Customer Reviews

Orange County, A Day Hiker's Guide

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Hiking and outdoor recreation is not the first thing that comes to mind when most people think about Orange County. Strip Malls and suburbs are a common motif, though nice beaches have always figured into the OC lifestyle. But Orange County also includes numerous wildlands within its borders and John McKinney, long time hiking columnist for the LA Times discusses many of them in this nice little volume. Crystal Cove State Park, the South Coast Wilderness, Orange County's regional park system, and of course the Cleveland National Forest all receive write ups in this book. McKinney also includes some hikes in Riverside County which generally receives very little attention among outdoor authors.

On the whole, I thought this was a nice book, though I will still turn to Jerry Schad's fine Afoot and Afield: Orange County first when seeking new hikes. Readers should be aware, however, that the 2007 fires have dramatically altered the landscape, particularly in the Cleveland National Forest. It may be years before some of the trails, such as those in Santiago and Modjeska Canyons reopen. Untill that happens, those looking to truly experience the wild side of the OC should confine themselves to the coastal wilderness.