Sunrise to Sunset Hikers

ABOUT THE WALK: Join your Meetup hiking friends for a relaxed Friday evening walk around the beautiful Dana Point pleasure craft harbor. This is a slow paced, BEGINNER, 3 plus mile round trip, 90 minute hike on mostly flat sidewalks that over look the scenic Dana Point Harbor and Pacific Ocean. The hike begins at the wharf between Baby Beach and the Tall Ship. Our route is very popular with local residents and their four legged friends; the walk is dog friendly. We are taking this walk at a time of day that enjoys a brisk ocean breeze and setting sun.

ABOUT THE POST HIKE DANCING: Complete your Friday evening with dancing at Stillwater for "spirits and sounds." Beginning at 9 PM, hikers turn into rockers to a live dance band on stage. Stillwater is located a short five minute drive from the harbor at 24701 Del Prado Avenue, Dana Point. Rock on!

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: From Pacific Coast Highway in Dana Point, turn on to Golden Lantern....turn right on Dana Point Harbor Drive.... past Baby Beach at the Harbor turning basin.... turn right or left into parking lots.... look for the group next to the wharf between Baby Beach and the Ocean Institute. See map for details.

DISCLAIMER: Group organizer and assistant organizers assume no liability; hike at your own risk. By being a member of this group you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any group functions. You agree that neither you nor any third party will hold any of the group's leaders, officers, or representatives liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own person or any members of your family, friends, acquaintances, children, pets, or property, arising directly or as a consequence from a group activity. You also spree that your membership of this group is based on an "at will" basis.

This is a fun hike with beautiful desert vegetation and landscape as well as a very beautiful oasis. Once we are in the canyon, the trail becomes less clear and it is like a puzzle. If we choose the correct path, there is less scrambling (climbing over rocks). Below is the description from Alltrails.

Discover this 5.0-mile out-and-back trail near Borrego Springs, California. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. This is a very popular area for hiking and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are October through May. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail.
The first two miles are a flat stretch of desert - easy to navigate, and filled with cacti and various desert flowers, though exposed to the sun with very little shade. Bring water, sun protection, and take the proper precautions. Things start to to get interesting in the final mile as the trail blends into several palm groves and tricky terrain. You'll have to scramble over, duck under, and slide around numerous boulders, and occasionally skip over tiny streams. It's doable, but requires some patience and dexterity, and may be challenging for kids and the elderly.

There is a $10.00 fee for parking at the trailhead. There are restrooms at the trailhead.

After the hike, you may wish to join those that will be going into Borrego Springs for lunch. No trip to Borrego Springs is complete without pursuing the area around town and enjoying the incredible metal sculptures scattered about.

DISCLAIMER: Group organizer and assistant organizers assume no liability; hike at your own risk. By being a member of this group you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any group functions. You agree that neither you nor any third party will hold any of the group's leaders, officers, or representatives liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own person or any members of your family, friends, acquaintances, children, pets, or property, arising directly or as a consequence from a group activity. You also agree that your membership of this group is based on an "at will" basis.