School/State Park light and follow park signs.

Los Trancos “” from Coast Highway, turn inland at Los Trancos. Meet near the trailer.

Pelican Point Lot No. 2 “” From Coast Highway, turn coastward at Newport Coast.

For more information, call (949) 497-7647 or e-mail [email protected].

“¢?Ecology hike, 9 a.m. Saturday. Meet at El Moro Visitor Center.

“¢?Gray Whale Sunday, 9 a.m. Sunday. Meet at Los Trancos.

No reservations are required; for more information, visit www.crystalcovealliance.org

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LAGUNA COAST WILDERNESS PARK

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, 20101 Laguna Canyon Road; reservations and information, (949) 923-2235; www.ocparks.com.

Rangers staff the park daily. Open daily, 7 a.m. to sunset, including holidays. Parking lot hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Willow Canyon on Laguna Canyon Road, just south of the El Toro Road intersection. Open to hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers on specified trails; open 7 a.m. to sunset, but parking lot is only open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., $3.

Dilley Preserve on Laguna Canyon Road, just north of the 73 Toll Road: Open daily 7 a.m. to sunset. Parking $3; lot open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Little Sycamore Canyon on Laguna Canyon Road, just south of the 405 Freeway interchange: The James and Rosemary Nix Nature Center hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; parking $3; lot open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Laguna Heights, the trail head for West Ridge trail and routes into Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, at Top of the World on Alta Laguna Boulevard, is open daily, 7 a.m. to sunset.

“¢?Elder trek, 10 a.m., Saturday.

Enjoy a leisurely, 1-mile hike to Barbara’s Lake with Laguna Canyon Foundation naturalists Annie Stoeckmann and Penny Lewis. Meet at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area, 20101 Laguna Canyon Road. Reservations are suggested, call (949) 923-2235 for directions. Parking is $3.

“¢?Celebrate 2008 in nature, 9 a.m., Saturday.

Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists Penny Lewis and Annie Stoeckmann will lead a moderate, 3.5-mile hike. See nature’s garden following unprecedented drought and recent rainfall. Meet at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Willow Canyon Staging area. For directions or more information, call (949) 923-2235. Parking is $3.

“¢?Birding hike, 8 a.m., Sunday.

Look for early-wintering birds with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalist Paul Klahr. The hike will go through one of the most diverse plant communities in the United States. Binoculars and cameras encouraged. Meet at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Willow Canyon Staging area. For directions or more information, call (949) 923-2235. Parking is $3.

“¢?Fitness hike, 9 a.m., Thursday.

Come raise your heart rate and your spirits on this strenuous, 3.5- to 5-mile hike with Laguna Canyon Foundation naturalist Helen Flanagan. Meet at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, James Dilley Preserve. Reservations are suggested, call (949) 923-2235. Parking is $3.