Monday, March 10, 2014
Riley Wilderness Park Hike
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Kids Fishing Derby at Mile Square Regional Park
KIDS’ FISHING DERBY AT MILE SQUARE REGIONAL PARK
(Fountain Valley, Calif.) – OC Parks, Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen, California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Angler Chronicles are pleased to present the annual Kids’ Fishing Derby at the North Lake at Mile Square Regional Park on Saturday, March 15 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Kids ages 15 and under fish for free at the Fishing Derby and compete to win multiple prizes for finalists and champions in different age groups. The lake will be stocked with more than 1000 pounds of trout just for the derby. Fishing clinics will be hosted throughout the event.
Registration will take place from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. with the Derby starting promptly at 9 a.m.A limited quantity of fishing rods will be available for loan. A complimentary barbecue lunch will be served to all who attend
Join OC Parks for a fun filled day of friendly competition and fishing at Mile Square Regional Park.
Kids’ Fishing Derby
Date: Saturday, March 15, 2014
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Derby Registration: 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Location: Mile Square Regional Park, North Lake
Address: 16801 Euclid, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle
Public Contact: (714) 973-6600 or (714) 973-3197
Saturday, March 8, 2014
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at the OC Zoo
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at the OC Zoo
(Orange, Calif.) – OC Parks welcomes families to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the animals of the OC Zoo on Saturday, March 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The animals of the OC Zoo will be receiving St. Patrick’s Day-themed toys and treats throughout the event. Children are invited to create a special St. Patrick’s Day craft to take home. In honor of the Irish and everything green, the OC Zoo will be accepting donations of gently used blankets, comforters, towels, boxes, pet toys and perfume. All of these items are used for the animals at the zoo. For each item donated, patrons will receive one free admission to the OC Zoo.
The St. Patrick’s Day Celebration is free to the public. General admission for the OC Zoo is $2 per person without donation. Children ages 2 and under are admitted free. Parking is $5 per vehicle.
Join OC Parks and the OC Zoo and celebrate everything green and Irish this St. Patrick’s Day.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at the OC Zoo
Date: Saturday, March 15, 2014
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: OC Zoo
Address: 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
Cost: $2 zoo admission (free with item donation), ages 2 and under free
Parking: $5 per vehicle
Public Contact: (714) 973-6847
Saturday, March 1, 2014
The Sinks Hike (Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park)
Thursday, February 27, 2014
OC Parks March 2014 Calendar of Events
OC Parks MARCH 2014
calendar of events
March 1
– NSSA Jr. Surf Contest
National Scholastic Surfing Association annual surf contest.
Location: Salt
Creek Beach Park. 33333 S. Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana
Point, CA 92629
Website: http://ocparks.com/beaches/salt
Parking: $1 an hour
March 1,
2, 8, 9 – Festival of Whales
Times vary.
The Dana
Point Festival of Whales is one of Southern California’s largest seafaring
celebrations and reaches out to whale admirers around the world. The Festival
draws over 100,000 visitors each year. Festival highlights include an opening
day parade, street faire and farmers market, art exhibits, classic car
exhibits, concerts on land and water, environmental activities, educational
opportunities, interpretive crafts, kids activities and of course, whale
watching excursions that will allure even the most steadfast landlubber out to
sea.
Location: Dana
Point Baby Beach. 34551 Puerto Place, Dana Point, CA 92629
Website: http://festivalofwhales.com
Cost: Free
March 1 –
Morning Birding at Willow
8 – 11 a.m.
Would you like to spot native and winter resident birds in one of
the most diverse plant communities in the United States? Put on your hiking
shoes, bring your binoculars and join Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer
naturalists on this moderate 2-mile, level hike over uneven terrain.
Location: Laguna
Coast Wilderness Park. 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Website: www.ocparks.com/lagunacoast/
Cost: $2 donation per person Parking:
$3 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 923-2235
Special
Instructions: Ages
12 and up. Reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. Willow
Canyon Staging Area (20101 Laguna Canyon Road, just south of El Toro Road
intersection). For questions, call (949) 497-8324.
March 1–
Wilderness Access Day – Black Star Canyon
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Come explore the beauty in Black Star Canyon! Enjoy self-guided
access in magnificent Black Star and Baker Canyons. Designated trails will be
open for self-guided hiking, biking, and equestrian use for all you trail
lovers!
Location: Irvine
Ranch Open Space. 13042 Old Myford Rd, Irvine, CA 92602
Cost: Free Parking: Free
Contact: (714) 973-6865
Special
Instructions: All participants MUST check in and complete their registration at
the Baker Staging Area prior to accessing the trail system. Trail routes vary
in distance and level of difficulty. Please plan accordingly. Click the link
for full details, including location map: http://letsgooutside.org/activities/2014/03/01/wilderness-access-day-black-star-canyon-6/.
March 1,
30 – A Walk in the Park
8:30 – 10 a.m.
Bring
the family to view the landmark Aliso Creek restoration project and search for
OC’s native wildlife on the Aliso Creek Trail East. This is a 2.5-mile level
terrain, leisurely hike (50-ft. elevation gain) through riparian and grassland
habitats. Led by OC Parks Resource Specialist Rick Schaffer.
Location: Aliso and
Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. 28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Cost: Free Parking: $3 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 497-8324
Special
Instructions: Ages 7 and up. Reservations
required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities.
Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Ranger Headquarters, 28373
Alicia Pkwy (from southbound Aliso Creek Rd, turn right on Alicia, first right
on Awma, left into parking lot). For questions, call (949) 497-8324.
March 1,
8, 15, 22, 29 – Nature Walk
9 – 10:30 a.m.
Join
our Naturalists on a nature walk and learn about Trabuco Canyon animals and
nature. Light to moderate walk on mostly paved roads. Meet at the Nature Center
just inside the main entrance of the park.
Location: O’Neill
Regional Park. 30982 Trabuco Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678
Website: www.ocparks.com/oneillpark/
Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 923-2260
Special
Instructions: All ages welcome. Event is conditional on the weather.
March 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23,
29, 30 – Redwood Grove Hike
9:30 – 11 a.m.
Join
OC Parks' trained staff on an easy 1.1-mile hike to the park's Coastal
Redwood grove. You will use your 5 senses to engage with nature as
you stroll to the Redwoods. You will also have an opportunity to learn
about our native plants along the way. The hike begins each Saturday
and Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. from the park's Nature Center. Don't forget to
visit our Nature Center when you are there, too!
Location: Carbon Canyon Regional Park. 4442
Carbon Canyon Road, Brea, CA 92823
Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle
Contact: (714) 973-3160
Special
Instructions: All
ages. Participants should remember water, sunscreen, hat, hiking shoes. Meet at
Nature Center located at east end of the park. Reservations preferred, please
call (714) 973-3160 or email carboncanyon@ocparks.com.
March 1 –
Family Hike
3 – 5 p.m.
Join
us on this very enjoyable, easy 3-mile hike over moderate but uneven terrain
(100-ft. elevation gain). Starting at Nix Nature Center we will hike one
of the most diverse areas of the park under a canopy of Oaks to Barbara’s Lake
and back. Hike is led by Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers.
Location: Laguna
Coast Wilderness Park. 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Website: www.ocparks.com/lagunacoast/
Cost: $2 donation per person Parking:
$3 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 923-2235
Special
Instructions: Reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities.
Laguna
Coast Wilderness Park, James Dilley Preserve (east side of Laguna Canyon
Rd/Sr-133, just north of 73 Toll Road). For
questions, call (949) 497-8324.
March 1 – Astronomy Program
6 – 9 p.m.
Come
for a grand tour of the universe! Join Allan and other amateur astronomers to
have a look in the telescopes to see Jupiter including four of its largest
moons. Take a guided tour of the constellations and learn the myths and facts
about the cosmos. Observe the wonders of the night sky including nebulas,
galaxies, star clusters and double stars.
Location: Caspers
Wilderness Park. 33401 Ortega Highway,
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 923-2210
Special
Instructions: Held only on evenings with clear skies (good
weather). Call park at (949) 923-2210 for weather-sky updates or additional
information.
March 1,
8, 15, 22, 29 – Ranger Led Campfire Program
7 – 8 p.m.
Join us Saturday night at the amphitheater for
this Ranger led talk on local animal life, set to the glow of fire light. This
event is only open to those camping at O’Neill Regional Park. No access for day
use after sunset.
Location: O’Neill
Regional Park. 30982 Trabuco Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678
Website: www.ocparks.com/oneillpark/
Cost: Free
Contact: (949) 923-2260 or (949)
923-2256
Special
Instructions: All ages welcome. Event is outdoors and dependent on
weather conditions.
March 2 –
Festival of Whales Sand Sculpting Competition
8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
This
contest at Baby Beach is a day of fun, sun and creativity for all participants.
No experience is necessary and the event is open to all ages. Advance
registration is available and recommended, or in person on the day of the event
at the OC Parks tent on the sands at Baby Beach.
Fifteen
sand sculpting plots total are available. A child play area will also be
available.
Location: Dana
Point Baby Beach. 34551 Puerto Place, Dana Point, CA 92629
Cost: Free
Contact: (949) 923-2260
Special
Instructions: Contact Steve Bonhall (949) 923-2281.
March 2 – 1st Sunday Restoration Program at
Talbert Nature Preserve
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Come
join us for some R&R at Talbert Regional Park in Costa Mesa as we kick off
the first community based Talbert Restoration & Revitalization
Project. Learn about the native plants and wildlife of our Coastal zone. We
will meet the 1st Sunday of each month 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the corner of
19th St. and Balboa Blvd. in Costa Mesa.
Location: Talbert
Nature Preserve. 1298 Victoria Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Website: www.ocparks.com/talbert/
Cost: Free Parking: Free
Contact:
(714) 376-7414
Special
Instructions: This program will be cancelled if rainy/muddy
conditions are present 24 hours prior or enrollment minimums are not met.
March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 – Nature Hike
9 – 10 a.m.
Join our Park Rangers Sunday mornings for an easy 1-mile
hike on the Nature Trail. The trail takes visitors through grassland, oak
woodland, riparian and sandy cactus scrub communities. Meet at Old Corral Day
Use area. Rain will cancel hike.
Location: Caspers
Wilderness Park. 33401 Ortega Highway,
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 923-2210
Special
Instructions: Wear comfortable clothing, hiking shoes.
Sunscreen, water and insect repellent are recommended. For additional
information, please call the park at (949) 923-2210.
March 2
– Nature Center Open
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Nature
Center is open the first Sunday of each month. Join a Park Ranger for a tour of
the nature center and learn about local history, flora and fauna.
Location: Santiago
Oaks Regional Park. 2145 N. Windes Drive, Orange, CA 92869
Website: http://ocparks.com/santiagooaks/
Cost: Free Parking: $5 per vehicle
Contact: (714) 973-6620
March 3 –
Knitting in Nature
1 – 3 p.m.
Come out and knit or crochet in nature at beautiful Aliso and Wood
Canyons Wilderness Park. Whether you want to learn how to knit or have been
knitting for years, come join in the stitching as we sit under the
sycamores. Help available to all knitters. Bring your own project
or try your hand at the project of the month that is
great for beginners (Please email leader for materials needed for the project
of the month, amy@lagunacanyon.org).
Location: Aliso and
Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. 28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Cost: $2 donation per person Parking: $3
per vehicle
Contact: (949) 497-8324
Special
Instructions: Reservations required,
sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities.
Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Ranger Headquarters, 28373
Alicia Pkwy (from southbound Aliso Creek Rd, turn right on Alicia, first right
on Awma, left into parking lot). For questions, call (949) 497-8324.
March 4, 8, 18, 22 – Modjeska House
Tour
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Docent-led tour of the historic house and grounds.
Mailing
Address Online: 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630-2534
Contact: (949) 923–2230
Cost: $5 per person
Special Instructions: Advance
reservations required, call (949) 923-2230. Directions provided with
reservations.
March 5 – Bimonthly Bird Walks
8 – 11 a.m.
Join
Naturalist Mike Clayton on a bird walk at Riley Wilderness Park. All levels of
birders welcome. As a wildlife sanctuary, Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park is a
home to an abundant number of native plants and old groves of Western Sycamores
and Coast Live Oaks which border the park’s two seasonally flowing creeks. The
remaining land features rolling hills and canyons of Coastal Sage Scrub and
grasslands. Come prepared for a morning of exploring this delightful park and
its abundant bird life.
Location: Thomas
F. Riley Wilderness Park. 30952 Oso Parkway, Coto de Caza, CA 92679
Cost: Free Parking:
$3 per vehicle
Contact: (949) 923–2265
Special
Instructions: Bring your binoculars and wear shoes with good traction, some of
the trails are steep.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Salvation Mountain (Near Salton Sea State Recreation Area)
Description of Trail: Salvation Mountain does not have any formal "hiking trails." This is a different type of review for Brian and Ashley's Hiking Blog. Salvation Mountain is roughly 50 feet tall and over 150 feet wide and any visit to Salvation Mountain, as far as walking is concern, is less than a quarter of a mile. While at Salvation Mounatin you can hike up to the top of Salvation Mountain utilizing the painted yellow brick road. The hike to the top of Salvation Mountain provides great views of the entire surrounding desert area. There are multiple side rooms and locations to explore inside Salvation Mountain as well. 
Here is an expert taken from the official Salvation Mountain Website about Salvation Mountain: "Salvation Mountain is Leonard Knight's tribute to God and his gift to the world with its simple yet powerful message: "God Is Love." Leonard's passion has lovingly created this brilliant "outsider art " masterpiece resplendent with not only biblical and religious scripture such as the Lord's Prayer, John 3:16, and the Sinner's Prayer, but also including flowers, trees, waterfalls, suns, bluebirds, and many other fascinating and colorful objects. Salvation Mountain must be seen to be fully appreciated as those who have made the journey will attest. Its 50 foot height and 150 foot breadth is made totally of local adobe clay and donated paint and is truly unique in the United States and probably the world. From its Sea of Galilee at the bottom, to the big red heart in the middle, to the cross at the very top, the reoccurring theme of "Love" is everywhere at Salvation Mountain." For more information about Leonard Knight, click Here.
Sadly, Leonard Knight passed away on February 10, 2014 at the age of 82, just a month after we had the chance to visit Salvation Mountain. For more information on his passing, the Los Angeles Times did a good article which can be found Here. Unfortunately, given Leonard Knight's passing, the future of Salvation Mountain might be in jeopardy (For a great article regarding the uncertainty of Salvation Mountain's future make sure to check out this News Article.) Preservation efforts have begun and a great way to stay up to date is through Salvation Mountain's Facebook Page which can be found Here.
Ashley and I really enjoyed visiting Salvation Mountain. The conclusion that we have come to is there is no adequate way to truly explain what Salvation Mountain looks like, it is a place that needs to be seen! We would highly recommend a visit.
Rating: Elevation Gain: minimal. (Very Easy), Distance: less than 0.25 miles (Very Easy).
Time to Complete Hike: Less than 30 minutes.
Rating: Elevation Gain: minimal. (Very Easy), Distance: less than 0.25 miles (Very Easy).
Time to Complete Hike: Less than 30 minutes.
MORE TRAIL WRITE-UPS ON SALTON SEA RECREATION AREA
Salvation Mountain (This Post)
View Salvation Mountain in a larger map
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