Notes about your surroundings

Bikers Needed: Mountain bikers continue to be at odds with other trail users in much of California, with much-publicized conflicts escalating to trail sabotage in such areas as Marin and Santa Barbara counties.

Orange County has managed so far to steer clear of such confrontations, achieving a level of cooperation envied in other parts of the state. Much of that is because of a widespread network of mountain biking volunteers who have built and maintained trails in local parks and patrol trails to keep riders mindful of rules and trail etiquette.

One of the pioneering local groups is Share, which has organized patrols and other activities in Crystal Cove State Park, probably the most popular park among county riders. Now, Share is recruiting volunteers to help patrol the trails of another mountain biking hot spot, Whiting Ranch Regional Park.

Information on Share: (714) 722-0125.

The Orange County Trails Coalition is an umbrella group that helps coordinate volunteer trail work projects throughout the county. Information: Patrick Henry at (714) 890-3925.

Mountain bikers are likely to be allowed to use trails in two new county park areas due to open in the next year: Wagon Wheel Regional Park, near Coto de Caza, and Arroyo Trabuco, an extension of O’Neill Regional Park.

Canoe the Back Bay: Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve offers canoe tours of the wetland reserve on Saturday mornings. Participants meet at Shellmaker Island, off Backbay Drive, at 8:30 a.m. The fee is $13; reservations and a deposit are required. Information: (714) 640-6746 for information.