Upcoming OC Parks Hiking Events Coming To San Clemente

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — It's no secret that Orange County hosts a number of beautiful parks, beaches and trails for residents to enjoy. This February, OC Parks has a myriad of events designed to immerse residents in the natural beauty that Orange County offers.

From organized hikes at nature preserves to nighttime star gazing at Caspers Wilderness Park, OC Parks has something to offer all residents.

Here are some of the OC Parks events occurring in early February:

Star Party — Caspers Wilderness Park, Feb. 5

Every month, Caspers Wilderness Park hosts a public stargazing events for all ages. Caspers Wilderness Park was awarded California's first "Star Park" distinction in 2013, as the park is about nine miles inland from the ocean and therefore free of most of the marine layer that covers the coastal sky.

On Feb. 5, Orange County residents are invited to join the monthly Star Party at 7 p.m., 33401 Ortega Hwy. Cloudy weather cancels the event, and no registration is required.

Dripping Springs Trail Restoration — Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, Feb. 1 & 15

Orange County residents can join the Irvine Ranch Conservatory staff and volunteers as they work along the Dripping Springs trail. Resident volunteers will spend the morning working through grassland, coastal sage scrub and woodland habitats before hiking to Dripping Springs, a natural water source dripping out of an earthquake fault.

The work done on the trail benefits the rare plants and animals that this unique environment supports. To volunteer, residents can follow this link. Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve is located in Silverado, and the work begins at 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

Distance Hike to Mini Moab: Freemont Canyon — Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, Feb. 2

This one is for the hardcore hikers, Orange County. This epic hike starts from the bottom of Fremont Canyon to the sandstone outcrops marking the ridge line known as "Mini Moab." OC Parks advises that this hike is extremely challenging and is for experienced, physically fit distance hikers.

Limestone Canyon Natural Preserve is located in Silverado, and the hike runs from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. To register, residents can visit LetsGoOutside.org.

Early Morning Fitness Hike: Hicks Haul Road — Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, Feb. 1, 8, 15 & 22

This weekly hike is located on the paved Hicks Haul Road at the Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve in Silverado. The hike is a six mile route as a group, and residents who join in should be able to keep to a walking speed of about three to three and-a-half miles per hour.

The hike starts at 8:30 a.m. and goes until 10:45 a.m. To register, residents can visit LetsGoOutside.org.

Thursday Morning Trek: Fremont Canyon — Fremont Canyon Nature Preserve, Feb. 3

This morning trek is located at the Irvine Ranch Open Space, where hikers will follow a trail in the remote Fremont Canyon. The hike is just under six miles and includes a steep hill. Orange County hikers will hike from the mouth of Fremont Canyon, past a historic coal mine, to the Fremont Weather Station.

Residents who participate are asked to bring water, trail snacks, sunscreen, hat and any other needed equipment.

The hike takes place from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. To register, residents can visit LetsGoOutside.org.

Wilderness Access Day: Limestone Canyon — Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, Feb. 5

OC Parks wants you to start off your weekend by exploring a number of sites throughout Limestone Canyon. Trails will be open for self-guided trails use in OC Parks' Irvine Ranch Open Space, and those routes will vary in distance and level of difficulty.

"Whether traveling by feet, hooves or wheels, Wilderness Access Day in Limestone Canyon is a treasure waiting to be discovered by hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers alike," a news release by OC Parks said.

Wilderness Access Day takes place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve in Silverado.

To register, residents can visit LetsGoOutside.org.