Hike it easy

You don't have to be a tiger to enjoy Chapter outings

By Mike Sappingfield

Easy hiking in Trabuco Canyon, Orange County . Photo by Mike Sappingfield

Like hiking but don’t want to spend all day and come home exhausted? Like to enjoy wildflowers and other natural sights when hiking? Want to get started hiking but are not sure if you are in good enough physical condition to go on most Sierra Club hikes? Then Easy Hikes may be the activity for you.

Easy Hikes are hikes and walks which fill the niche between staying at home and serious hiking. Usually, we define Easy Hikes as hikes or walks which are under 5 miles in length, less than 500’ of elevation gain and/or loss, and a relaxed pace, with frequent stops. These hikes are great for those just getting started hiking, those who are rehabilitating or resuming hiking after a layoff, those who no longer want to go fast and far on the trails, or for those who just want to go for a hike that doesn’t last all day.

You can find easy hikes several ways: 1) Look for a hike labeled Easy Hiker in your local group or section’s newsletter, 2) look for a hike labeled Easy Hiker or Easy Hiker Committee in your Angeles Chapter Schedule of Activities, or 3) access our Chapter website at www.angeles.sierraclub.org and select Outings, and then Outings Schedule, then do an advanced sort for “easy hiker” or alternatively, select “outings organized by” and then “easy hiker committee.”

Upcoming Easy Hikes:

Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy

Oct. 9

Easy Walk, 2 miles roundtrip, 50’ gain, Enjoy the beautiful fall colors and unique habitat on this slow-paced, nearly level walk. Meet 8:30am South Orange County rideshare point (parking lot, Ortega Plaza, SE corner of Ortega Hwy and Rancho Viejo Rd, in San Juan Capistrano, 1 block east of I-5)

Ballona Wetlands Bird Walk

Oct. 16

Join us on an easy 1-mile walk to identify a colorful array of ducks, egrets, and shorebirds at Ballona Wetlands, now one of the outstanding bird habitats in L.A. County. Meet 9am S side of Jefferson Blvd (1/4 mile west of Lincoln Blvd). Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring binoculars.

San Juan Loop Trail

Oct. 24

Three miles, 200’ gain, moderately paced walk with views of trees, canyons, waterfalls, and streams. Meet 8:30am at Forest Service Trailhead (across from the Candy Store on Ortega Hwy, 19 mi east of I-5 from San Juan Capistrano). Bring water, hat, lugsoles.

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