30th Annual Mooning of Amtrak, 4th Annual Mooning of Metrolink

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All Day Saturday, July 11, 2009, Laguna Niguel, (Orange County) California, U.S.A.

Web-site last updated: 13 July 2008

THIS WEB SITE does not contain offensive or sexually suggestive material, and is not classified as “Adult”. It is acknowledged however, that the “Mooning” of a public conveyance may be considered objectionable to some. The photos presented here are not “revealing” and are quite safe for all age groups to view.

LOCATION: Along the chain link fence adjacent the train tracks, across the road from:

Mugs Away Saloon,  (949) 582-9716 
27324 Camino Capistrano, #102; Laguna Niguel, (Orange County) California 92677

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: In Orange County, California, Interstate-5, Exit “AVERY PKWY”. Turn West at the end of the off-ramp (Right if you were South-bound on I-5). Short block street ends at “T” intersection, Turn North (Right) on Camino Capistrano. The train tracks will then be on your Left. 1.2 Miles to Mugs Away Saloon, crowds of people, cars, camper trucks, motor homes, busses and motor cycles all over. This road ends another mile to the North. Please don’t park next to the chain link fence next to the train tracks. That’s where the “mooning” happens.

AVOID COMING BY MOTOR VEHICLE Between 9am and 5pm. The area is too congested with automobiles and pick-up trucks. There are no vehicle parking lots. Vehicle parking is backed-up to one mile to the South along the sholder of this narrow two lane road. Vehicles parked in business’s parking lots run the high risk of being towed away.

COME BY METROLINK TRAIN Use Metrolink for your travels here. The walk is about ¾ miles North from the “Laguna Niguel – Mission Viejo” Metrolink station to the Mooning site. Note that Amtrak does NOT stop at the nearby train station. See “LINX” below for Metrolink’s train schedule.

Estimated Passenger Train Passing Times, PDT, July-2008
To be updated June 2009.

7:35am North 8:23am North (M) 8:34am North 8:41am South 9:09am South (M) 9:47am South 9:57am South (M) 10:31am North (M) 10:34am South (M) 10:53am North 11:01am South 11:59am North 12:26pm South 1:27pm North

1:39pm South 1:57pm South (M) 2:18pm North 2:48pm North (M) 3:17pm South 3:31pm North (M) 4:17pm South 4:27pm North 5:11pm North (M) 5:24pm South 5:34pm North 5:39pm South (M) 6:18pm North (M)

6:26pm South 6:43pm North 7:21pm South (M) 7:43pm North 8:17pm South Nite Mooning 9:37pm South 9:47pm North 9:54pm South (M) 10:43pm North 11:24pm South End

(M)= “MetroLink” train, “Orange County Line” and “Inland Empire Line”. All others are “Amtrak” trains. The train times for Amtrak shown represent Northbound 4 minutes later than, and Southbound 1 minute earlier than the Amtrak scheduled train departure times at “San Juan Capistrano” depot. Train times for Metrolink are base on “Laguna Niguel – Mission Viejo” Station.  

Other Details

There is no admission charge             

HELP, VOLUNTEER NEEDED to arrive the previous evening of Mooning Day to bring and hang up a construction area tape at the road edge in front of the chain link fence so vehicles don’t park there, which would block the access zone for the “Mooners”. Thank you!

WHO IS IN CHARGE? No one. No one organizes or is responsible for this annual event. Everyone who attends helps make it a safe, law-abiding, fun & successful day. It occurs the second Saturday in July each year, whether this web-site existed or not. This web site is a gratis service to provide some helpful information.

Newspapers & TV: As in past years, reporters & photographers from the newspapers and Videographers for TV are expected.                                                                                                     

 

Sheriff: As in past years, the area will be patrolled by the Orange County Sheriff for the City of Laguna Niguel. Absolutely NO “controlled substances”, carrying an alchoholic beverage outside, exposing certain prohibited body parts or hasseling with the sheriff deputies. The deputies have been considerate and liberal in the past. Please don’t ruin it for the future.

Exact Location: Latitude 33° 33.917´ North, Longitude 117° 40.435´ West. This data is useful if you will be using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. But, keep in mind that you cannot get here from Crown Valley Parkway as its bridge goes over Camino Capistrano Road, without connecting. See “Driving Directions” above. This is about 4¾ track miles North of the San Juan Capistrano Amtrak train station and about ¾ miles North of the “Laguna Niguel – Mission Viejo” Metrolink station. This track location is milepost 192.7 of the Amtrak “Pacific Surfliner” Line.         

Train Passengers The Amtrak and Metrolink trains will be filled to capacity with passengers to see the “moon show” between the stations of “Irvine” to the North and to the South “San Juan Capistrano” for Amtrak and “Laguna Niguel” for Metrolink. The mooning is on the EAST side of the tracks, and most trains will slow down at this point. For a photo of the view from the train passenger’s perspective, see LINX, below. If you wish to see the show from the train during time of peak demand at mid-day, board at a more distant station to better secure an available seat for you. Sorry, on the train you’ll only be able to photograph or video through the glass windows as only the train crew will have access to the vestibules of the train which have windows that open. The “Mission Viejo – Laguna Niguel” Metrolink train station is a ¾ mile walk South of here.

Night Mooning After 8pm, Night Mooning starts. Bring a flash light with plenty of batteries, or better yet, bring a camping lantern. Bring a wire coat hanger to make a hook to hang your lantern from the chain link fence. An electric engine-generator with lights would be outrageous, if anyone has this to bring. The area is dark at night as there aren’t any street lights along this road. Night Mooning is better because: it is less crowded, cooler temperature, and more authentic.

Amateur Radio Amateur radio operators may communicate locally on 146.555 MHz FM-Simplex.
Any “ham” radio club is welcome to set up a special event from here, however you’ll need your own electrical power, get here early and this is in a valley with hills on the East and West.

LINX, Links to related web sites (Just ‘Click’ on the words):

• Photos of the rear view of Mooners You must be over 18 yrs old to see asses, even though you have one yourself. Regretfully, allowable traffic on this site is exceeded frequently. <!–
• Mooning Photos to View & Download (free), or order prints from Target Stores & Yahoo (Low cost).–>
• Camping & Rec Vehicle Facilities Near Laguna Niguel CA.
• Amtrak’s Web Site   Go to “Schedules”. This train line is called “Pacific Surfliner”.
• MetroLink Train Schedules Go to “Schedules” See “Orange County Weekends” and “Inland Empire Weekend” lines. <!–
• Vendor of souvenier T-shirts also DVD movies. Bob Welch –>

 

Are You in these pictures? If so, and you’d rather not be included, let the web site janitor noted at the end that you would like to be removed. Please note which picture, and which person you are. Those who have no objections, thank you for your proud participation!! Attempts to use these photos for “commercial” purposes will be in violation of federal law unless a signed “model release” is obtained from each of the visible people in the photo.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

1. Must I “moon”, or can I just watch? No, You can watch.
2. Does It get hot here in July? Yes, mid-day it is usually about 95°F (35°C) and humid.
3. Should I bring food & drink? If you wish. Mugs Away Saloon will be serving cold beverages. There are a variety of outdoor vendors which include hamburgers and souvenier event T-shirts.
4. Is there room to park my car, motorcycle or motor home? By 9am car parking is usually over a mile away along the road’s shoulder. After 5pm, much of the crowd & cars disperse.
5. Are pets O.K. to bring? Yes, you can bring your dog, cat, snake, parrot, or iguana. Don’t forget water for them.
6. I’m overweight, in fact very obese, is it O.K. if I moon? Yes yes, please “moon” with us. We need people like you for the extra high intensity mooning you can provide.
7. Can I decorate my butt? Yes, that’s O.K.
8. What happens in the saloon? There are two successive bands inside the Mugs Away Saloon from Noon till closing, which is about 2am Sunday.
9. Is Amtrak associated with this? NO, neither Amtrak nor Metrolink have anything to do with this “show” except operate the trains.
10. Can the physically handicapped get around this area? Yes, a wheel-chair should work just fine. There are no stairs to climb. Close-in car parking spots are gone by 7am.
11. Can I photograph or video the people and this event. Yes. Permission is required only of the people in your photography.
12. Is it convenient to come by car? NO, no, it is NOT convenient to bring a motor vehicle. Vehicular congestion is intense and there is very little parking. Coming here by Metrolink Train and walking is an excellent alternative.

 

Train Photos Please send this Web Site Janitor a digital image file of the rear of the mooners if you were a passenger on the train. Thank you. If a digital camera, shoot at the camera’s highest resolution, and don’t forget to bring a rag to clean the train window.

How it started To best answer the story of the birth of the Mooning tradition, refer to the Sunday July 11, 1999 edition of The Orange County (California) Register newspaper, and the article headlined as, “Full moon over Amtrak keeps Laguna Niguel tradition alive”, as follows: Twenty years ago (1979), at The Mugs Away Saloon, a K.T.Smith told his buddies he’d buy a drink for all who would run outside to the rail road tracks and “moon” the next train, which many did. The mooning tradition has prevailed, but there is no longer a volunteer to buy free drinks for thousands of “Mooners”. Metrolink commuter trains started weekend operation on this track in Summer 2006.
Many many thanks to: The City Council of Laguna Niguel, The Sheriff of Orange County, OCRRA (owners of the rail right-of-way), Metrolink Rail Agency and of course, our beloved AMTRAK, for their tolerance and contemporary open-mindedness.

Disclaimer: Attending this event may be hazardous due to the large concentration of silly people, cars, motorcycles, motorhomes, concrete vehicle wheel-stops, potholes & cracks in the road & parking-lots and dangerous pets. Everyone present is responsible for their own actions. If you trip on something, or hurt yourself, you alone are responsible. There is no one to sue. No one either promotes this nor charges admission. If you do come, act safely! If you’re accident prone, please don’t come, go somewhere else where you’ll be safer. Neither Mugs Away Saloon, The City of Laguna Niguel nor Amtrak, nor Metrolink are responsible for this event, nor for assuring your safety. The City & the railroad would rather you didn’t bother coming to this event. No one is carrying public liability insurance for this. Besides, would any insurance underwriter insure an event called, “Mooning Amtrak”?

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Advertisements may appear at the beginning and end of these pages as placed by our web hosting service. Many thanks to the web host for their gratis service. Many thanks to the web host for their gratis service. Web site janitor is “Sheldon” at Email =   lisseng1@hotmail.com     of   http://www.moonamtrak.org ™.

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Web site janitor is “Sheldon” at Email =   lisseng1@hotmail.com     of   http://www.moonamtrak.org ™.

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Police halt ‘mooning’ of trains in Laguna Niguel after a crowd of 8,000 gathers

Some bared more than their bottoms, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department says.

By David Haldane, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
July 13, 2008

Police were called out to break up the annual “mooning” of Amtrak trains in Laguna Niguel on Saturday when the crowd grew to 8,000 and many began baring more than just their behinds.

“We had some mooners and some female flashers and some people who were nude altogether,” said Jim Amormino, a spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. “There was also lots of drinking. We felt that it was in the public’s interest to shut it down.”

Mooners, flashers and others dispersed peacefully about 3 p.m. and there were no arrests, Amormino said. More than 50 officers responded from several police agencies, backed up by helicopters.

Some participants were angered by the police response.

“What was the point of stopping people from enjoying themselves when they were under control?” asked Robert Zoellner, 47, a first-time mooner from Mission Viejo. “Everybody was getting along.”

Some participants returned to a mile-long stretch of festivities after police left, and newcomers arrived throughout the afternoon. Into the evening, revelers continued to moon the trains that passed about every 20 minutes.

The crowd, which included children with their parents as well as middle-aged adults — stood on the shoulder of a road parallel to the tracks to show themselves. The sideshow included barbecues, T-shirt sales and RV parties.

“It’s so liberating it’s contagious,” said Steve Bartolo, 39, of Costa Mesa. “You just wait until that next train goes by . . . I can’t stop.”

The 29-year-old event is said to have started when a patron at the nearby Mugs Away Saloon in the 27000 block of Camino Capistrano offered to buy drinks for any of his buddies who would run out to the tracks and bare their bottoms for the next passing train. Many did, and the tradition was born.

Usually held the second Saturday in July, the event begins early in the morning and continues into the night.

Though it has no official sponsors and free beer is no longer provided, it does have a website.

“The truth is I never heard of it until today,” Amormino said. “This is probably the first time it’s gotten out of hand.”

“It’s a good thing they were mooning trains,” Amormino said, “because if it were cars I’m sure it would cause” an accident. “I guess a few people wrecked it for everybody.”

david.haldane@latimes.com

 

 <http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-moon13-2008jul13,0,4181516.story>

 

San Onofre’s new bare necessity: a suit

BEACHES | SAN DIEGO

Nude sunbathing is about to come to an end as encroaching development and occasional lewd behavior lead to a state crackdown at once-remote beach. But naturists say their only suit will be a legal one

By Mike Anton, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
09:33 AM PDT, July 07, 2008

Baring it all

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Crackdown at San Diego nude beach

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A battle nearly 40 years in the making is coming to a head at one of Southern California’s most iconic beaches, pitting the suits against the people who don’t wear any.

Swimsuits, that is.

After decades of looking the other way, officials at San Onofre State Beach in north San Diego County are set to crack down on a clothing-optional stretch of sand where people soak up the sun without fear of tan lines.

Citing ongoing complaints from park visitors and the fear of workplace harassment lawsuits from employees, officials say they will begin citing skinny dippers who refuse to cover up after Labor Day. New large signs warning that nudity is prohibited have recently sprouted up throughout the park, and rangers are telling nude sunbathers that their endless summer is about to end.

“Times have changed,” said Rich Haydon, acting superintendent of the California Parks and Recreation Department’s Orange Coast District. “The population growth within a two-hour drive of San Onofre has grown tremendously through the years. It can no long be considered a remote beach.”

Angered naturists say they intend to fight the move lying down — in the sand, as hundreds of nude sunbathers do every summer weekend.

“Do you think one or two rangers could cite all those people? No way,” said R. Allen Baylis, who heads Friends of San Onofre Beach, a naturist group. “There’s going to be no way to effectively enforce this policy.”

Haydon responded with a chuckle. “It will be enforced,” he said. “We’ve already been in discussion with other law enforcement agencies.”

San Onofre’s surf breaks are internationally known, in particular the perfectly shaped lines at Trestles and the easygoing 1960s time warp at the longboarders’ hub known as Old Man’s Beach.

Naturists worldwide know San Onofre for Trail 6, a dirt path that snakes down from sandstone bluffs to the beach’s southern end, where it meets Camp Pendleton.

When President Nixon transferred part of the Marine Corps base to the state for use as a park, he told a reporter, “This is a great sunning beach.”

James Healey agrees, but probably not in the way Nixon envisioned.

“The vibe is very mellow down here. People mind their own business,” said Healy, 49, of Oceanside, who was lying on a towel naked one recent afternoon. “I don’t understand why this is a problem. Who cares?”

At issue is a murky combination of regulations and policies that park rangers have used for years to deal with nudity.

State law forbids nudity in state parks “except in authorized areas set aside for that purpose.” But there are no such areas. In the late 1970s, Russell Cahill, then-director of the state parks department, proposed establishing “clothing optional” areas but dropped the idea in the face of opposition and concerns over the enforcement costs.

Instead, he issued what’s become known as the Cahill Policy, under which citations or arrests are made only after a complaint from the public and attempts to “elicit voluntary compliance.”

Beachgoers have been baring it all at Trail 6 since the park opened in 1973. Back then, San Onofre was about as isolated as a place could be in Southern California, a strip of sand that was a long drive from a creeping metropolis that had not yet reached it.

“There’s a mystique to San Onofre, even today,” said Haydon, who first went to work there more than 20 years ago as a seasonal lifeguard. “It’s a throwback to what California looked like 100 years ago.”

In some respects, though, San Onofre isn’t what it was even a decade ago.

The beach had 2.5 million visitors in 2007, up from 1.6 million in 2000. Some of the newcomers are upending San Onofre’s cherished informality: Bonfires, beers and longboards evoked a California beach culture a generation ago that exists today only on Super 8 film.

Until last summer, San Onofre was the rare Southern California beach where alcohol was still legal. But it was banned after a surge in brawls, drunk driving and other alcohol-related offenses.

“People were coming down and taking over the place as a party spot,” Haydon said. “Surfers were being harassed. . . . It necessitated such an action.”

Similarly, the move to place a metaphorical fig leaf on San Onofre’s nude beach is in large part driven by increasing reports of lewd behavior, Haydon said.

It’s no secret the parking lot at Trail 6 is a busy gay pickup spot; graphic postings on Craigslist invite people there. The public restrooms there accommodate more than they were designed for. On the beach, arroyos that pepper the bluffs that stretch for miles south onto Camp Pendleton provide cover for trysts.

Despite the fact that it is a felony to trespass, beachgoers say the Marine base is where the real action happens and enforcement by military authorities has been inconsistent through the years.

“This part is more private. Because of that, this side’s more cruisie, if you will,” said Tim Lewis, who rode his bike south to a favorite spot at Camp Pendleton.

The other day, Lewis happened upon a couple having sex a few feet from the water.

“A guy and a girl — can you believe it?” he said. “It’s crazy what people will do on the beach.”

Baylis says the many regulars who visit Trail 6 solely to sunbathe work to dissuade the lewd behavior “of a few bad apples.”

“There’s strength in numbers,” he said. “If they chase away the naturists who protect the family-friendly atmosphere of the beach, all that will be left is the bad element.”

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