Wilderness park backcountry can be closed for...

Wilderness park backcountry can be closed for two or more days after

significant rainfall. Call to check accessibility.

Aliso and Wood

Wilderness hikes

The 4,000-acre Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, at 28373

Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel, is open from 7 a.m. to sunset daily

for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Parking is $3.

The ranger gives a free 30- to 45-minute discovery nature hike

suitable for all ages on the second and fourth Saturday of the month.

Meet at noon at the park entrance.

Located at the entrance is the Orange County Natural History

Museum; call before visiting to confirm it’s open.

For information, call (949) 831-3287.

Natural history lectures are held at 7 p.m. the second Wednesday

of each month at Acorn Naturalists, 1255 El Camino Real, Tustin. On

May 11 Steve Boyd will discuss Southern California wildflowers. For

information, call (800) 422-8886.

No dogs allowed. For information, call (949) 923-2200.

Backcountry hikes

at Crystal Cove

Crystal Cove State Park, 8471 Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach,

has 3.5 miles of beach and 2,000 acres of undeveloped woodland.

The park is open 6 a.m. to sunset daily. Due to recent rains, the

backcountry is open only for hiking until further notice.

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.

Special Activities: Meet at El Moro Visitors Center for a 3 to 5

mile backcountry hike at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sunday and May 8. Meet at

Pelican Point parking lot #2 for a tide pool walk at 11 a.m. Sunday.

For more information, call the El Moro Visitor Center (949)

640-5220.

Historic Cottage Tour

Take a walk through the 12-acre Historic District at Crystal Cove

State Park at 10 a.m. May 14. The tour will feature long-time

residents sharing stories about the historic cottages and a glimpse

into the transformation that is presently taking place in order to

make the cottages available for public enjoyment. The tour will meet

by the trailer at the Los Trancos parking lot, Pacific Coast Highway

and Los Trancos. The cost for entrance is a $10.00 day-use fee.

Information: (949) 497-7647.

California’s Natural History

Local biologist and author Alan Schoenherr will speak about the

reptiles and amphibians of Crystal Cove State Park at 7 p.m. May 18

at the Los Trancos park office, Pacific Coast Highway at Los Trancos.

The cost for entrance is a $10.00 day-use fee. Information: (949)

497-7647.

Irvine Ranch Land Reserve

A three-hour, three-mile hike through Laurel Canyon will depart at

8 a.m. Saturday. A two-mile, two-hour yoga hike and meditative walk

will leave at 9 a.m. Sunday. Join a guide for a bike ride at 5 p.m.

Saturday or at 9 a.m. Thursday. Tours are also available by special

request. Information: (714) 832-7478.