Single Tracks of Baker Canyon - Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

Enjoy riding in the wilderness on empty trails? Then join us on a docent-led mountain bike ride that loops through Baker Canyon. The route features expansive views of Silverado and Santiago Canyons, Irvine Lake and the Santa Ana Mountains, as well as the flora and fauna of the Black Star Canyon Nature Park. This is a great opportunity to enjoy this seldom visited wilderness area of Orange County!

This ride is designed for the experienced beginner to intermediate rider who is physically fit and can climb moderate climbs of up to one mile and is comfortable riding single track trails with some short/beginner technical sections. The ride is on largely non-technical single track trails and the fire roads that interconnect them. The ride will regroup and rest as needed and an opportunity will be provided for a snack break.

Please note, the ride is approximately 10 miles long with 1500 feet of elevation gain. The route has climbs with some moderately steep sections.

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-3 activity on the land. Electric Mountain Bikes of any class or type are not permitted.

The ride starts and ends at the Red Rocks Staging Area that is located along Black Star Canyon Road next to Peltzer Pines. We will warm up for the climb to Fremont Canyon’s Cathedral Rock by riding some seldom ridden non-technical single-track trails in Baker Canyon. After the Baker Canyon warm-up, the ride will loop the southern portion of Fremont Canyon with a turnaround point at Cathedral Rock. Cathedral Rock is the high point on the south ridge of Fremont Canyon and offers great views of the Fremont and Santiago Canyon areas, as well as Orange County and the surrounding areas. The ride ends with a long downhill back to the staging Area.

This activity originates and ends in the OC Parks’ Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park and travels into OC Parks’ Fremont Canyon Nature Preserve.