Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park 28373...
Aliso & 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: On Friday, July 25, Summer Night Bug Lighting,
8 p.m. to 10 p.m., join entomologists to attract, identify and study
insects of the night. $5 per person/$10 per family. Space limited,
reservations lhsmedent@aol.com or (949) 831-3287. Bring flashlight,
magnifying glass, insect field guide book, hat, light jacket, shoes,
no sandals please, no pets.
Nature Discovery Talk: A 30-minute talk held on Saturday, July 26.
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.
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
www.crystalcovestatepark.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: Saturdays and Sundays, July 19, 20, 26, 27 at
9 a.m. join docent-led backcountry hikes. Hikes are 3 to 5 miles and
last about 2 hours. Be sure to bring water and wear hiking boots.
Meet at El Moro Visitors Center (Coast Highway, School-State Park
stoplight).
On Saturday 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 Visitors 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 irvineranch@tnc.org
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 participate in a guided
“drop-in” mountain bike ride that orients new visitors to Laguna
Coast Wilderness Park trails. On Sunday at 8 a.m. enjoy an equestrian
ride through Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. At 4 p.m. on Saturday,
tackle the eight-mile / three-hour AEROBIC hike in Emerald Canyon.
Also on July 26, at 4 p.m., a three-mile / three-hour GEOLOGY hike
through Laurel Canyon. At 8 a.m. on Sunday a two- to three-hour, two-
to three-mile easy walk in Laguna Laurel.
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. Saturday and July 26 at 8 a.m., three and a half-mile guided
hike through Laurel Canyon. Call for reservations. $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 Guinevare Breeding of 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-PARK (7275).
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