Trail Running at Riley Wilderness Park

The Quick and Dirty:

Location: Thomas F. Riley wilderness park or more commonly known as Riley Wilderness Park is one of the OCParks in Orange County, California. It is located on 30952 Oso Parkway, Coto De Caza, CA. 
Distance: We ran about 4 miles to the Skank Vista Point, down through Oak Canyon and looped around the Pheasant Run (this is the outer loop of the preserve). 
Difficulty:  Easy hike and trail run, lots of good rolling hills for a good workout but nothing too strenuous. 
Duration: It took us about 50 minutes to finish the 4 mile run with breaks in between.
Dogs Allowed? No dogs are allowed inside the preserve but ironically equestrians are allowed to ride their horses on the trail. 
Best time to visit: The preserve is open year-round from 7AM to sunset.
Trail Parking: Parking is $3 at the designated preserve parking lot. There was plenty of parking early in the morning when we started the run but the lot got pretty full by the time we left. If you visit OCParks often, annual passes are available for purchase at the ranger’s station. IMG_20160327_101619.jpg Continue reading

Trail Report- Smuggler’s Cove, Santa Cruz Island

The Quick and Dirty:
Location –Smuggler’s Cove, Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park
Distance – 7.5 mile round trip
Terrain Type –  Coastal, the hike ends up at a secluded beach called Smuggler’s Cove
Difficulty – Moderate with some hill climbs

Duration– 3 hours at a leisure paceIMG_0414.JPG Continue reading

Trail Report-Potato Harbor, Santa Cruz Island

The Quick and Dirty:
Location – Potato Harbor, Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park
Distance – 5 mile round trip
Terrain Type – Slight ascend at the beginning of the hike to the top of the sea cliff and then the hike levels out
Difficulty – Easy
Best Time – Spring with the wild flowers makes this a magificient hike but the trail is accessible year-round

Duration– 2 hours at a leisure pace

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View of the harbor from the top of the sea cliff

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Overview of Santa Cruz Island- Channel Islands National Park

IMG_0400.JPGChannel Islands National Park has long been on our list of places to visit. Since Louis’s birthday fell on a Friday this year, I made an executive decision to celebrate his birthday by visiting Santa Cruz Island within Channel Islands National Park. Out of the five islands within the National Parks jurisdiction, Santa Cruz island is the most frequently visited island. Ferries to and from the island are available at least once a day.

This post will be followed by a series of other posts detailing the hikes and kayaking activities during our stay at Santa Cruz island. Continue reading

Utah National Park Road Trip

In 2010, Louis and I took my tiny Mazda Protege on an epic road trip to Zion, Bryce and Arches National Park. Even though the Protege lost its transmission in the middle of a highway somewhere between Bryce and Zion National Park, it was a memorable trip that started our passion with hiking, traveling and fascination with the beauty of the national parks of Utah.

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The beloved Mazda Protege at the beginning of the road trip arriving to Zion National Park in the midst of a snow storm.

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