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Tag Archives: irvine

LIMESTONE CANYON GRAND TOUR

02 Monday Apr 2012

Posted by Alex G in Distance hikes, Outdoors, Strenuous Hikes

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

CONSERVANCY, distance, Hiking, irvine, limestone, outdoors, RANCH, THE SINKS

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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

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  • estimated hike time 7 hours
  • 16 miles
  • only available through IRC
  • over 1,500 ft elev. gain

 

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AGUA CHINON TO THE SINKS

16 Thursday Feb 2012

Posted by Alex G in Moderate Hikes, Outdoors, Strenuous Hikes

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Agua Chinon, CONSERVANCY, Hiking, irvine, oc, ocparks, RANCH, THE SINKS, Trails

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The “Sinks” is a beautiful sight to see and is located right in our own backyard! It is only accessible via private hikes through the Irvine Ranch Conservancy you can sign up for many other other activities on their website.

imageimageThe 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.

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The Sinks

This is one of my favorite IRC hikes and is usually available once a week. At just under 6 miles this hike offers a great workout in a short amount of time.

Happy Trails,

Alex G.

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Parking for this hike is located at the Portola Staging Area

• 2.8 miles to the sinks
• Only available through IRC
• Difficulty – moderate

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Blackstar Canyon Waterfall

18 Thursday Aug 2011

Posted by octrailhikers in Cave, Outdoors, Strenuous Hikes, Waterfalls

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

blackstar, canyon, cave, county, Creek, Hiking, irvine, oc, orange, salamander, waterfall

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     If you have grown up in OC, chances are that you have heard the stories surrounding Blackstar Canyon. These stories range from hauntings to cult sacrifices to murderous  squatters. While I’m not willing to confirm or deny the validity of any of these tales, I can tell you that there is indeed a pretty spectacular waterfall hidden here.
     Most hikers that venture into Blackstar Canyon never make it quite far enough into the canyon to find the waterfall trail. Those that do make it in are likely to pass right by the shrub covered creek entrance. From the parking area the creek entrance is 2.5 miles along a relatively flat fire road, and you can find it as long as you know what to look for. You will easily spot a couple of large concrete tubes at the point where the trail begins to climb. Directly to the right of these cylinders you will spot a small clearance in the brush that is bordering the trail. This is the entrance down into the creek.
     The creek  portion of the hike provides some pretty challenging boulder climbing which is obviously most difficult in the winter and spring months due to the rain. The trek through the creek is an additional 2.5 miles, but plan on it feeling more like 4 miles when you factor in all of the climbing. Be sure to pack plenty of water and some light snacks. A first aid kit would also be a wise choice. This trail is covered in poison oak and I have witnessed a pretty nasty cut resulting in 14 stitches as well as someone taking a tumble from the cave that is alongside the waterfall.
     This is one of the more challenging trails that I have experienced in OC, but I would say that the payoff is well worth it. The Blackstar Canyon Waterfall is a spectacular site especially in the rainy season, and it is still very impressive in the dry season when the water is but a trickle. When you first lay eyes upon it I’m sure you’ll be just as surprised as I was that such a thing exists right in our own backyard.

-FPMiv
    

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