OC HIGH: STUDENT NEWS AND VIEWS : Take a Hike

Orange County has a lot to offer teens brave enough to venture into its uncivilized corners.

From 42 miles of the Pacific Ocean coastline to the Santa Ana Mountains and the foothills, there are many wonders to behold. Within Orange County’s 782 square miles are more than 150,000 acres of parks, preserves and public lands. There is much to explore--from forest slopes and grasslands to jagged sea cliffs and dark canyons.

Once you venture from the highways and high-rises you can encounter eagles, deer, coyotes, fox, rabbits and even badgers. Other varieties of creatures can be found in streams and tide pools.

The best way to explore the variety Orange County has to offer is by hiking. Unlike jogging, you can view the sights at a leisurely pace and be free to savor the scene.

Hiking allows you to experience nature, get exercise, meditate, relieve stress and often gain the perspective you need to solve problems. Plan to hike with someone, because there is safety in numbers, and nature is fun to share. When hiking, always let someone know where you’re going and approximately when you’ll be back; you don’t want to get stranded and not have anyone know where to find you.

You can plan an all-day outing or take a short hike after school. Make your hike what you want it to be.

There are trails for all levels of experience. If you’re new to hiking, start out easy and work your way up, improving with practice and extending your range.

The same theory applies to what you need. While hiking is a low-overhead hobby, you need to be prepared. The most important part is comfortable walking shoes. Tennis shoes are fine for an easy hike, but for more difficult ones it’s best to have a pair of hiking shoes with good foot and ankle support. Good thick socks are also important to cushion your feet and help prevent blisters.

Lightweight cotton is a good material for clothes. Long sleeves and pants help protect you from insects, sunburn and poison oak, but you might get hot. If you opt for shorts, loose ones that allow easy movement work best. Hiking is also easier without things in your pockets. If the weather is cold, layering will allow you to peel off what you don’t need once you warm up. Gloves and a cap are important in cold weather, as is rain gear if there is a chance of showers. In warm weather, a light-colored hat is best and provides good protection from sunburn, glare, rain, wind and bugs.

You’ll also need a small backpack or fanny pack for your personal belongings. Each hiker should carry his own things in case he is separated from the group.

When hiking, always take water and remember to drink it to prevent dehydration. (Never drink from streams, no matter how clear the water looks.)

Fruit is a good snack for quick energy. Other things you should consider, depending on the kind of hike and time of day, are insect repellent, sunglasses, camera, flashlight, first-aid kit, sun block, map, compass, pocket knife, whistle and bandanna. A bandanna is good because it can be used as a washcloth, towel, headband, sling, cool compress or napkin. Remember to watch the weight when you pack for your hike. The pack should be comfortable, not too heavy. You’re visiting nature, not moving in.

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Before you begin, loosen and stretch your muscles. Slow walking warms up all your muscles and can help prevent strain. Comfortable and efficient walking is not about speed, which will only produce fatigue. Maintain your energy output--that means slowing down with shorter steps when the trail climbs and speeding up with longer steps when the trail levels off.

Watch for slippery grass, sand and rocks. Swinging your arms will help provide stability. Don’t walk with your hands in your pockets--you won’t be able to break your fall if you loose your balance.

Be aware of the environment. Watch for things such as poison oak, ticks, rattlesnakes--even mountain lions.

Poison oak has three shiny leaves and is found in both bush and vine form, usually in canyons and hillsides in semi-shady areas. You should wash your clothes and bathe when you return home in case you did come in contact with any irritants. Be sure to check for ticks, too.

Rattlesnakes can be found in rocky and brushy areas, along ridges and stream bottoms. They are more common in the daytime from early spring to mid-fall and at night in the summer and early fall. Rattlers are seldom seen in extreme heat or cold.

If you see a mountain lion, stay away and report your sighting to park officials. Caspers Park has been closed indefinitely to hikers under 18 following a mountain lion sighting there.

In nature, many animals want to avoid you almost as much as you want to avoid them, so your best defense is simply to make your presence known.

Show concern for the trail and other hikers. Leave no trace of your presence behind--following the admonition “take only memories, leave only footprints.” Don’t cut trail switchbacks because it breaks down the trail and speeds up the erosion process.

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Once you know what to take and how to hike, you need to know where to hike. The best place to find trails is at local parks; they are the most accessible. To get you started, here are some popular hikes in Orange County.

* San Onofre State Beach off Interstate 5 offers easy to moderate hikes. The northern section of the state beach extends from the Orange County line at Trestles Beach to the San Onofre nuclear generating station. The beach offers eight roads and paths allowing you to look at vegetation on the bluffs and eroded sea cliffs, then descend through ravines to reach the beach and explore the coastline. Here you have a chance to see dolphins, sea lions, harbor seals and other animals.

* Crystal Cove Park just south of Corona del Mar is a stretch of cliffs and oceanfront backing up to the San Joaquin Hills. The park is open from dawn to dusk. A visitor’s center has maps posted to get you going on everything from the coastline to rugged backcountry.

* Another coastal hike is available at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, 530 acres of wetlands partly open to the public, including the mouth of the Anaheim Bay and the Santa Ana River. There is a 1.5-mile path around Bolsa Chica Slough, although Coast Highway creates a distraction.

* The foothills can be explored at Santiago Oaks Park, made up of two former ranch properties just east of Villa Park. The visitor’s center is in a refurbished 50-year-old ranch house. Nearby you can explore a rock-cement dam from 1892. Windes Nature Trail is 0.7 miles long but leads to the summit of Rattlesnake Ridge, so it can get steep in places.

* Irvine Regional Park is a great place to spend the day because it has other attractions as well as hiking. There is a boating lagoon, small zoo, wildlife and historical exhibits and horse stables. Picnic and playground areas can be enjoyed after hiking.

Some good reference books are “Nature Walks in O.C.” by Alan McPherson (Bear Flag Books); “Afoot and Afield in O.C.” by Jerry Schad (Wilderness Press), and “Dayhiker” by Robert Wood (Ten Speed Press).

Talk to others interested in the activity to learn where they like to hike. School clubs and groups such as the Sierra Club and Audubon Society often have guided hikes. Remember that conditions constantly change. If possible, call ahead to the Forest Service or local park for up-to-date information.

Hiking is the most fun when you include a lot of exploring and try out new trails. So, get off the couch and give nature a try. Hiking can be a great lifetime habit you begin to enjoy as a teen.

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