Outdoor Calendar

Note: Wilderness parks are closed for 48 hours or more after significant rainfall. Parks may be closed due to rain conditions or mud. Call (949) 923-2235 or visit websites for current conditions. Wildfire season is here. Fires of any kind are prohibited in wilderness areas. Please report any suspicious activity to park rangers. Sunscreen, sturdy shoes and water are wilderness essentials, along with any medications you require. Wilderness areas may be closed during periods of extreme fire danger. Call (949) 923-2235 or visit websites for current conditions.

CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK

Crystal Cove State Park, 8471 N. Coast Hwy, has 3.5 miles of beach and 2,000 acres of undeveloped woodland. $15 day-use parking fee.

The park is open 6 a.m. to sunset daily. Docent-led backcountry hikes are scheduled for 9 a.m. most Saturdays and Sundays. Hikes are three to five miles long, and last about two hours.

Note: Hikes meet at one of these locations:

El Moro Visitor Center — from Coast Highway, turn inland at the School/State Park light and follow park signs.

Los Trancos — from Coast Highway, turn inland at Los Trancos. Meet near the trailer.

Pelican Point Lot No. 2 — From Coast Highway, turn coastward at Newport Coast.

For more information, call (949) 497-7647 or e-mail wbonnin@parks.ca.gov.

Creeply Crawly Hike: 9 a.m. Saturday. Join a state park volunteer for a guided 3-5 mile backcountry hike. Meet at El Moro Visitor Center (from Coast Highway, turn inland at stoplight for School-State Park.) $15 day-use parking fee.

Volunteer Training: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Crystal Cove State Park is seeking new Trail Assistant Volunteers to help patrol the backcountry wilderness, provide route information, help with bike repair, provide water, and serve as the eyes and ears assisting park staff.

The next training is scheduled at the Los Trancos office. For more information, contact Winter Bonnin at wbonnin@parks.ca.gov.

Tidepool Walk: 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. Join a Crystal Cove State Park docent on a guided tidepool walk to Little Treasure Cove (only accessible on the lowest of tides) when the tide will fall to -1.2, one of the lowest tides of the year. A volunteer will help identify animals. Meet at Pelican Point parking lot #1,(PCH turn coastward at Newport Coast stoplight, right at the kiosk to the end) $15 day-use parking fee.

LAGUNA COAST WILDERNESS PARK

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, 20101 Laguna Canyon Road; reservations and information, (949) 923-2235; https://www.ocparks.com.

Rangers staff the park daily. Open 7 a.m. to sunset daily, including holidays. Parking lot hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To learn more about volunteering or helping Laguna Canyon Foundation to preserve, protect and enhance the South Coast Wilderness, visit https://www.lagunacanyon.org or call (949) 497-8324.

Willow Canyon on Laguna Canyon Road, just south of the El Toro Road intersection. Open to hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers on specified trails; open 7 a.m. to sunset, but parking lot is only open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., $3.

Dilley Preserve on Laguna Canyon Road, just north of the 73 Toll Road: Open daily 7 a.m. to sunset. Parking $3; lot open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Little Sycamore Canyon on Laguna Canyon Road, just south of the 405 Freeway interchange: The James and Rosemary Nix Nature Center hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; parking $3; lot open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Laguna Heights, the trail head for West Ridge trail and routes into Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, at Top of the World on Alta Laguna Boulevard, is open daily, 7 a.m. to sunset.

California Natives Hike: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Enjoy our own fall color while exploring the biodiversity of Laurel and Willow Canyons on a 3.5-mile hike over steep and uneven terrain (700-ft. elevation gain) with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Willow Canyon Staging Area (20101 Laguna Canyon Road, just south of El Toro Road intersection). Reservations required by calling (949) 923-2235. Parking is $3. Donation, $2 per person

Geology Hike: 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday. Enjoy unspoiled canyon views and learn about local geology on this strenuous, 2-mile hike up Little Sycamore Canyon with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Rd/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I-5/405). Reservations required by calling (949) 923-2235. Parking is $3. Donation, $2 per person.

Yoga for Adults: 9 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Enjoy a peaceful, 1.5-mile walk as you learn yoga stretches and breathing and relaxation exercises with Laguna Canyon Foundation senior volunteers. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, James Dilley Preserve (east side of Laguna Canyon Rd/SR-133, just north of 73 Toll Road). Reservations required by calling (949) 923-2235. Parking: $3. Donation: $2 per person.

Yoga for Kids: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. Children ages 6-10 will explore a fun-filled yoga experience in a wilderness setting with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers. Please bring a yoga mat, towel and water. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Road/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I-5/405). Reservations required by calling (949) 923-2235. Parking: $3. Donation: $18 for 6-class series; $3/child drop in.

Fitness Hike: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this strenuous, fast-paced, 3.5-mile hike over steep and uneven terrain (700-ft. elevation gain) with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Willow Canyon Staging Area (20101 Laguna Canyon Rd, just south of El Toro Rd intersection). Reservations required by calling (949) 923-2235. Parking: $3. Donation: $2/person.

Junior Ranger Program #3—Keeping People Safe: 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Rangers help keep people safe and rescue people who get hurt in the park. Make your own first aid kit and learn more about how rangers keep visitors safe. (Second through fourth graders, ages 7-10, can earn a Junior Ranger badge by participating in six workshops: Ranger’s Life, Finding Your Way, Keeping People Safe, Caring for the Park Plants and Animals, Leaving No Trace and Teaching Visitors.) Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Road/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I-5/405). Reservations required by calling (949) 923-2235. Program: $5/student (includes material fee). Parking: $3.