Upper Newport Back Bay

The first hill Kyong-Mi and Chris saw.
Chris' most "strenuous" hike.
It wasn't bad at all, but it was a mini-incline.

Many former coworkers and friends have told Kyong-Mi to hike at the Newport Back Bay.  It always sounded so wonderful.  The trailhead was easy to find at 2301 University Drive in Newport Beach.  Parking was on the street and the weather was sunshiny with a side of smog.

Mike did not go with Kyong-Mi on this particular hike. Beer and movies for Mike.

Since Kyong-Mi's youngest son Chris is out of school for summer break and just finished elementary school, she thought it would be a good idea to get him walking before starting middle school in September.

Despite the distractions of the planes leaving John Wayne Airport, massive piles of horse droppings, and the occasional cyclist flying by at full speed, there were plenty of animals and plants to look at. 

Kyong-Mi and Chris saw loons, horses, and turkey vultures.  It was definitely an easy hike, although Christopher and Kyong-Mi only went 1 mile in and 1 mile back, following the markers on the side of the trail.

Christopher did a great job at keeping up and being a good sport.

Desert apple cactus flower.

Bolsa Chica Wetlands

Mike ordered a new camera and decided to put his new camera to use.  Kyong-Mi showed him a different trailhead into the Bolsa Chica Wetlands loop.

The trailhead is at Bolsa Chica St/Brightwater Dr.

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve Huntington Beach Trail

Celebrating Kyong-Mi's son Chris' summer break from elementary school, she took him to the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.  She parked on the Warner/PCH side and started on a bridge that would take them to the actual trail.

Chris and a seagull at the bridge leading to the trail.

Upon entering the bridge, there was a seagull.  There were plenty of birds, but the seagull stood still long enough for a picture of Chris. To the right of the trail is where the actual wetlands are.  To the left is a gated section and in the distance the Brightwater homes.  It is said the entire area were occupied by the Tongva and Acjachmen tribes.  At the ecological reserve they have cogged stones, live animals, taxidermy animals and much more information about the Wetlands.

Further down the trail, after the first resting spot on the left, there are gun mounts left from WWII.  Cacti and other indigenous plants grow there.

After the second gun mount and resting place, there is a stairway leading downward to the right, or a trail

Kyong-Mi standing on a gun mount.  

 leading upward to the left.  Taking the trail to the left will lead you near the Brightwater homes.  Along the right side, off trail, if you take the hill down, there is a tunnel near the water's edge, where many people have come and left their mark with graffiti.  Every time Kyong-Mi's been down there, there's different art work.

Chris balancing on a log, on the trail, below the Brightwater homes.  

Following the trail, will lead you to another bridge, that takes you to a trail leading back toward Pacific Coast Highway, where pumpjacks are visible.  A couple man-made hills with seating and a beautiful view is available to the left. There will be a fork in the path.  If you turn left, you can walk to another bridge that will lead you out to the parking lot on Pacific Coast Highway.  If you choose that way, leave the parking lot on foot, turn left and another path will lead you back to the bottom of the hill where the stairway is at the end of the Gun Mounts.  It's basically a walking loop.

This trail is simple, no vigorous activity, but a great view of wetlands or Bolsa Chica State Beach on the other side of PCH, and if you have a great imagination, you can find yourself wondering how the Natives lived at the Bolsa Chica Wetlands.  Chris and Kyong-Mi love walking the wetlands.