OUTDOOR CALENDAR

Note: Fall is fire season. Stay alert in wilderness parks and report any suspicious activity to a ranger. Parks remain closed for two or more days after significant rainfall.

CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK

Crystal Cove State Park, 8471 N. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, has 3.5 miles of beach and 2,000 acres of undeveloped woodland. $10 day-use parking fee.

The park is open 6 a.m. to sunset daily. Docent-led backcountry hikes are scheduled for most Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m. Hikes are three to five miles and last about two hours.

All hikes meet at the El Moro Visitor Center unless otherwise indicated. From Coast Highway, turn inland at the School/State Park light and follow park signs. For more information, call (949) 497-7647 or e-mail [email protected].

“¢?Backcountry Hike, 10 a.m. Saturday. Meet at Los Trancos near the Trailer. From Coast Highway, turn inland at Los Trancos.

“¢?Tide Pool Walk, 3 p.m. Saturday. Meet at Pelican Point lot #2. From Coast Highway, turn coastward at Newport Coast.

LAGUNA COAST WILDERNESS PARK

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, 20101 Laguna Canyon Road; reservations and information, (949) 923-2235; www.ocparks.com.

Rangers staff the park daily. Open daily, 7 a.m. to sunset, including holidays. Parking lot hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Willow Canyon on Laguna Canyon Road, just south of the El Toro Road intersection. Open to hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers on specified trails; open 7 a.m. to sunset, but parking lot is only open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., $3.

Dilley Preserve on Laguna Canyon Road, just north of the 73 Toll Road: Open daily 7 a.m. to sunset. Parking $3; lot open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Little Sycamore Canyon on Laguna Canyon Road, just south of the San Diego Freeway interchange: The James and Rosemary Nix Nature Center hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; parking $3; lot open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Laguna Heights, the trail head for West Ridge trail and routes into Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, at Top of the World on Alta Laguna Boulevard, is open daily, 7 a.m. to sunset.

“¢?Native Plant Hike, 9 a.m., Saturday. Laguna Canyon Foundation Volunteer Naturalist Nadine Norstrom will lead a 2- to 4-mile hike through the James Dilley Preserve. Meet at the preserve staging area. Call (949) 923-2235 to reserve a place or for directions. Parking is $3.

“¢?Elder Trek, 10 a.m. WednesdayLaguna Canyon Foundation Volunteer Naturalists Annie Stoekmann and Penny Lewis will lead a leisurely 1-mile hike from the Nix Nature Center to Barbara’s Lake. Meet at the Little Sycamore Canyon staging area. Call (949) 923-2235 to reserve a place or for directions. Parking is $3.

“¢?Fitness Hike, 9 a.m. Thursday. Raise your heart rate and your spirits on a brisk, 3.5-mile hike with Laguna Canyon Foundation Volunteer Naturalist Helen Flanagan in Laurel and Willow canyons. Wear sturdy shoes, sunscreen and a hat. Be sure to bring plenty of water. Meet at Willow Canyon Staging Area. Call (949) 923-2235 for reservations or directions. Parking is $3.