SOUTH COAST WILDERNESS ACTIVITIES: DECEMBER 2008

SOUTH COAST WILDERNESS ACTIVITIES: DECEMBER 2008

LAGUNA COAST WILDERNESS PARK

December 4, Thursday, 9:00-11:00 a.m., Fitness Hike: Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this fast-paced, 4.8-mile hike with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists Helen Flanagan, Joe Sortais and Norm Lacourciere. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, James Dilley Preserve (east side of Laguna Canyon Rd/SR-133, just north of 73 Toll Rd). Reservations required: 949-923-2235. Parking: $3.

December 6, Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Plant Adaptation Hike: Native plants are the focus of this moderate, but steep and rocky, 3.5-mile-hike with Laguna Canyon Foundation naturalist Len Gardner and Norm Lacourciere. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Willow Canyon Staging Area (20101 Laguna Canyon Rd, just south of El Toro Rd intersection). Reservations required: 949-923-2235. Parking: $3.

December 6, Saturday, 1:00-4:00 p.m., First Weekends at the Nix Nature Center—Why Do Birds Mob, Sing & Soar? Discover the wonders of bird behavior with biologist Trude Hurd and make your own game to take home. 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: 949-923-2235. Parking: $3.

December 7, Sunday, 8:00-11:00 a.m., Intermediate Mountain Bike Ride: Enjoy ocean and canyon views on this 13-mile ride over steep terrain (2,200-ft gain) with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer mountain bike trail assistant Jeff Bartell and naturalist Tito Fuentes. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Big Bend Staging Area (ask for directions when making reservations). Reservations and helmets required: 949-923-2235. Parking: $3.

December 11, Thursday, 9:00-11:00 a.m., Fitness Hike: Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this fast-paced, 4.8-mile hike with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists Helen Flanagan and Sheila Morshead. 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: 949-923-2235. Parking: $3.

December 13, Saturday, 9:00-11:30 a.m., Native Plant Hike: Learn to identify native plants with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalist Brad Larkins on this moderate, but steep and rocky, 3.5-mile-hike. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Willow Canyon Staging Area (20101 Laguna Canyon Rd, just south of El Toro Rd intersection). Reservations required: 949-923-2235. Parking: $3.

December 18, Thursday, 9:00-11:00 a.m., Fitness Hike: Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this strenuous, fast-paced, 3.5-mile hike with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists Helen Flanagan and Joe Sortais. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Willow Canyon Staging Area (20101 Laguna Canyon Rd, just south of El Toro Rd intersection). Reservations required: 949-923-2235. Parking: $3.

December 18, Thursday, 3:00-4:30 p.m., Junior Rangers: Second and third graders ages 7-9 will become junior rangers by learning about wilderness plants and animals and how to care for native habitat. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Willow Canyon Staging Area (20101 Laguna Canyon Rd, just south of El Toro Rd intersection). Reservations required: 949-923-2235. Program: $10/person. Parking: $3.

December 19, Friday, 9:00-10:00 a.m., Tot Walk: Bring your wee ones to explore our wild backyard on this easy walk with Laguna Canyon Foundation’s Education Director Kimberly Leeds and Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalist Joyce Cross. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Willow Canyon Staging Area (20101 Laguna Canyon Rd, just south of El Toro Rd intersection). Reservations required: 949-923-2235. Requested donation: $2/person. Parking: $3.

December 20, Saturday, 8:00-11:00 a.m., Keep It Wild Volunteer Day: Volunteers help Laguna Canyon Foundation and OC Parks staff with clean up and restoration projects. 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: 949-923-2235. Program: $5. Parking: $3.

December 21, Friday, 2:00-4:30 p.m., Winter Solstice Hike: Celebrate the shortest day of the year on this slow-paced, 2.8 mile steep hike up Little Sycamore Canyon to Serrano Ridge with OC Parks Resource Specialist Laura Cohen and Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists. 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: 949-923-2235. Program: $5. Parking: $3.

December 26, Friday, 9:00-11:00 a.m., Gentle Fitness Hike: Walk off your Christmas dinner on this slow-paced, easy, 2.8-mile hike to Barbara’s Lake and surrounds with OC Parks Resource Specialist Laura Cohen and Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists Lois Taylor and Joyce Cross. 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: 949-923-2235. Program: $5. Parking: $3.

December 27, Saturday, 8:00-10:00 a.m., Cultural Resource Hike: Learn how Native Americans used various plants on this rigorous, 2.8-mile hike (400-foot gain) with OC Parks Ranger Jacky Velasquez and Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists Penny Lewis and Annie Stoeckmann. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Rd/SR-133, approx. 3.5 miles south of I-5/405). Reservations required: 949-923-2235. Program: $2/person. Parking: $3.

Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

December 9, Tuesday, 8:00-11:00 a.m., Yoga Hike: Stretch your mind and body with this yoga hike led by Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer Lauren Robinson. Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Canyon View Staging Area, Gate 7 (from southbound Aliso Creek Rd, turn right on Glenwood [turns into Pacific Park] and right on Canyon Vista to Canyon View Park). Reservations required: 949-923-2235.

December 13, Saturday, 8:30-11:00 a.m., Signs of Life Hike: Learn about diverse life forms on this 2.4-mile (100-ft. steep elevation gain) hike with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists. Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Canyon View Staging Area, Gate 7 (from southbound Aliso Creek Rd, turn right on Glenwood [turns into Pacific Park] and right on Canyon Vista to Canyon View Park). Reservations required: 949-923-2235.

December 20, Saturday, 8:00-11:00 a.m., Keep It Wild Volunteer Day: Volunteers help Laguna Canyon Foundation and OC Parks staff with clean-up and restoration projects. Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park Ranger Headquarters, Gate 1, 28373 Alicia Pkwy (from southbound Aliso Creek Rd, turn right on Alicia and make the first right into the parking lot). Information: 949-923-2235. Free (parking fee waived).

December 26, Friday, 9:00-11:00 a.m., Fitness Hike: Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this strenuous, fast-paced, 3.5-mile hike with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists. Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Canyon View Staging Area, Gate 7 (from southbound Aliso Creek Rd, turn right on Glenwood [turns into Pacific Park] and right on Canyon Vista to Canyon View Park). Reservations required: 949-923-2235.

December 27, Saturday, 9:00-11:30 a.m., Native Plant Hike: Learn about Wood Canyon’s diverse plant life on this 4.4-mile hike along lovely Wood Creek (100-foot steep elevation gain) with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalist Karin Klein. Aliso & Wood Canyons, Canyon View Staging Area, Gate 7 (from southbound Aliso Creek Rd, turn right on Glenwood [turns into Pacific Park] and right on Canyon Vista to Canyon View Park). Reservations required: 949-923-2235.

December 27, Saturday, 12:00-12:30 p.m., Ranger Hike: Learn about diverse wildlife on this 0.12-mile hike with OC Parks Ranger Steve Jax. Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park Ranger Headquarters, Gate 1, 28373 Alicia Pkwy (from southbound Aliso Creek Rd, turn right on Alicia and make the first right into the parking lot). Reservations required: 949-923-2235. Parking: $3.

INFORMATION: Visit http://www.ocparks.com/lagunacoast (click on Activities and Programs). To be included on the monthly e-mail event list, call 949-923-2235. 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.