Over the next few weeks I will be presenting a variety of things to do during the summer months that are fun, outdoors, and INEXPENSIVE! So, put away your video games, grab some sunscreen, and head outside!
Huntington Beach and Orange County have many different opportunities for hikes, ranging from easy to challenging, with the occassional educational hike thrown in. An easy hike with plenty of wildlife is found at Bolsa Chica Wetlands. With Parking on both PCH and Warner, there are signed trails that will lead you around the wetlands, with observation points for viewing wildlife. The Bolsa Chica Interpretive Center is located at 3842 Warner Avenue, and more detailed info can be found at www.BolsaChica.org.
If you are looking for an easy hike, try the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park: Laurel and Willow Canyon Loop. It is 3.5 miles with moderate elevation gain. The trail is located at 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Check out www.ocparks.com for more details.
A great hike that is more demanding, and if you are a runner a definite must, is El Moro Canyon at Crystal Cove State Park. There are multiple trails, allowing you to moderate distances, but the elevation gain is significant, and if you connect all the outlying trails, you can get up to 11 miles into one outing. Last time I hit this trail was early spring, and rattlesnakes were already out, so be cautious and bring water! www.crystalcovestatepark.com
Finally, check out Santiago Peak via Holy Jim Trail. This one is NOT for the faint of heart. With more than a 4,000 elevation climb, the peak is at 5,689 feet. During the summer, a great stop is the Holy Jim Water Fall, 1.5 miles into the hike.
This blog was created from a much larger article by Joel Beers of the OC Weekly. He recommends www.thetrailmaster.com, and a book by John McKinney, THE HIKER's WAY.
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