The Terrace is located in the middle of some of the best hiking trails in Orange County. Age suitability is for beginners in reasonable shape…bring water. One of my favorite hikes is a loop hike in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Start at the “willow” parking area ($3 per vehicle) on the map at gate #6. Start up Laurel Canyon Trail 1.8 miles to the Laurel Spur, turn left and follow the dirt road to the intersection with the Willow Canyon Trail 0.5 miles. Turn right and go up to the ridge for a possible view of Catalina Island 0.1 mile. Turn around and follow the Willow Canyon Trail back to the parking lot 1.4 miles. You will pass wild flowers, fossils and see lots of native plants. This hike is suitable for ages 8 to 80 with an elevation gain of about 600 feet. A very convenient hike for Terrace residents starts at Woods End near El Toro and Aliso Creek Road. The hike is all on a dirt road. From Woods End, go up to the ridge and turn right. Follow the gravel road down the other side to the intersection with the Lake Trail then a few more feet to the Edison Trail to Barbara’s Lake. This is the only natural year round lake in Orange County. Continue around the lake to a picnic table. Retrace your way back to Woods End. This hike is suitable for ages 8 to 80 with an elevation gain of about 300 feet. A very short introductory hike is Mary’s Trail at the Nix Nature Center suitable for ages 3 to 99 with an elevation gain of about 10 feet. Parking is
$3.