Hello again! I know, it’s been a very long time since I wrote in my blog. In the spring, during the lock downs, I thought I might return to posting, but I chose to create a wonderful garden instead. It took up most of my time and was a very rewarding experience. We just ate the last (frozen) tomato soup and also finished the pickles I made from the abundance of tomatoes and cucumbers.
Anyway, in addition to the gardening I also walked and hiked a lot during 2020; sometimes by myself, sometimes with a friend or my husband, and I also hiked a lot with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy as a volunteer (and later as a docent) while we could still do it. At this moment Orange County is in a partial lock down, and we can only use public trails, not the IRC ones.

On the last day of 2020, my friend and I visited one of the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park Trails (map).

We took a 5.5 mile hike on Wood Canyon Trail and Wood Creek Trail. We started the hike at Canyon Vistas Road. I was excited about this walk, because my friend saw a bobcat and a coyote on her walk here a few days back, and I hoped to see them as well.

This was an easy and scenic walk, among Oak and Sycamore trees.

We started early, at 7am, and at that time we only saw a few more hikers and bicyclists. On the way back the trail was much busier.

Although the bobcat did not show herself (or himself), but my friend did spot a coyote.

Later I spotted a deer. When we quietly walked in the direction she was heading, we actually saw a family of 5 crossing the trail in front of us.

On the way back we took a little detour on Wood Creek trail:

Yesterday my husband and I visited this same location, so I have a few extra images to show you:

The trail we took is mostly shaded by the native Coast Live Oak and Sycamore trees.

You can find the Western Sycamore in riparian areas, where its roots can easily reach water either from a creek or from underground. It is a deciduous tree, and looses its leaves for the winter season. The Live Oak, on the other hand, is an evergreen tree.

On yesterday’s hike we encountered a flock of American Robins on a Toyon. This was my first time I could watch these birds up close.

This park has many trails with various difficulties. If you are looking for an easy, shady trail to walk on, I would highly recommend the Wood Canyon Trail. I will be checking out other ones in the near future.

Thanks for joining me on my adventure.