Enjoy Limestone Canyon by the glow of the late afternoon sunset! This strenuous 9-mile hike starts from the bottom of the coastal sage scrub canyon to gain great views along the ridge of this great canyon. Traveling up and down various hills will offer a strong cardio workout, with the mid-way point to rest at The Sinks viewing deck, before returning along the bottom of the canyon back to the starting point. Wear sturdy shoes and warm layered clothing as the cool canyon air is chilly in the afternoon.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.

This intermediate mountain bike ride climbs up to Loma Ridge on the paved Hicks Haul Road, with increasingly beautiful views as we ascend. It then follows Loma Ridge, offering fantastic vistas of Orange County, Irvine, and even Catalina on clear days, as well as the surrounding wildlands. From Loma Ridge we descend into Limestone Canyon and then visit The Sinks, Orange County’s own “Grand Canyon.”

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.

Explore Limestone Canyon by night on this intermediate mountain bike night ride. We will ride out of Augustine, up Loma Ridge, down to The Sinks, and along Limestone Ridge or Limestone Valley, depending on the group. Please plan for a distance between 10 and 15 miles. Hopefully we will see some wildlife, but we certainly will have an adventure!

Trails include natural hazards such as sand, tree roots, exposed rocks, and ruts.  Expect several steep climbs on this 12-mile ride with an elevation gain of 2,600 feet.  This night ride is for experienced adult riders.  Lights required.

Understanding the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings system will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.

Join us in the backcountry wilderness for a journey filled with beautiful sights and photographic and artistic sketching opportunities. Our journey begins in the afternoon, deep in a secluded canyon, where time is measured in centuries, even millennia, in the sandstone cliffs of this ancient place called Limestone Canyon.

You will board 4-wheel drive vehicles for a 13-mile tour of the canyon and hills surrounding it. We will stop frequently for 15-30 minutes or so to admire the views, take photos, sketch landscapes, and answer questions. Stops will include short walks with views of The Sinks, a trip up Cactus Spur, and an optional, singletrack, one-mile hike into Box Springs. Box Springs provides the visitor a true backcountry experience. An alternative, but similar, hiking trail may be used.

From the Augustine Staging Area, we proceed up Hicks Haul Road, an old ranch road that was paved to provide access to Irvine Lake and the mines in Black Star Canyon. At the research center, we head off-road up a narrow, windy, and sometimes bumpy trail to Loma Ridge and beyond. Bring your camera equipment, sketchbook, or just enjoy the ride.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-1 activity on the land.

Come out and enjoy the evening with us on the lower section of the Agua Chinon trail. This trail meanders along a dry wash, at the bottom of a beautiful sage scrub covered canyon and below the Sinks formation, providing a glimpse into a beautiful riparian area along the northern edge of the Irvine city limits.

The three to four mile out and back route has some elevation gain on the way out, but the hike is done at a moderate pace. Please bring water and wear sturdy shoes. This hike is not suitable for children under 10.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land.

Discover part of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks on an strenuous moderate-paced trail run for participants in great running shape. We will be visiting Agua Chinon and Limestone Canyon to The Sinks viewpoint, and then continue to Cactus Trail to Limestone Ridge, down Raptor Trail and back to Aqua Chinon via Limestone Canyon trail. Approximate total distance of about 13 miles, and an elevation gain of approximately 2,100 feet.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-5 activity on the land.

Please be aware that this is an moderate-paced run, but involves long climbs up steep hills in a wilderness setting. Some may hike up the steepest hills, but all should plan on running all other areas. Please make sure you are in excellent physical shape with previous running experience before registering for this program, and bring at least 60 oz. of water.

Richard “Dick” Walters began his service with Irvine Ranch Conservancy as a Founding Volunteer. Over his many years as a docent, Dick led countless people over miles of trails on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, encouraging all to enjoy and appreciate the land. The Richard Walters Memorial Hike celebrates Dick’s legacy with a choice between two specially designed routes in Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.

This is a moderate-paced ride designed for the intermediate rider who has experience and skills, but sometimes needs to move slower in more technical areas with steep descents/ascents. This program is for very physically fit riders in excellent cardio condition. The ride starts at the Augustine staging area and travels along the Hick’s Haul paved road, continuing to Shoestring, Augustine, The Sinks, Raptor, and the adjacent oak woodlands. We will climb approximately 1600 feet over 14 miles in this 2.5-hour program.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.

Participants must wear a helmet and carry at least 100 ounces of water, snacks, and spare tubes and tools (in case of flats). Your bike must be trail worthy, with at least a front suspension, and in good working condition. We do NOT ride on bike paths, but rather on hazardous rocky, rutted, sandy fire roads and some singletrack. This is for adult riders only

This lovely ride begins in the flat flood plain filled with riparian foliage including a sandbar of willows and mulefat. The trail then climbs steadily up to “The Sinks,” considered by many to be a mini Grand Canyon. At this beautiful viewing area, we take a short loop through Box Springs, taking in the large, lush oak woodland, and end with the long descent back to Portola.

You will need to transport your own fit horse to the staging area.

Equestrians with trail riding experience, a fit and able horse, and the ability to trailer to the staging area are welcome to join the ride. Owners of unshod horses, please note that footing may include areas of gravel and pavement.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-2 activity on the land.

Start your weekend off by exploring the endless opportunities found throughout magnificent Limestone Canyon. Designated trails will be open for self-guided trail use in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. Trail routes vary in distance and level of difficulty with choices ranging from easy one-hour walks to strenuous 15-mile cardio treks. Whether traveling by feet, hooves or wheels, OC Parks Wilderness Celebration (Wilderness Access Day) in Limestone Canyon is a treasure waiting to be discovered by hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers alike.

Come experience Limestone Canyon’s beauty from the back of your horse. Designated trails will be open for self-guided access hiking, biking, and equestrian use during OC Parks Wilderness Celebration (Wilderness Access Day). Equestrian riders who have trail riding experience with a fit and able horse will enjoy the historic ranch roads of days gone by. Take in the awe-inspiring vistas from the mighty ridge tops and drink in the cool canyon shade through the oak grove.

This intermediate mountain bike ride climbs up to Loma Ridge on the paved Hicks Haul Road, with increasingly beautiful views as we ascend. It then follows Loma Ridge, offering fantastic vistas of Orange County, Irvine, and even Catalina on clear days, as well as the surrounding wildlands. From Loma Ridge we descend into Limestone Canyon and then visit The Sinks, Orange County’s own “Grand Canyon.”

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.

Join us in the backcountry wilderness for a journey filled with beautiful sights and photographic and artistic sketching opportunities. Our journey begins in the afternoon, deep in a secluded canyon, where time is measured in centuries, even millennia, in the sandstone cliffs of this ancient place called Limestone Canyon.

You will board 4-wheel drive vehicles for a 13-mile tour of the canyon and hills surrounding it. We will stop frequently for 15-30 minutes or so to admire the views, take photos, sketch landscapes, and answer questions. Stops will include short walks with views of The Sinks, a trip up Cactus Spur, and an optional, singletrack, one-mile hike into Box Springs. Box Springs provides the visitor a true backcountry experience. An alternative, but similar, hiking trail may be used.

From the Augustine Staging Area, we proceed up Hicks Haul Road, an old ranch road that was paved to provide access to Irvine Lake and the mines in Black Star Canyon. At the research center, we head off-road up a narrow, windy, and sometimes bumpy trail to Loma Ridge and beyond. Bring your camera equipment, sketchbook, or just enjoy the ride.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-1 activity on the land.

Join IRC-certified volunteers on a longer slow-paced, family-oriented ride for adults and children 12 years old and up that have wilderness trail riding experience through sycamores, oaks, and habitat native to California. The route takes us to The Sinks, Orange County’s own “Grand Canyon.”

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-2 activity on the land.

Explore Limestone Canyon by night on this intermediate mountain bike night ride. We will ride out of Augustine, up Loma Ridge, down to The Sinks, and along Limestone Ridge or Limestone Valley, depending on the group. Please plan for a distance between 10 and 15 miles. Hopefully we will see some wildlife, but we certainly will have an adventure!

Trails include natural hazards such as sand, tree roots, exposed rocks, and ruts.  Expect several steep climbs on this 12-mile ride with an elevation gain of 2,600 feet.  This night ride is for experienced adult riders.  Lights required.

Understanding the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings system will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.

This is a slower-paced ride designed for the intermediate mountain bike rider who has experience and skills, but sometimes needs to walk more technical areas and steep descents/ascents. It is very strenuous with difficult terrain and intended as a “hike-a-bike” ride. The route climbs both Loma and Limestone ridges and will have a stop at The Sinks.

If you are very physically fit and in excellent cardio shape, you won’t want to miss out! This 11.5-mile program includes a 1,600-foot elevation change and is not a beginner ride. Riders must have a minimum of one year of mountain bike experience.

Please review the Difficulty Ratings  before registering. Understanding the 1-through-5 ratings system will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.

Recharge your batteries with a refreshing mid-week hike through the Agua Chinon Wash in Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. This hike will visit The Sinks and other possible destinations such as Box Springs, Loma Ridge, Limestone Ridge and Limestone Canyon.

This hike involves multiple steep climbs and descents, with 2100+ feet of accumulated climbing elevation, but is done at a moderate pace of approximately 3 mph. Please bring plenty of water, and wear sturdy shoes. Hike distance is 10-12 miles.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.

Recharge your batteries with a refreshing mid-week hike through the Agua Chinon Wash in Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. This hike will visit The Sinks and other possible destinations such as Box Springs, Loma Ridge, Limestone Ridge and Limestone Canyon.

This hike involves multiple steep climbs and descents, with 2100+ feet of accumulated climbing elevation, but is done at a moderate pace of approximately 3 mph. Please bring plenty of water, and wear sturdy shoes. Hike distance is 10-12 miles.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.