Early this week I was lucky enough to be able to join the IRC on their Limestone Canyon Grand Tour hike. This hike covers all trails exterior and interior within the boundaries of Limestone Canyon Open Space Preserve . Totaling a little over 16 miles this is a long hike with multiple ups and downs. The trailhead for this hike is located at the Augustine Staging Area just off of Santiago Canyon Road. This hike is only available by signing up on the Activities page on the IRC website.
The Sinks from East Loma Ridge
This is a great way to see the whole park in its entirety with limited distractions. You will have the whole park to yourselves!
Dripping springs
The IRC hosts an open access day once a month for self guided tours of the park, although not all trails are open one can still see most of the park within 7-8 hours.
Along the way you will make multiple stops
1. To catch your breath.
2. To visit Box and Dripping springs which have water year round (great opportunities to see wildlife).
3. Stop on Limestone Ridge and Loma Ridge to check out the views of The Santa Ana’s, Orange County and Catalina and the San Gabriels on a clear day.
4. Last but not least, to visit The Sinks! A natural landslide that occurred millions of years ago!
CLICK HERE FOR MAP AND HIKE DETAILS OF MY HIKE
- estimated hike time 7 hours
- 16 miles
- only available through IRC
- over 1,500 ft elev. gain
The Agua Chinon Trail is only 2.8 miles long but is one of the best and shortest routes to the sinks. The first mile is along the Agua Chinon wash and then the trail leaves the wash behind and starts to climb up towards the Sinks. The trail climbs several hundred feet giving you great views of Irvine to the west and the Sinks and Santa Ana mountains to the east.
