Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park...

Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel Park Information: (949)

831-2790 or www.ocparks.com The park is open at 7 a.m. to sunset

daily, year round for hiking, bicycling and equestrian use. Early

morning and the hour before sunset are great times to enjoy the

trails in the summer. Parking $2. Don’t forget the Orange County

Natural History Museum for live reptile exhibits and archeological

displays. It is located at the park entrance and open from 11 a.m. to

5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Information: (949) 831-3287 or

www.ocnha.mus.ca.us.

Crystal Cove State Park

8471 Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach

(949) 494-3539 Park Conditions 949-497-7647 Interpretive Program

www.crystalcovestatepark.com or www.parks.ca.gov The park is open

daily, year round, 6 a.m. to sunset for hiking, bicycling and

equestrian use. Parking $3.

Special Activities:

Astronomy Night, at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday join the Orange County

Astronomers Association for viewing the night sky. Bring a mug for

hot chocolate and a chair. Park and meet at the El Moro Visitor

Center. Cloudy skies cancel the star story, but the park staff will

interpret the nocturnal park life.

On Aug. 3, 4 and 10 meet at the El Moro Visitor Center promptly at

9 a.m. for Backcountry Hikes. Hikes are three to five miles and last

about two hours. Be sure to bring water and wear hiking boots.

On Aug. 10: Historic District Walking Tour at 10 a.m.; and at 7

p.m. meet at the Historic District for a geology slide and talk

followed by a walk along the beach to the geologic formations at

Rocky Bight. Bring a flashlight. Park at Los Trancos lot for both

events.

El Moro Visitor Center is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and

Sundays and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Crystal Cove Historic District Visitor Center open 10 a.m. to 4

p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Crystal Cove Interpretive Association welcomes new volunteers,

call (949) 497-7648.

The Irvine Ranch Land Reserve

The Nature Conservancy (714) 832-7478

All participants meet at the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

headquarters on Laguna Canyon Road just south of the El Toro Road

intersection. All tours are free, but require reservations.

Activities: Drop In mountain bike ride at Laguna Coast Wilderness

Park, 8 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 4 and 11. Hike Shady Canyon, Serrano Ridge

and Laguna Coast Wilderness Park at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10. The

five-hour hike covers about 11 miles.

Laguna Coast

Wilderness Park

20101 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach

(949) 494-9352 or www.ocparks.com

Call the rangers and ask about special group hikes for schools,

scouts and other organizations and clubs. Parking Fee $2.

Wilderness Access: From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday

at Willow Canyon Road staging area on 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 Greenbelt Preserve: From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every

Saturday and Sunday. Hikers only on specified trails without guides.

Trails include Barbara’s Lake, the largest of the Laguna Lakes.

Guided hikes in Laurel Canyon: Every Saturday at 8 a.m., 3.5-mile

guided hike by Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. volunteers. Call for

reservations and there is $2 donation per hiker.

Laguna Heights: Open from 7 a.m. to sunset daily year round.

Trailhead for West Ridge trail and other trails into Aliso and Wood

Canyons Wilderness Park.

Volunteers are the spirit of the park, join the Wilderness Access

Volunteers (WAVs) training class from 9 to 11 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4

by Laguna Greenbelt Inc. Call for more information, (949) 494-9352.

* Activities compiled by Mary Fegraus from the 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) 855-7275 (PARK).