The final 0.8-mile of the trail is tough as hikers ascend to the summit with few breaks from the incline. Strong Santa Ana winds on the day of my hike made it more challenging.

But though the members in my Facebook hiking group hope fervently that no more homes are lost, they also measure the Airport fire in the Santa Ana Mountains by the vistas blackened, oak groves ...

I chose to hike on a day with gusty Santa Ana winds, which certainly made it more of a workout. Viejas Mountain is a significant place for the Kumeyaay Nation.

Attractions in the city, which is about 51 miles south of Los Angeles, include Lago Santa Margarita, several parks, an urban trail system and the nearby Santa Ana Mountains.

Amazing video shows a mountain lion fondly named "Newport" living his best life in the Santa Ana Mountains.

So far they’ve put up about 50 cameras, and once a week they hike along the Santa Ana Mountain trails to retrieve footage, which they then share on their Facebook group called “Orange County ...