This article was published on News-n-Views
A bouquet of loving flowers is often the iconic token of Valentine’s Day Celebrations, connecting nature to the pure meaning of the word “Love.” This year, Orange County residents are invited to experience a new way to kick-start their romance with adventure. Connect with your partner by sharing a Valentine’s Day Hike at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Sunday, February 14th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Hikers will enjoy the beautiful vistas of Laguna Canyon as they search for early wildflowers blooming in the brush. The trail is a moderate 2-mile trip, with a 400 foot elevation gain over steep and rocky terrain. Couples and nature lovers alike will have the opportunity to learn about love in the wild with Orange County Interpretive Specialist Laura Cohen and volunteers from the Laguna Canyon Foundation.
For those seeking to experience the history of California firsthand, the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park provides this unique landscape to its visitors as it has existed for thousands of years. It is part of the Natural Community Conservation Planning program, which is intended to help care for rare and endangered species. Some of the wildlife benefiting from the program’s efforts includes the California Gnatcatcher, Orange-Throated Whiptail, Mule Deer, Long-tailed Weasel, Bobcat, Red-tailed Hawk and many more.
The slopes and hilltops are covered by the Coastal Sage Scrub that lay among patches of Native Valley Grassland and Maritime Chaparral. Hikers may stroll through the riparian habitats lined with the aromas given by Oak, Willow and Sycamore trees.
The Laguna Coast Wilderness Park is one of many recreation areas of the over 20,000 acres of the South Coast Wilderness Area. Additional parks to the land include the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Chrystal Cove State Park, and the City of Irvine Open Space. Trails throughout the lands provide a pleasure to exploring the natural habitat indigenous to Orange County.
To embark on the Valentine’s Day Hike please call 949-923-2235. Hikers will meet at the Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center located on the west side of Laguna Canyon Road/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I-5/405. Reservations are required. For more information on the Nature Center and upcoming events please visit www.lagunacanyon.org. Parking fee is $3. The adventure costs a mere $5 but the experience with your loved one is priceless.
