We start our ride through OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space on the paved Hicks Haul Road, the extension of Jeffrey Rd north of Portola Pkwy. As we warm up on the climb to the top of the road, we enjoy increasingly beautiful views over Irvine. We then follow Loma Ridge to the East, with fantastic vistas of Orange County, the surrounding wildlands, and even Catalina Island on clear days. From Loma Ridge, we descend on a single track to Box Springs which provides year-round water for wildlife like deer. After the springs, we continue to the Sinks, Orange County’s own “Grand Canyon,” where we enjoy our snacks during a short break. On our way back, we ride along Limestone Ridge, a fun singletrack that leads us towards the Augustine Staging area, enjoying views of Saddleback and Santiago Canyon. From there we will climb back up to Loma Ridge, and then coast back down on the paved Hicks Haul Road to our starting point. Motorized recreation vehicles of any class or type are not permitted for use in the Nature Preserve.

Spend your morning helping IRC and REI plant native shrubs within the new Butterfly Islands in Limestone. With your help we will be able to create “islands” of host and nectar plants for butterflies in decline in Limestone Canyon.

Hiking in spring and early summer is a treasure hunt of color as wildflowers are abloom in the Santiago Oaks Regional Park. Get away from everyday life as you breathe in the crisp morning air and enjoy the invigorating rolling hills of Santiago Oaks Regional Park. Your heart healthy adventure will inspire awe as you witness the beautiful wildflowers and the stunning Santiago Oaks vistas. We will make periodic stops to identify some of our local wildflowers and plants. The trail is uneven in places so wear sturdy shoes.

It’s easy to think many of the birds we see and hear look and act the same. But do they? Bring your binoculars and join us on a slow/medium paced walk in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, as we search for resident and visiting birds of the local coastal sage scrub, oak woodland, riparian, and grassland habitats. We will discuss the diverse features of the birds we observe and how they match the season, their habitat and lifestyle. We will travel mostly on ranch roads, usually without shade. Beginners to advanced bird enthusiasts are welcome. Please wear sturdy shoes suitable for hiking and bring water, along with sun protection such as a hat and sunscreen. Bring a small birding field guide if you have one. A few binoculars will be available to borrow.

Join us every Monday night for a fitness-focused hike on the paved Hicks Haul Road in the Irvine Open Space Preserve. During the spring, summer and fall, hikers will enjoy wonderful sunset views and a panoramic overview of Orange County. This hike travels about 3.5 miles, up to the top of Loma Ridge and back down. The hike is conducted at about 3-3.5 miles per hour, but you may travel a bit faster or slower, at a walk, run, or jog depending on your comfort level. Most participants finish the route in about 1 hour. Because of the paved surface of the road, you may wear regular running or walking shoes. Trail shoes are fine, but not required. Please bring adequate water!

Ready for a workout? Forget the gym for the day and head outside! Join us for an exhilarating morning fitness hike on the paved Hicks Haul Road in OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. This hike allows you to choose between a 3, 6, or 8 mile route, all of which are conducted at the speed of about 3.0 to 3.5 miles per hour. The footing on the asphalt paved road is smoother than dirt roads and single track trails normally found in Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, but is beginning to show its age with cracks, crevices and an occasional dip. Otherwise, the terrain is smooth, so this is a great walk for anyone who wants a “wilderness experience” without getting dirty! The 6 and 8 mile routes experience two fairly steep ascents and descents. The 3 mile route takes you to the top of Loma Ridge and back down. Along the way, you will have sweeping views of much of Orange County and the Santa Ana Mountains. Various animals, like hawks, deer, and lizards are also frequently seen in this area.

Join us as we explore the Irvine Open Space Preserve on this hike through Bommer and Shady Canyons. We’ll begin at the Cattle Camp, where ranch equipment of old still stands. After a steep ascent on the East Fork trail, we’ll make our way across part of Serrano Ridge and descend into Shady Canyon to the Butterfly Valley trail. Here, you’ll experience some of the most mature Coastal Sage Scrub in all of Orange County. After a short stop we’ll return the same way. Total round trip distance is 9 miles with an elevation gain of 1500 feet at an average moving rate of 2.5 miles per hour. All participants must carry their own water! Please come prepared with a pack, plenty of water, snacks, sturdy closed-toe hiking shoes or boots, sunscreen, first aid, and all other supplies to keep you safe and healthy on the trail. Under-prepared participants may be denied access to the event!

Non-native and invasive plant species are invading our native habitat and open spaces. They aggressively compete with our native plants for resources and spreads rapidly once established. Monitoring, management, and removal of these plant species is an important aspect of land management and habitat restoration.

Help us to manage populations of invasive plants and remove them from the habitat. No previous experience is necessary, just a desire to work outside and get dirty! Snake chaps, gloves, and tools will be provided but please feel free to bring your own if you have them. Please wear long pants, long sleeved shirts, close toed shoes, and protective sun protection. Note: This is a wilderness area, there are natural hazards. Snakes, including rattlesnakes, are occasionally seen here.

This hike is for the same route as Bommer Canyon to Butterfly Valley hike.

All IRC volunteers must be in IRC uniform (with proper landowner [City of Irvine] identification/patch), including your badge(s).

Before leaving your home to report for the activity, fill your water bottle, bring everything you need to be healthy, and conduct a self-assessment.

Please take note of the trail conditions and take photos of any issues, especially those that might impact the public’s access of the trail, such as areas that are impassable or highly saturated. It will be helpful to note the exact location of any photos taken.

As soon as possible after the Assessment Hike, please send an email to 1) Tony Pointer (tpointer@irconservancy.org) AND 2) IRC Activity Operations (activityoperations@irconservancy.org) with your observations including (but not limited to):

1. Weather during your hike
2. Overall impression of the trail (saturated, wet, impassable, dry, etc.)
3. Any problem spots (fallen branches, etc.)
4. Provide photos and exact location of any problem spots
5. Wildlife sightings
6. Other hikers?

Please also remember that if you find that you are making ½” or deeper footprints on any of the trails, please do not continue! Immediately report that information to Tony Pointer and IRC Activity Operations.

Spend the morning watering and nurturing Tecate Cypress trees and Coast Live Oak seedlings at the Fremont Staging area. Please be aware that you may be instructed to use tools for this activity such as but not limited to, pliers, mallets, trowels and shovels.

Looking for a way to give back to nature this Spring? Come help us behind the scenes at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm! In this evening activity, attendees will learn about one to two (1-2) target species before assisting staff in weeding efforts around our native plant crops. Working with us at the Native Seed Farm is a great way to grow your community and cultivate knowledge about local plant and wildlife! Absolutely no experience or special equipment required!

Reviewing the 1-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this Level 3 activity. Activities may include bending, stooping, crouching, squatting, long periods of standing, reaching, pulling, grabbing, and pushing.

Enjoy an evening hike through stunning rock formations and fragrant native plants as you listen to the sounds of nature. This hike in the Irvine Open Space Preserve is done at an easy walking pace. This out-and-back program travels 3.5 miles round trip to scenic Loma Ridge and back down. Please bring a red-tinted flashlight as the return portion of the hike may be after sunset.

Due to recent rain, the City of Irvine has asked IRC to assess its seven-day access trail system. The purpose of this is to evaluate trails and report on conditions for public access before the busy holiday week.

This hike is for the seven-day access trails in Bommer Canyon: Bommer Meadow, Bommer Canyon (trail along the road), Nature Loop, West Fork, Turtle Ridge singletrack, Community Trail.

A minimum of one Trail Guide may register. If more register, they should go on the assessment together, but may split up to look at various trail segments, if needed.

(We don’t actually need a certified “Docent/Lead” to sign up to do this; it can be one or more Trail Guides.) Activity time can be determined by the volunteer(s) but must be within the regular “open” hours for the trail system.

All IRC volunteers must be in IRC uniform (with proper landowner [City of Irvine] identification/patch), including your badge(s).

Before leaving your home to report for the activity, fill your water bottle, bring everything you need to be healthy, and conduct a self-assessment.

Please take note of the trail conditions and take photos of any issues, especially those that might impact the public’s access of the trail, such as areas that are impassable or highly saturated. It will be helpful to note the exact location of any photos taken.

As soon as possible after the Assessment Hike, please send an email to 1) Tony Pointer (tpointer@irconservancy.org) AND 2) IRC Activity Operations (activityoperations@irconservancy.org) with your observations including (but not limited to):

1. Weather during your hike
2. Overall impression of the trail (saturated, wet, impassable, dry, etc.)
3. Any problem spots (fallen branches, etc.)
4. Provide photos and exact location of any problem spots
5. Wildlife sightings
6. Other hikers?

Please also remember that if you find that you are making ½” or deeper footprints on any of the trails, please do not continue! Immediately report that information to Tony Pointer and IRC Activity Operations.

Due to recent rain, the City of Irvine has asked IRC to assess its seven-day access trail system. The purpose of this is to evaluate trails and report on conditions for public access before the busy holiday week.

This hike is for the Quail Hill Loop only, which is one of the seven-day access trails.

A minimum of one Trail Guide may register. If more register, they should go on the assessment together. (We don’t actually need a certified “Docent/Lead” to sign up to do this; it can be one or more Trail Guides.) Activity time can be determined by the volunteer(s) but must be within the regular “open” hours for the trail system.

All IRC volunteers must be in IRC uniform (with proper landowner [City of Irvine] identification/patch), including your badge(s).

Before leaving your home to report for the activity, fill your water bottle, bring everything you need to be healthy, and conduct a self-assessment.

Please take note of the trail conditions and take photos of any issues, especially those that might impact the public’s access of the trail, such as areas that are impassable or highly saturated. It will be helpful to note the exact location of any photos taken.

As soon as possible after the Assessment Hike, please send an email to 1) Tony Pointer (tpointer@irconservancy.org) AND 2) IRC Activity Operations (activityoperations@irconservancy.org) with your observations including (but not limited to):

1. Weather during your hike
2. Overall impression of the trail (saturated, wet, impassable, dry, etc.)
3. Any problem spots (fallen branches, etc.)
4. Provide photos and exact location of any problem spots
5. Wildlife sightings
6. Other hikers?

Please also remember that if you find that you are making ½” or deeper footprints on any of the trails, please do not continue! Immediately report that information to Tony Pointer and IRC Activity Operations.

Curious to learn about the plants among us, who’s sus and who’s not? Join us for a hike at Newport Beach’s Buck Gully Reserve where we’ll look at local flora, talk about native and non-native species, and learn how different plants impact our ecosystems. Learning to identify plants, both native and non-native, is a great way to cultivate knowledge about local flora and fauna!

This activity is geared towards participants who are curious about our local plants and ecosystem. Please bring water and all items needed to keep you safe during our walk. Hats and sunscreen are highly recommended as there is no shade along this route.

Invasive Removal: Sahara Mustard

Coordinated with IRC Staff Isaac Ostmann

Walk up HHR to West Loma, out West Loma to site of infestation

OC Parks invites you to come and learn more about one of our most common mammals: the clever cottontail rabbit. Join us for a fun program to learn more about these amazing creatures and how their populations thrive in our parks!

This program includes a story time, an age-appropriate hike, and a themed craft.

Activities will begin at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. Program content is tailored for the preschool and kindergarten level (ages 2-6), but all are welcome to attend. Please wear comfortable attire and closed-toe shoes.

The program and parking are free. Advance registration is required.

Adverse weather may cancel the program or move it indoors.

For kids 7 and up. Join OC Park Naturalists in exploring how you use your 5 senses to interpret the world around you. We will put your senses to the test, hypothesize reasons for why plants smell so nice and why deer have such large ears, all while enjoying a small hike along Mary’s Trail. We will meet at the amphitheater outside of the Nix Nature Center: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach 92651. Online reservations are required. Please bring water and wear hat and closed-toed shoes. Parking is $3.

Registration at lagunacanyon.org/events is require. Please register here.

Leave the weekday chaos behind and dive into the peaceful beauty of Irvine Natural Landmarks with our energizing after-work cardio hike. Forget about the day’s worries as we trek through stunning landscapes, breathing in the fresh air and taking in the scenic views. Come along for a journey through winding paths and picturesque vistas, where we can recharge and refresh ourselves in the tranquility of nature.

Join us every Wednesday night in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space for a fitness-focused hike on the paved Hicks Haul Road. During the spring, summer and fall, hikers will enjoy wonderful sunset views and a panoramic overview of Orange County. This hike travels about 3.5 miles, up to the top of Loma Ridge and back down. The hike is conducted at an average of 3-3.5 miles per hour, but you may travel a bit faster or slower, at a walk, run, or jog depending on your comfort level. Most participants finish the route in about 1 hour. Because of the paved surface of the road, you may wear regular running or walking shoes. Trail shoes are fine, but not required. Please bring adequate water!