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“I got a peaceful easy feeling” Bell View Trl Loop

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CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA

Activity: Day Hike

Date: 11-6-19

Distance: 2.5 miles, 741 feet elevation change, 90 mins, rated Moderate

Addition Note: I added the Bell View Trail Peak also known as Small Peak to the hike via an additional trail, not quite doubling all of these figures.

When you are out hitting the trails, surrounded by mountains and rolling hills, blue skies, and warm days, immersed into nature you just want to break out into song. The Eagles were pretty profound in their 70s hit song, Peaceful Easy Feeling and that is the emotion that one attains akin with nature. That is pretty much what this blog is all about, pursuing balance through adventure. We are seeking to offset an otherwise almost chaotic modern life, as we are pulled in oh so many different directions at once. We long for the adventure of profound experiences in nature, hoping to find some of that harmony, serenity, and a Peaceful Easy Feeling. The kind of feeling that immersion in nature brings. A little dust on the hiking boots, some fresh air in the lungs, stretch the legs, and open your soul to the day.

Bell View Trail Loop in the Cleveland National Forest, near Trabuco Canyon, is right on the edge of Rancho Santa Margarita. It is a quick climb right away and it will get your heart pumping as it has some roller coaster aspects to it. It is a bit of a butt kicker, so this probably shouldn’t be your first rodeo, but otherwise it is a great hike with views of Orange County, rolling hills and the mountains in the backdrop.

After I finished the trek, that is pictured on the map provided, I had a yearning for more. I could see the flag up on the hill so I set my sights on that. I just about did a whole other hike known as Bell View Trail to Flag Summit, but I took some detour trails I discovered so my route didn’t exactly follow that trail either. Fun stuff to be sure.

  • I added about 2+ miles and 60% more elevation to this hike by also heading up to the flag pole which is at the blue dot. I also went back back on another loop not pictured on the map.
Small Peak or Bell View Trail Peak
  • It is hard to tell in pictures a lot of times, but this section was quite steep and dusty so that it was slippery, a trail crew was nice enough to cut some steps into the ground.
  • Stumbled across a GeoCache
  • Contents of the GeoCache.
“Cause I got a Peaceful Easy Feeling, and I know you wont let me down, cause I’m already standing on the ground” -The Eagles
Sky above, earth below, peace within.
Flag Summit

You want that Peaceful Easy Feeling? Then don’t miss a single episode of Pursuing Balance Through Adventure. How can you make sure that you are a PBTA Follower? Simply LIKE- (So important so I know that I am proving good content), COMMENT- (How will I know you were here unless you say so?), SHARE (We need a snowball affect here people), and FOLLOW- (You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself about that is what it is all about). Each PBTA site, which are divided by area, as you will see in the menu above, are all independent sites and thus need to be Followed separately. If you need a hat like the one that is pictured then go to SHOP APPAREL. Heck, I will even give you the PBTA shirt off my back to make sure that you are properly outfitted.

Happy Trails,

Roger Jenkins, Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

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Back Bay Hike

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UPPER NEWPORT BAY ECOLOGICAL RESERVE LOOP

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA

Activity: Day Hike

Date: 11-1-19

Distance 5.25 miles, 60’ elevation gain, 2.5 hours, rated Easy

Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve Loop is actually over a 10 mile hike. I hiked half of the loop on this day and I hiked the other side of the bay about 6 weeks earlier. It was a very pleasant outing and a nice way to appreciate nature. The sky, the bay, the marsh, the birds… very enjoyable and a good way to get some miles in and bask in the sunshine.

I started at the Trailhead that you see on the map I have enclosed in this posting. The roadway is shared by vehicles in one direction, and bikers, joggers, and walkers in each direction. Heading in a northerly direction along the bay it is not long before you come across Big Canyon Trail, which is a nature walk within a hike. Along the Big Canyon pathway you will have plenty of educational signage to learn about the bay, the vegetation, birds, as well as the the watershed.

The later part of the hike you will gain some elevation as you head up to Vista Point, which is about the top of the bay and the top of the loop. I retraced my way back enjoying a nice afternoon and a lovely couple of hours of so.

  • Big Canyon Loop Trail is a nature walk within a hike.
  • Wide pathway shared by cars in one direction, bicyclists, joggers and walkers.
Two blackbirds harass a large bird of prey. Two against one but he is much bigger, not sure if it is such a good idea.
“Slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures in life.”

Thanks for joining me on this little jaunt at Newport Beach’s Back Bay, the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve is for the birds, literally. If you are a birder than you will love this place as thousands of birds migrate through this reserve. If you aren’t you will enjoy the exercise, the gentle breeze, the bay and the day. Please COMMENT, LIKE, SHARE, and FOLLOW. Also checkout the menu above as there are many places to explore that will get your adventure juices flowing. Please note that they are all separate sites and thus must be followed independently.

Happy Trails,

Roger Jenkins, Pursuing Balance Through Adventure