A few decades ago, the Japanese coined a term, shinrin-yoku, loosely translated as forest-bathing. It describes the soothing effect of immersing oneself in the sights, sounds, scents, textures and sometimes even tastes of the natural world around us. In lovely, lush Peters Canyon Regional Park, I’d like to propose willow-bathing … and eucalyptus-bathing … and cottonwood-bathing.
In this wonderful preserve, 10,000 steps easily turn into 15,000 as the hiker – that would be me – becomes absorbed by the diversity of the landscape, letting go of day-to-day worries as she takes in the sensory wonders around her.
Thanks to the foresight of Irvine Company, which generously donated 377 acres in 1992 to create the regional park, I didn’t have to travel far for this calming experience. The truth is, every time I head into the wilderness, I feel deep gratitude the Company chose to preserve more than half of its Irvine Ranch property as open space.
I parked on Peters Canyon Road and followed the paved walkway to the entrance. Turning right, I headed up Eucalyptus Spur, soon enveloped by the syrupy scent of California everlasting in its final fuzzy form before spreading its seeds for the next generation. A steady climb took me past stands of slim eucalyptus. I stopped to caress their smooth bark, so different to the touch than the riven trunks of the mature black willows that I’d later encounter.
After descending to rejoin the main trail, I saw the sign for the Creek Trail and stepped down to find myself in a wonderland of willow trees and narrow-leaf cattails and birdsong. I crossed several low-slung wooden bridges, feeling as distant from civilization as one can get.
In this wonderful preserve … the hiker … becomes absorbed by the diversity of the landscape, letting go of day-to-day worries as she takes in the sensory wonders around her.
The curvy Creek Trail proved to be the best part of the hike because – while others dream of “superblooms” and travel afar to see acres of color – I prefer hunting for wildflowers that blossom at unexpected times or in unexpected places. I admire their courage. With spring long gone and summer upon us, I was delighted still to see orange sticky monkey flowers, black sage, lizard tail and, later, a profusion of fragrant pink California wild roses.
Emerging back on to Peters Canyon Trail, wide and lined with coyote gourd, jimson weed and buckwheat, I picked up the pace. Soon I found myself at a viewpoint looking down at the 50-acre lake, where lazy ducks traced ripples on the calm surface. The lake, originally a reservoir to meet the water needs of The Irvine Ranch, is happily now nurturing wildlife while also serving as a flood-control basin.
I chose not to do the popular 2.5-mile North Loop Trail this time and began my return journey. I chose to hike along Gnatcatcher, which takes a languid curve to join the East Ridge View Trail as it heads back to the Eucalyptus Spur.
East Ridge View is the trail equivalent of a roller coaster, dipping dramatically up and down more times than I cared to count. Strategically placed benches are a godsend for the weary hiker, who might want to take a break for an energy bar at some point in between frequent sips of water.
Soon I was back amid scented California everlasting, my hike reaching its satisfying end. What a wonderfully soothing sage-willow-eucalyptus-sycamore-cattails bath I’d enjoyed.
Lynette Brasfield is an avid hiker, an Irvine Ranch Conservancy and Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer trail guide, and freelance writer and editor.
3 More hikes
Family hike
6-8:30 p.m. Aug. 10
Round Canyon
Bring your family out for a slower hike along a mostly flat trail that starts in Irvine. Little ones will have fun keeping a lookout for hawks and mule deer on this 2-mile walk.
Birding hike
8-11 a.m. Aug. 12
Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park
Join a 3.5-mile easy stroll while searching for birds of the coastal sage scrub, oak woodland and grassland habitats. Discover different species of birds and how they align with the season and lifestyle.
Full Moon Hike
8:30-10:30 p.m. Aug. 19
Hicks Haul Road
Travel through rock formations, inhale the fragrance of native plants and listen to nature as you hike by the light of a full moon. The easy-paced walk goes 2.5 miles to Loma Ridge and back.
For more hikes, information and to register, go to letsgooutside.org/activities
