Outdoor Calendar

Note: 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.

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, 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 [email protected].

?Backcountry hike: 9 a.m. Saturday. Creepy Crawler Hike. All hikes are three to five miles and last about two hours. Meet at the El Moro Ranger Station. $15 day-use parking fee.

?Halloween Night Ride: 6 p.m. today: The Crystal Cove Interpretive Assn. in cooperation with SHARE Mountain Bike Club will host a volunteer-led, interpretive ride throughout the El Moro backcountry and into Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Riders of different skill levels are welcome. For reservations and additional information, e-mail [email protected].

LAGUNA COAST WILDERNESS PARK

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

Rangers staff the park daily. Open 7 a.m. to sunset, including holidays. Parking lot hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To learn more about volunteering or helping Laguna Canyon Foundation to preserve, protect and enhance the South Coast Wilderness, visit 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 4 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 4 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 4 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, open 7 a.m. to sunset.

?Reflect on Nature Hike: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Gather under grandfather sycamores and meander one to two miles through the canyon over uneven terrain to reflect on nature’s wonder. Foundation volunteer naturalist Thea Gavin will help participants connect to nature through the written word. Bring a notebook, pen and something to sit on. For ages 16 and older. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, James Dilley Preserve. Reservations required, call (949) 923-2235. Parking: $3. Donations appreciated.

?Fitness Hike: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday: Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this strenuous, fast-paced, 4.8-mile hike (400-foot elevation gain) over steep, uneven terrain with foundation volunteers. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center . Reservations required, call (949) 923-2235. Parking: $3. Donations appreciated.

?Elder Trek: 8 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 6: Enjoy the outdoors and learn about diverse plant life on this easy, level, two-mile hike with foundation volunteer naturalists. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center. Reservations required, call (949) 923-2235. Parking: $3.