Explore biodiversity at the local level as we slow down to scope out arthropods using blacklights. Most insects are hypersensitive to UV light, which is highly visible to them. Using this specialized source of light, we will examine them up close, noting different types that stop by. Bring your camera to snap some amazing close ups of these bugs and a camping chair to rest in as we sit by the wilderness edge to see creatures that are normally around but not typically seen.

Program is free though there is a Park Entrance Fee per entry vehicle.

Meet at Parking Lot P

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist, Kelley Brugmann at 714-973-6625 or Kelley.Brugmann@ocparks.com

Explore biodiversity at the local level as we slow down to scope out arthropods using blacklights. Most insects are hypersensitive to UV light, which is highly visible to them. Using this specialized source of light, we will examine them up close, noting different types that stop by. Bring your camera to snap some amazing close ups of these bugs and a camping chair to rest in as we sit by the wilderness edge to see creatures that are normally around but not typically seen.

Program is free though there is a Park Entrance Fee per entry vehicle.

Meet at Parking Lot P

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist, Kelley Brugmann at 714-973-6625 or Kelley.Brugmann@ocparks.com

Join us Sunday morning in OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space for a fitness-focused hike on the Hicks Haul Road, West Loma and Shoestring trails in Limestone Canyon. Hikers will enjoy wonderful views and a panoramic overview of Orange County. The hike starts at Hicks Haul Road staging area and will cover a distance of 8.5 miles, about 5 miles of the hike is on paved surface and rest on trails. Participants are expected to hike close to 3 miles per hour and come prepared with closed toe hiking boots or shoes, water, trail snacks, sunscreen, hat, day pack or fanny pack, and any other necessary equipment or supplies you might need to keep you safe on this hike.

Enjoy the relaxation of riding in the wilderness on empty trails. Join us on this docent-led mountain bike ride through Limestone Canyon, part of OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. We will visit Dripping Springs which is a fern covered, year-round source of water for the local wildlife. The ride will also stop at the west viewing deck for the Sinks. This is a slow-paced ride designed for the beginner that has experience riding fire roads such as Limestone Canyon or Telegraph Canyon but wants to develop their climbing and riding abilities. The ride can also be enjoyed by more advanced riders looking for a relaxed ride in a beautiful setting.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering. Motorized recreation vehicles of any class or type are not permitted for use in the Nature Preserve.

Join Mile Square Regional Park staff and volunteers in enhancing the Nature Area habitat for local wildlife. Activities may include non-native plant removal, planting natives, watering, trash cleanup, and Butterfly Garden maintenance.

No experience is necessary; please bring a hat, sunscreen, snacks, water, wear closed toe shoes and a long sleeve shirt is recommended. Tools are provided. Please arrive on time, as work will begin promptly at 8 am.

Please note, this is a weekly reoccurring activity and space is limited. Please park in the Overflow/gravel lot and meet at the volunteer shed just a few yards west of the Overflow/gravel lot entrance.

• Space is limited and pre-registration is required.
• Minors ages 16 and younger must have a legal guardian present at all times.
• Rain or heat advisories cancel the event

Come and hike with us to Dripping Springs, location of the Earthcache site listed on www.geocaching.com. The cache is titled, “Dripping Springs Aquifer- Irvine Ranch Wildlands, GC1ZC04.” This hike is open to existing geocachers, those curious about geocaching and non-geocachers alike. There will be as much time as needed at Dripping Springs so all cachers can record their data and make their observations to confidently log their visit to this cache site. Dripping Springs is a natural spring and fern grotto found in the heart of Limestone Canyon. This hike will follow Limestone Canyon and then up the Sandtrap trail and down to Dripping Springs and back through Limestone Canyon for an approximate 7-mile loop. Total climbing elevation is around 1300 feet.

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 on an equestrian ride up Agua Chinon Canyon in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. We will make our way to see the wonders of the Sinks, Orange County’s mini Grand Canyon. Bring a lunch and we can relax while we take in the beauty around us at the Sinks Viewing Deck. Then we will finish our ride back to the staging area.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

For families and children ages 12 and up who would like to join IRC-certified volunteers in OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space on a longer, slow-paced, family-oriented ride through sycamores, oaks, and habitat native to California. The route takes us to The Sinks, Orange County’s own “Grand Canyon.” Along the way, we will stop and talk about the local habitat, and hope to see some of our local native animals and raptors. The ride is an 8-9 miles with 400-800 feet of elevation gain that may require hike-a‐bike for some riders.

Motorized recreation vehicles of any class or type are not permitted for recreational use. Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level 2-3 activity on the land.  Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Enjoy an afternoon family hike in Agua Chinon, part of OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. We hike a gradual climb of 500 ft elevation as we watch for red-tailed hawks and mule deer.  This activity originates in the City of Irvine and travels into Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. The hike will average 3 miles round trip at an easy pace with a medium level of interpretation. This program is for participants who would enjoy a slower-paced gradual climb hike. Hikers should be in good health able to do a beginning hike over a variety of terrains. Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes, and bring water for the hike. Be ready to enjoy the sounds and smells of early evening.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-2 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Nature journaling is wonderful tool for nature observations, creating lasting memories, and making deeper connections with nature. Each session will cover the basics of art theory and practices, journal anatomy, and maximizing your senses. Monthly prompts will help guide your eye and ear to the wonders in nature.

Bring a nature journal and your own art materials such as pencils, pens, or watercolors. A portable chair is recommended along with sun protection, water, and snacks. Be prepared to move along the trail a short distance and sit to document the beauty around you.

Program is free though there is a Park Entrance Fee per entry vehicle. Rain may cancel the program. For questions, please contact Resource Specialist, Kelley.Brugmann@ocparks.com at 714-973-6625.

Monthly Subjects:
October: values/contrasts in nature
November: partnerships
December: winter solstice, water/riparian

Come start your week with us on our Super Treks in the Landmarks. Join us as we explore Weir Canyon, part of OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. We will hike up over Rifle Range and continue to the Overlook Trail where we will be rewarded with sweeping views of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and more distant views of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Los Angeles Basin, and Cleveland National Forest. We will return through a beautiful oak woodland. Please wear hiking shoes/boots and bring water, a trail snack, sunscreen, hat, and any other necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail. Participants must be able to hike 9+ miles with an accumulated elevation gain of 1800 feet at an average moving rate of 3 miles per hour.

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.

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.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3/4 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Explore Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, where you might see deer, bobcats, and hawks. Learn about acorn woodpeckers – the hippies of the bird world – and the wonderful ways of woodrats, as well as the peculiar nature of certain plants. Enjoy wildlife sounds, smells, and sights on this moderate 5-mile hike on rocky terrain (with less than 500 ft. elevation gain)

Please note the following safety precautions and protocols:

– Pre-registration on lagunacanyon.org is required for this event. Please register here. No walk-ups.
– Each participant must register individually. For group registration, please email derek_b@lagunacanyon.org for availability.
– Group sizes will be minimized for safety purposes.
– Each individual adult must sign the liability waiver – provided by the lead volunteers – when they arrive at the event.
– Minimum age of 16 years old accompanied by a parent/guardian. If under 18 years old, a waiver must be signed by a parent/guardian, provided at the start of the event.
– Participants must bring plenty of water, closed-toed hiking shoes, and sun protection.
– In an effort to protect all employees, volunteers, and participants, please do not attend if you are not feeling well, have symptoms of illness or have been in contact with someone who was ill.

Location: Meet at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Canyon View Staging Area. From Pacific Park/Canyon Vistas intersection, go northwest on Canyon Vistas. Park legally (note street signs) on or near Canyon Vistas, preferably between Coastal Oak and Madia (22144 region of Canyon Vistas). We will meet on the paved sidewalk easement leading toward Wood Canyon Trail. Parking: Free.

Limestone Canyon is a treasure waiting to be discovered. Join us for an early evening, moderately-paced, 5.5-mile beginning cardio hike. The hike may include a few short rest stops along the way and will be a great introduction to fitness, cardio-style hikes as well as OCParks’ magnificent Irvine Ranch Open Space.  Views of Limestone Canyon, and the surrounding wilderness, from Limestone Ridge will be the highlight of our tour.

Please bring a minimum of 48 oz. water. Come prepared with a pack, sturdy closed-toed hiking shoes or boots, sunscreen, first aid, and all other supplies to keep you safe and healthy on the trail for this beginner cardio-paced (3-3.5 mph with very few stops) hike in a wilderness area. Each participant must carry his or her own pack and water.  Under-prepared participants may be denied access to this program.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level 3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Join us for a fast-paced, introduction to cardio hiking in the Saddleback Wilderness, part of OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. Along the way, we’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Orange County and possible wildlife sightings. This is a 3.5-mile cardio hike, completed in less than 1.5 hours and includes a 350+ foot total elevation gain. This hike is for physically fit hikers who enjoy the challenge of a faster paced outdoor experience. There are no rest stops, and the average 3.5 mile per hour pace can be difficult in the wilderness setting. Please bring a minimum 32 oz. of water. Come prepared with a pack, sturdy closed-toed hiking shoes or boots, sunscreen, first aid, and all other supplies to keep you safe and healthy on the trail. Each participant must carry his or her own pack and water. Under-prepared participants may be denied access to this activity.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Join us every Wednesday night in OCParks’ 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!

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

This week in OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, we’ll hike in Limestone Canyon to Dripping Springs. The hike is a 7-mile loop hike which includes some hills and descents. In addition to the springs, we will enjoy panoramic views of the wildlands from East Loma. 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 boots. Participants must be able to hike 7 miles with an elevation gain of 1300 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. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.