By joining I agree to the NO BLAME Waiver.

1. Join Meetup
2. Join OC HIKING CLUB
3. Fill out profile – Please answer each question. If you have an incomplete profile (ie unanswered questions or one word answers), your request may not be approved. No MINOs (member in name only; aka "not an active member").
4. Real names are required, use your first and last name. If there is a hiking emergency we need to know your name. Do not sign up using a nickname. If you want to use a trail name or nickname it can be assigned after you join in addition to your real name. Ask your favorite Hike Organizer to “give member a custom title.”
5. Real Pictures are required. Our hike organizers need to know what you look like for safety reasons. Also, no one wants to go hiking or backpacking with strangers or weirdos. We assume that if you don't have your smiling face posted in 'bright light' you might have something to hide.
6. We reserve the right to revoke membership. Read “Revocation of membership.”

Walkers, hikers and backpackers from all walks of life (no pun intended). Hiking professionals include doctors, lawyers, teachers, scientists, business owners, single people, married couples, housewives, househusbands, single parent families, traditional families, multiparent families and people from all careers and cultures. Note: This is a social hiking club, but not a dating club!

Cumulatively the club has lost over 20,000 lbs! Social walking, hiking and backpacking is life changing. We believe that there is a great need for human contact and the social aspect of these hikes is a significant contributing factor to physical health as well as mental, spiritual and emotional wellness. Please check with your doctor before starting any exercise program. You should be able to walk 4 miles comfortably before joining.

During the economic downturn we are getting even more new members many of which “have always wanted to go hiking, but never had time before.” And some members have had great luck finding new work OTT “On The Trail.”

Yes, our beloved OC HIKING CLUB President Suki Reed writes for OC Register Outdoor’s Section every Monday! Her articles give insights on cool places to go hiking, how to get in shape, leadership on the trail, how to help Kids in Need of Nature and more. For a full list of articles go to: http://www.ocregister.com/fi/search/?q=suki+reed

The MileMarker - OC Hiking Newsletter, “Written by Members, For Members” click here: http://www.oc-hiking.com/orange_county_hiking_and_backpacking_news/

Learn where the best hikes are on our growing list of local and out of town hikes. You do not need to be a member to access this information. For local hike info go OC HIKE INFO: http://www.oc-hiking.com/orange_county_hikes.htm

Are there snakes? Find out what is dangerous and what to look out for while hiking in California on OC HIKING HIKESMART here: http://www.oc-hiking.com/hikesmart.htm

Our monthly Educational Events at REI, Santa Ana help you learn about the outdoors! These events are FREE! Join us for outdoor topics and experts that include: Beginning Backpacking, intermediate Backpacking, Advanced Backpacking Skills, Ultralight Backpacking with Glen Van Peski of Gossamer Gear, Wildflower Photography 101 with Bob Allen, Wilderness First Aid with Dr. Dave, Regional Geology and Hikes of Local Mountain Ranges, Foot Care and more. All event info is posted on the OC HIKING calendar. With over 4,000 members we cannot respond to emails that seek calendar posted event info.

REI is an OC HIKING CLUB sponsor.

This model program helps disadvantage youth and is the only one of its kind throughout the United States and has received high praises from the community and agencies. We work with local OC agencies such as Orange Wood Foundation, Foster Care Auxiliary, Social Services agencies and others by taking disadvantaged youth outdoors. These magical and highly effective hikes take kids out into nature in a supportive social environment. Studies show that even a small amount of positive adult attention can make a big difference in the life of a child. The hikes are led by hike organizers who have had a Live Scanned background check and the youth are accompanied by staff or adults from the accompanying agency. If you wish to attend these hikes and help our communities Kids in Need of Nature please join the club and read the calendar event text carefully.

The club is supported by voluntary donations from our members and community / corporate sponsorships. All hike organizers are volunteers as are most of our directors and special event coordinators. If you would like to sponsor the club and the programs we provide please contact our president Suki Reed.

Membership is free, we are supported by donations only.

Mission Statement — Orange County Hiking Club

Orange County Hiking Club is a non-profit public benefit corporation under the parent name of Hike Everywhere, Inc., incorporated in May 2009. Since its inception in 2006 OC Hiking Club has over 6,000 members throughout Orange County California & beyond. In a time of ever increasing economic & social change the demands & stresses placed on an individual can be daunting. Pressures of work, school & too many hours spent indoors take a negative toll affecting individuals, families & our youth. Nature is the ultimate venue for relaxation & rejuvenation for both individuals & families. The purpose of the Orange County Hiking Club is to reconnect people with nature. The OC Hiking Club promotes the physical, mental & emotional wellness of its participants through hiking & group outdoor activities overseen by dedicated volunteers. Our programs create awareness of our local outdoor areas, promote Earth Care, & serve as informational resources for trails & organized hiking events.

The OC Hiking Club, its President and the Board of Directors, reserves the right to revoke the membership of any member without comment at any time for behavior deemed inappropriate or unsafe. Such behavior includes, but is not limited to refusal to follow directions of hike organizers during events; unwanted attention towards or harassment of a fellow member; hostile, rude or inappropriate treatment of a fellow member; failure to follow safety guidelines established by the organization; failure to follow club bylaws; failure to comply with local, state, or federal regulations while engaged in club activities; etc.

When you join, you may want set up a “meetup specific” folder in your inbox because meetup generates automatic event reminder messages. Some people love these reminders and others hate them. We are working with meetup to develop a way for members to “turn off the email” but until that happens please create a separate folder for receiving meetup emails or set up a meetup specific email address such as: bob.meetup@gmail.com

The OC Hiking website calendar system is based on meetup.com. OC HIKING CLUB does not capture your email address. Meetup.com saves the email addresses, but does not use your email address for anything other than membership communication. Our experience with meetup.com shows that they are very ethical.