Notes about your surroundings

Hike and Bike--Crystal Cove State Park, along the coast between Laguna Beach and Corona del Mar, offers a number of guided backcountry hikes throughout the summer.

The parkland, purchased from the Irvine Co. in 1979, is one of the last undeveloped areas along the Southern California coast. The park covers 3.25 miles of coastline and bluffs and an additional 2,200 acres and 18 miles of multiple-use trails through El Moro Canyon on the inland side of West Coast Highway.

The backcountry and coast bluff tops are covered with a variety of native plants including black sage and bush sunflower; endangered plants include the many-stemmed dudleya and Turkish rugging.

Park wildlife includes a variety of coastal birds, side-blotched lizards, San Diego gopher snakes, red-tailed hawks, California quail, bobcats, cottontail rabbits and southern mule deer.

The guided hikes will cover three to seven miles of the El Moro side of the Crystal Cove State Park. Hikers should wear sturdy shoes and carry drinking water.

Those wanting to participate in the interpretive hikes should meet at the El Moro Nature Center at 9 a.m. today or next Saturday morning.

Walk About--The Nature Conservancy group sponsors guided public tours of the Irvine Co. Open Space Reserve on weekend mornings.

These 2 1/2-mile hikes will explore the northern reserve including Limestone Canyon. The canyon is filled with riparian woodland, coastal sage scrub and live oak and chaparral.

The walking tour is moderately easy and suitable for children 5 and older. Hikers should wear sturdy, comfortable shoes and carry drinking water. Binoculars and a bird identification book would be helpful to those with avian interests.

The northern reserve is off Santiago Canyon Road near Silverado and Modjeska canyons. For more information, or reservations, call (714) 832-7478.