Coastwalk’s on Trail for More Hikers

Last year, more than 50 people spent four days walking the Orange County coast from San Clemente to Crystal Cove in the county’s first involvement in a growing statewide movement called Coastwalk. This year, the event is back--and looking for more participants.

Coastwalk will go this time from Sept. 15 through 18 and take walkers from the canyons and ridges of Laguna Coast Wilderness Park all the way north to the Bolsa Chica wetlands. Along the way, participants will get to walk and camp in some areas of coastal Orange County that are normally off-limits to the public.

But not just wilderness is on the agenda. Included are Balboa Island and some piers and beachside areas.

Cost is $30 a day. Gear will be shuttled from campsite to campsite. Dinner will be provided, but walkers will be responsible for their own camp breakfast and lunch. The trip will be limited to 40 people, but at last check it was less than half-full.

Participants in last year’s walk enthusiastically embraced the chance to get a more intimate look at the local coast.

“I’ve always been interested in those canyons back there, living in Orange County for so long,” said one man, walking the sands north of San Clemente. “This is a chance to see them.”

Coastwalk started in 1983 with a hike along Sonoma County’s coastline and has expanded to other counties every year since. With the addition of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, this is the first year the entire coast will be covered. Coastwalk is a nonprofit organization that works to increase awareness of the state’s coastal resources and to lobby for a creating a trail along all 1,000 miles of California coastline.

Advance registration is required. Organizers may allow some people to sign up for only part of the walk.

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If you’ve always seen those huge blimp hangars at Tustin Marine Corps Helicopter Air Station from a distance, and wanted a closer look, there’s a chance coming Sunday. That’s the day the base sponsors a 5K/10K run that actually goes through one of the wooden hangars.

Besides the run, there’s an open house with displays and demonstrations of military hardware. Entry is $20 (including a T-shirt); race day registration is from 6 to 7:30 a.m. Both runs start at 8 a.m. For information, call (714) 726-7531.

What: Orange County Coastwalk.

When: Sept. 15 to Sept. 18.

Where: From Laguna Coast Wilderness Park to Bolsa Chica State Ecological Reserve.

Whereabouts: Call organizers for details.

Wherewithal: $30 per day (includes dinner and transportation of gear).

Where to call: (310) 431-8600.