Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

Join us for a fast afterwork hike deep in the City of Irvine’s Open Space Preserve. This fast fitness hike starts on the Quail Hill Trailhead just next to the Quail Hill Community Center. This hike will explore the tranquil back country of Shady Canyon and includes expansive views of the pristine canyon, beautiful rock formations we will hike through and occasional sweeping views of Saddleback Valley. We will hike up and over the Quail Hill neighborhood then into Shady Canyon with little to no urban disturbance.

Please come prepared with a sturdy day pack, water, snacks, closed-toe hiking shoes or boots, sunscreen, first aid, and all other supplies to keep you safe and healthy on the trail. This hike offers no shade and there are no scheduled rest stops. All participants must carry their own day pack and water and be comfortable hiking an average moving pace of 3.0 miles per hour, including uphill.

Please note that you will be asked to adhere to the following measures in order to participate:

• Be registered in advance, no walk-up registration is permitted.
• Arrive with all necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail, including water, proper attire, and closed-toe footwear, first aid, health needs etc.
• Restrooms will be available, but facilities will not be sanitized for each individual.
• All participants are required to sign a liability waiver upon arrival at the staging area and before beginning the activity. The waiver can be previewed here: IRC Liability Waiver
• You may be prevented from participating if you do not adhere to the above protocols.

Additionally, in an effort to respect and protect all employees, volunteers, and participants, please do not sign up or attend if you are not feeling well, exhibiting any symptoms of illness or have been in recent contact with someone who was ill.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering. To learn more about the staging areas and activity locations, please visit our Staging Areas Playlist page.