Recently, my basketball season has finally come to a close and as a senior, I am officially done with all games and activities with the team. With that in mind, a realization has occurred that I need to work out and get cardio in on my own time. While I could just get on a treadmill and walk for an hour, I wanted something more fulfilling.
Fortunately, a trend that has existed since the beginning of time is gaining popularity again across social media: hiking.Living in Orange County, surrounded by hills and scenic ocean views, means we have access to hundreds of beautiful and rewarding hiking trails to enjoy.
Before I share my favorite hikes and ones I would like to try in the future;let’s first talk about safety tips for those who have not had their first hike yet. First, always tell people where you are going and try not to hike alone. You never know what might happen and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Additionally, try to stay on the trail since leaving the trail can increase the risk of injury or you can potentially get lost. Lastly, wear a good pair of shoes and pack plenty of water.
In Yorba Linda we have too many hikes and trails, but most, if not all, involve going up to the San Juan Hill. Thus, when choosing your hike you should consider the difficulty of these trails. One way is the Rim Crest Trail off of Fairmont Boulevard. This trail is much easier and forgiving than the other trail, Casino Ridge Staging area, which is less mapped out and more rugged.
When asked about the trail, avid hiker Matt McDonnell(12) revealed,”Personally I think that Rim Crest is not very challenging, but it is one of my favorite hikes. It is great that Yorba Linda has so many hikes available to us.”
Both these hikes are very steep and require a lot of time and energy; however, once you reach the top, the views are immaculate and lets you see all of Orange County, and even Catalina Island on a good day. However, some people are hesitant to make these big climbs, but there are still great hikes that don’t require great inclines like these.
A spot I personally really like is Redwood Grove. It is a small and simple trail filled with redwood trees. This trail is very interesting since it makes you forget you are in Orange County. It feels almost as if you are in Nor-Cal and right by the bay.
Another trail that is fairly easy with good views is Carbon Canyon Trail. This is very similar to Redwood Grove since it too has Redwoods, but it also has its own lake. Despite being in the middle of suburbia, it feels like it is in its own little bubble.
If you want to up your hiking game, there are plenty of beautiful hikes in Orange County and not just in Yorba Linda. Treks like the Black Star Canyon Trail, and the San Clemente Coastal Trail show the diverse landscape Orange County has to offer.
When asked about hiking, Jake Waters (12) stated: “Orange County has a lot of beautiful sites to offer us, I think its the best place to hike”.
So, if you are looking to make a hike this spring or summer, remember to be safe, have fun, and enjoy the journey.
