The activities below are offered by a variety of organizations and their dedicated volunteers. All programs are FREE unless noted below. Programs led by IRC-Certified Volunteers require pre-registration, which closes at 4 p.m. on the day prior to the event. No walk-up registrations will be permitted for these events. For policies of other organizations, please use the sign-up information provided. For mobility device policies click here.
Note: Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for these events. For programs requiring online registration, each adult and child must be registered. |
Need help? For the fastest answers, look for organization-specific contact information in each event listing (click More Information for full listing). If no contact information is listed, email info@irconservancy.org for assistance.
Click here to learn more about IRC-Certified Volunteers. • Click here to learn more about the Difficulty Ratings.
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Thursday, April 26, 2018
Fitness Hike – Willow
PLEASE NOTE: This is a Fitness Hike; pace is approximately a 19 minute mile. Please arrive 15 minutes early.
Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this strenuous, fast-paced, 5.5-mile hike over steep and uneven terrain (571-ft. elevation gain) with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers. Ages 18 and up. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Willow Canyon Staging Area (West side of Laguna Canyon Road, just south of El Toro Road intersection). Online reservations required: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. For questions, call 949-497-8324 Mon-Fri or 949-923-2235 Sat/Sun. Parking: $3/vehicle.
Fitness Hike in Bommer Canyon
From the beautiful oak tree lined trail to the expansive hilltop views, this is an enjoyable, fast-paced evening fitness hike in scenic Bommer Canyon. This hike is a little over 3 miles with 700 feet of elevation gain in the first half. Participants must be able to hike 3+ miles per hour with little need to rest. Hiking boots are not required, but sturdy non-slip closed toe shoes are a must. Please bring a pack, water, and any other necessities to keep you safe on the trail.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land.
Saturday, April 28, 2018
Intro to Cardio Hike at Baker Canyon
Are the regular cardio hikes a little too fast for you? If so, join us in beautiful Baker Canyon for this slower intro-to-cardio hike. This scenic loop hike will involve a few steep climbs with a net gain of about 1000′ but you will be rewarded with sweeping views of the northeastern edge of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.
Remember, even though this is a slower cardio hike, it is still faster than a walk. You must be able to hike the entire time without stopping. Please make sure you are in excellent physical condition!
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity (due to pace) on the land.
Remember, even though this is a slower cardio hike, it is still faster than a walk. You must be able to hike the entire time without stopping. Please make sure you are in excellent physical condition!
Sunday, April 29, 2018
Beginning Fitness Hike: Limestone to Dripping Springs
Ready for a workout, but not sure where to start? Join us for a fitness-focused hike in Limestone Canyon. Along the trail, you’ll pass through coastal sage scrub, grasslands, and oak woodlands. The 5 mile hike is conducted at about 2.5 miles per hour over mainly level trails.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land.
Remember, this is faster than a walk. You must be able to hike the entire time without stopping. Please make sure you are in excellent physical condition!
Morning Trek: Agua Chinon and The Sinks
Come out and join us on a breathtaking hike from the Irvine Open Space Preserve into OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon. This week’s docent-led hike begins in the Agua Chinon wash, continues to The Sinks, and may include a side trip to Box Springs, a natural year-round source of fresh water.
Maximum distance is just short of 7 miles, with some sustained climbing in one section. Participants must wear sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes. Remember to pack plenty of water, sunscreen, a hat, and all other necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail. This activity originates in the City of Irvine and travels into OC Parks’ 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.
Monday, April 30, 2018
Orchard Hills Evening Hike
Come out and enjoy the evening with us on the Orchard Hills loop trail. This trail meanders around an avocado orchard on the edge of the open space preserve and provides fantastic ridge-top views of Irvine and the Pacific coastline.
The three-mile loop has several very steep climbs, but the hike is done at a moderate pace. The effort is rewarded with a beautiful, unobstructed view to the west. Please bring water and wear sturdy shoes. This hike is not suitable for children under 12.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Bommer Canyon Train and Hike
Skip the gym and join us outside for a total body and cardio workout while enjoying fresh air and panoramic views in beautiful serene Bommer Canyon. Instructor led training exercises will use a combination of body weight and resistance bands in an outdoor setting, followed by a 3 mile fast-paced hike. The hike has 700 feet of total climbing elevation to get your heart pumping. Several steep climbs in the first half of the hike will get participants to the rewarding panoramic views of Orange County and the Santa Ana Mountains.
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
CANCELLED: Meditative Yoga and Meadow Walk
Join us for this relaxing combination of hiking and yoga in Bommer Canyon. Participants will hike around a 1-mile loop, strolling through the local meadow and finding unity within nature. Then we will return to our yoga mats where we will be led in 45 to 60 minutes of guided yoga, under the canopy of sycamores. Our yoga practice will be gentle in nature, moving and flowing with ease.
Please wear comfortable clothes and bring a durable yoga mat to rest on the dirt. An extra cloth or padding is highly recommended, in addition to two towels for yoga positioning assistance. Some mornings are chilly, so dress in layers that are flexible to move in; jeans are not recommended. Remember to wear sun protection for the hike such as a hat and sunscreen.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-2 activity on the land.
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Thursday Morning Trek: Quail Hill
This week in the Irvine Open Space, we’ll be in Quail Hill, once part of the historic Irvine cattle ranch. The hike is seven and a half miles with some climbing, but rewards you with fantastic views overlooking Laguna Canyon and many Irvine locales. Please bring water, a trail snack, sunscreen, hat and any other necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail. Get your boots out and register to hike the Quail Trail and Shady Canyon trails.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.
Cardio Hike: Baker Canyon
Join us for a strenuous, extremely challenging, fast-paced, afternoon cardio hike starting in Baker Canyon. Along the way we’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Orange County and possible wildlife sightings.
This is a 4 mile cardio hike, completed in 1.5 hours and includes a 450+ foot elevation change. This hike is for experienced, physically fit hikers who enjoy the challenge of multiple steep climbs and descents.
There are no rest stops on this approximately 4 mile cardio hike, and the average 3-3.5 mile per hour fast-pace can be difficult over steep terrain in the wilderness setting.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.
Orchard Hills Evening Hike
Come out and enjoy the evening with us on the Orchard Hills loop trail. This trail meanders around an avocado orchard on the edge of the open space preserve and provides fantastic ridge-top views of Irvine and the Pacific coastline.
The three-mile loop has several very steep climbs, but the hike is done at a moderate pace. The effort is rewarded with a beautiful, unobstructed view to the west. Please bring water and wear sturdy shoes. This hike is not suitable for children under 12.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land
Saturday, May 5, 2018
Weekend Trek: Slow-Paced Hike to Dripping Springs via Hicks Haul and Loma
This slower-paced interpretive hike in Limestone Canyon is 7 miles and included some hills trekking to Dripping Springs; a fern-covered rock face dripping with life-giving water creating an essential watering hole for wildlife in the canyon.
Sunday, May 6, 2018
Double Loop: Baker Canyon
Come explore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks in your backyard! This scenic hike involves steep climbs and descents on both double and singletrack trails and around 1100’ of accumulated climbing elevation. Though challenging, the hike rewards you with sweeping views of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and Santa Ana Mountains. On clear days you can see Catalina Island and even beyond Orange County into the Los Angeles Basin.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.
Monday, May 7, 2018
Orchard Hills Evening Hike
Come out and enjoy the evening with us on the Orchard Hills loop trail. This trail meanders around an avocado orchard on the edge of the open space preserve and provides fantastic ridge-top views of Irvine and the Pacific coastline.
The three-mile loop has several very steep climbs, but the hike is done at a moderate pace. The effort is rewarded with a beautiful, unobstructed view to the west. Please bring water and wear sturdy shoes. This hike is not suitable for children under 12.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
California Native Plants & Uses Hike
Led by Laguna Canyon Foundation Naturalists, learn about the many fascinating uses of California native plants during the pre-mission period on this 2-mile hike (490-ft. elevation gain) over steep and uneven terrain. This hike will focus on plants used historically for tools, food and building materials. For ages 12 and older, accompanied by an adult. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, James Dilley Preserve (I-5 or 405 south to 133 south to stoplight at 73 toll road; make a U-turn, go 1 block. Dilley is on the right.) Closed-toe shoes required; hiking poles if you use them. Online reservations required: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. For questions, call: 949-497-8324, Mon-Fri; 949-923-2235 Sat/Sun. Parking: $3.
Fitness Hike in Bommer Canyon
From the beautiful oak tree lined trail to the expansive hilltop views, this is an enjoyable, fast-paced evening fitness hike in scenic Bommer Canyon. This hike is a little over 3 miles with 700 feet of elevation gain in the first half. Participants must be able to hike 3+ miles per hour with little need to rest. Hiking boots are not required, but sturdy non-slip closed toe shoes are a must. Please bring a pack, water, and any other necessities to keep you safe on the trail.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land.
Evening Hike in the Canyons
Come join us for some after work exercise on the Mesa Loop. The hike will cover close to 3 miles round trip at a moderate pace and will offer us beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding canyons. Also keep your eyes open for any animals starting their nightly routines. Please bring water and wear sturdy shoes. A flashlight with a red tinted light is not required but might be nice to have as it will be dark out when we finish our hike.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-2 activity on the land.
Thursday, May 10, 2018
Thursday Morning Trek: Fremont Canyon
This week in the Irvine Ranch Open Space, we’ll hike in the remote Fremont Canyon. The hike is just under 6 miles and includes a steep hill. We will hike from the mouth of Fremont Canyon, past a historic coal mine, to the Fremont Weather Station. After enjoying a spectacular view, we will hike back the same way to our starting point. Please bring water, a trail snack, sun screen, hat, and any other necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail and wear sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes.
Participants must be able to hike 6 miles with an elevation gain of 1200 feet at an average moving rate of 3 miles per hour. Each hiker must carry his/her own water and supplies.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.
Fitness Hike – Dilley
PLEASE NOTE: This is a Fitness Hike; pace is approximately a 19-minute mile. Please arrive 15 minutes early. Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this strenuous, fast-paced, 5.5-mile hike over steep and uneven terrain (900-ft. elevation gain) with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers. Ages 18 and up. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, James Dilley Preserve (I-5 or 405 south to 133 south to stoplight at 73 toll road; and make a U-turn, go 1 block. Dilley is on the right.)
Online reservations required: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. For questions, call 949-497-8324 Mon-Fri or 949-923-2235 Sat/Sun. Parking: $3/vehicle.