OUTDOOR CALENDAR

Hike to the “Sinks,” Orange County’s Grand Canyon

On Saturday, Feb. 25, Dick and Carol Maxwell will lead a Nature Conservancy hike to the “Sinks,” Orange County’s Grand Canyon, via Limestone Canyon. This is a three-hour moderately strenuous hike. Meet in the church parking lot at 8 a.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (949) 494-5125.

CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK

Crystal Cove State Park, 8471 Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, has 3.5 miles of beach and 2,000 acres of undeveloped woodland. $10 day-use parking fee.

The park is open 6 a.m. to sunset daily. Docent-led backcountry hikes are scheduled for most Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m. Hikes are three to five miles and last about two hours. Note: All hikes meet at the El Moro Visitor Center (from Coast Highway, turn inland at light for School/State Park, follow park signs). Information: (949) 497-7647 or via e-mail [email protected]. Rain cancels.

* Friday, Feb. 17, 6 p.m., Valentine Day Night Ride for couples only (two people), with two intermediate groups and one novice group. For reservations, contact [email protected]. $15 per couple, benefiting SHARE and the Crystal Cove Interpretive Association.

* Sunday, Feb. 19, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Gray Whale Sunday, park volunteers help scan the ocean for migrating whales. Binoculars, spotting scopes, whale paraphernalia, and whale games for kids available. Meet at Pelican Point parking lot No. 2, at the top of the boardwalk (from Coast Highway, turn coastward at Newport Coast stoplight, right at the kiosk and left into the first lot.) $10 day-use fee

* Sunday, Feb. 19 at 9 a. m., geology tour visiting diverse sites which all display a story from a different geologic time. Meet at Los Trancos parking lot at the trailer. The tour will be by car caravanning and moderate walking. $10 day-use fee.

* Saturday, Feb. 25, 9 a.m., backcountry hike with plant identification.