Category: Baker Canyon

Black Star Canyon Trails and Views Are Worth the Trip

8/22/2019

Black Star Canyon

The canyon marks the boundary between the northeastern expanse of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and the Cleveland National Forest beyond.

Want to take in panoramic views of soaring red rock cliffs, vistas of Irvine Lake, and—on clear days—a peek at Catalina Island? Then take advantage of Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park, where miles of varied trails offer pleasant strolls for beginning hikers and families, and also challenging experiences for seasoned trail users.

Black Star Canyon and the adjacent Baker Canyon are historical hot spots, with tales and stories harkening to the region’s ranching days, its once-numerous population of California grizzly bears, and the region’s first residents—the Gabrieleño-Tongva peoples.

Black Star Canyon Trails and Views Are Worth the Trip

7/5/2017

A hiker crosses from Baker Trail to Silmod Trail in Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park.

Black Star Canyon marks the boundary between the northeastern expanse of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and the Cleveland National Forest beyond.

Want to take in panoramic views of soaring red rock cliffs, vistas of Irvine Lake, and—on clear days—a peak at Catalina Island? Then take advantage of Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park, where miles of varied trails offer pleasant strolls for beginning hikers and families, and also challenging experiences for seasoned trail users.

Black Star Canyon and the adjacent Baker Canyon are historical hotspots, with tales and stories harkening to the region’s ranching days, its once-numerous population of California grizzly bears, and the region’s first residents—the Gabrieleno and Tongva peoples.

Trade TV for the Trails

4/21/2016

Embrace Screen-Free Week and explore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

With all the technology people have right at their fingertips, it can be easy at times to forget what adventures await outdoors. National Screen-Free Week, May 2-8, is a program by the non-profit Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood encouraging people to put their smartphones away and embrace life beyond digital entertainment. Multiple locations within the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are close to Orange County residents, so it’s the perfect place to go to grab a breath of fresh air and connect with the outdoors.

Leap into the Landmarks

2/19/2016

Take a cue from mule deer and leap into the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks during a variety of docent-led programs.

This year is a leap year, giving us 366 days in 2016 instead of 365. While the Earth takes some much-needed time to completely orbit around the sun, why not make the most of the extra 24 hours? With our unseasonably warm weather and ample sunshine, take advantage of this year’s bonus day by exploring outdoors with your family and friends.

There are plenty of family-friendly programs happening on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. To help choose the best one for your group, the LetsGoOutside.org site lists a “Difficulty Rating” with each activity.

The difficulty rating is based on factors including the activity’s distance, elevation gain, and trail surface to help visitors determine which program is right for them. Activities assigned a Level 1 or 2 Difficulty Rating are often slower paced and a great option to consider when looking to connect with the land while bonding with your family. All programs listed below are a Level 2 Difficulty Rating, making them an optimal outing for nearly anyone in your group. Each activity has a minimum age limit, so check that out on the website as well.

Share the Landmarks with Someone Special

2/5/2016

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to spot hearts out in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Give those who matter most to you the gift of quality time together outdoors this Valentine’s Day.

Wildflowers are starting to bloom; the sun is out a bit longer each night; and if you look up in the sky, you just might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of raptors courting – all sure signs Valentine’s Day is nearing in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Rather than book a reservation at a crowded, overpriced restaurant to celebrate, surprise your loved one this year with an outdoor adventure.

Whether it’s a romantic night hike, an adventurous outing, or an excursion for the whole family, show the people who matter most to you one of the most special sights in Orange County by exploring the Landmarks together this Valentine’s Day. Read more below to see which activity is right for you.

Monthly Activity Offers Chance to ‘Shhh… Hike, Look and Listen’

5/22/2015

Monthly nature walk in Baker Canyon offers the chance to listen to the natural sounds of the canyon.

Slowly walking along a meandering trail is a great way to shed away the day’s stresses. On Thursday, you can join a unique nature walk in OC Parks’ Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park that not only takes a slower pace, but also focuses on quiet enjoyment of nature’s noises. Take in the beauty of local wilderness while watching for soaring red-trailed hawks, listening to bird calls and inhaling the fragrance of the trailside sage plants during the “Shhh… Hike, Look and Listen” hike. This monthly activity is designed to give participants the opportunity to hike quietly and meditatively while taking in the sounds of nature.

Eat Your Way through the History of the Landmarks

4/17/2015

Learn about the many ways humans have used native plants throughout history.

On Saturday, April 25, you can celebrate the week of Earth Day by joining Irvine Ranch Conservancy volunteer naturalists for “Celebrate Cultures in Nature: Native American Flora Uses.” This informative and family-friendly hike will take place in the Baker Canyon area of OC Parks’ Black Star Wilderness Park, and visitors will have the chance to sample treats similar to the native plants people have been eating over the centuries.

During a short hike in Baker Canyon, docents will discuss how early settlers of the area survived and thrived on what nature has to offer. The trained naturalists will point out native plants along the trail and discuss how each species has been used in various ways over the years. Before the hike, participants can sample various natural treats that could have been harvested entirely from ingredients provided by local plants. While no actual plant ingredients can or will be taken from the protected wildlands, participants can see how similar ingredients from plants farmed elsewhere are still used in items you may find in your local grocery store.

Unplug and Reconnect with Nature

8/1/2014

Irvine Ranch Conservancy is working with land owners like OC Parks to bring people and nature together.

Research is mounting about the health benefits of spending more time outdoors – not only the exercise, but of simply being in a natural setting. As we spend more time indoors and in front of digital screens, taking a break to connect with nature can help undo some of the negative effects of increasingly tech-heavy lifestyles. Luckily, there are places like Black Star Canyon, where OC Parks and Irvine Ranch Conservancy offer rides, hikes and nature walks to help you slow down and reconnect with nature.

The portion of Black Star Canyon owned by OC Parks includes Baker Canyon, part of nearly 40,000 acres of the former Irvine Ranch that have been designated as both a National and California Natural Landmark for its rare biological and geological features. The land is permanently protected as a nature preserve, with plenty of scheduled and docent-led activities to suit nearly any interest and ability.

How to 'See' Wildlife in Hot Weather

6/20/2014

Tracks on the trails tell a lot about the types of animals found in our local wilderness.

As the weather heats up, spotting wildlife during the day can be difficult. Most animals seek a cool spot to stay during the day, being more active early in the morning and later in the evening. Even if you cannot spot them, you can look for signs that animals left behind on the trail. OC Parks and the Irvine Ranch Conservancy will be hosting two separate events next weekend to teach participants how to look for these signs.

“Animals love using the trails to get from point A to point B most efficiently and to conserve energy,” says Conservancy Interpretive Specialist Kelley Reetz. “The tracks and scat they leave behind are a snapshot, telling a story about wildlife activity.”

Celebrate Spring with a Sunset Hike

4/26/2013

Activity in Baker Canyon commemorates “Walpurgis Night,” a European celebration of spring.

Across Europe, May Day is celebrated as Walpurgis Night – an evening of song and dance that commemorates the arrival of spring. Learn more about the ways that different countries put their own spin on this traditional holiday during “Celebrate Cultures in Nature: Walpurgis Night” on Wednesday, May 1.

Named for Saint Walpurga, Walpurgis Night is traditionally celebrated outdoors. For instance, people of Finland celebrate with carnivals and picnics, and the holiday is as important in that country as Christmas. In Germany, people begin gathering on April 30, celebrating through to May 1. German folklore says that witches gathered on a nearby mountain called the Brocken to await the arrival of spring.

Closing the Loop in Baker Canyon

11/26/2012

New bridge across Silverado Creek offers connection between Baker Trail and SilMod Trail.

Tackling the unique needs of trail construction and maintenance in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks takes some ingenuity, creative thinking, and lots of heavy lifting. The most recent construction project opened on the trails is the Baker Bridge, a connection point in Black Star Canyon that weighs in at nearly 15 tons.

The bridge spans Baker Creek, allowing hikers, bikers and equestrians access to the SilMod Loop Trail without having to travel along Baker Canyon Road. This connecting path will make Black Star Canyon Wilderness Access Days more convenient for all participants, but few will think about the level of complexity involved in wilderness construction.

First Official Black Star Wilderness Access Day is October 20

10/12/2012

Bimonthly event will provide hiking, biking and equestrian access to unique local wilderness areas in Black Star and Baker canyons.

As rich in history as it is in beauty, the Black Star Canyon area is full of discoveries waiting to be made. On Saturday, October 20, visitors will have the chance to explore both Black Star and Baker canyons during the first official Black Star Wilderness Access Day.

Wilderness Access Days are held regularly in Limestone Canyon and Bommer Canyon, and now the Black Star Canyon wilderness area in Silverado will be open bimonthly for self-guided hiking, biking and equestrian use. Two new trails were recently opened in the area, and were introduced to the public during the OC Parks Wilderness Celebration event in July.

Second Annual Wilderness Celebration Connects Community with Nature

8/3/2012

The Second Annual OC Parks Wilderness Celebration brought visitors closer to nature – with live birds, snakes and even a tarantula on hand for up-close inspection. New trails brought hikers, bikers and equestrians into rarely-seen areas of Baker and Black Star Canyons during the July 28 event, with more than 400 people commemorating the gift of 20,000 acres of open space to the residents of Orange County. The event was hosted by OC Parks with support from Irvine Ranch Conservancy, and OC Parks officials announced that this would be the first of many open access days in Black Star Canyon.

Participants of all ages and abilities were able to choose from easy, moderate and strenuous trails, including the new SilMod Loop and new Silverado Creek trail. Trail-goers could choose their own adventure with self-guided hiking and riding, or experience docent-led hikes that gave hikers insight into this historic and permanently-preserved natural area. Nearly 60 volunteers helped make the day possible, from patrolling trails to answering questions about local wildlife.

Family-Friendly Trails, Kids' Activities at Wilderness Celebration

7/27/2012

July 28 event features nature walks, animals and activities for all ages.

Families can discover Orange County's only National Natural Landmark together during the 2nd Annual OC Parks Wilderness Celebration in Black Star Canyon. The event is this Saturday, July 28, from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, and will introduce kids and adults alike to the wide open spaces right here in Orange County.

Kids Can Help Thwart Thistle in Open Space

3/16/2012

Family-friendly restoration events teach kids about preserving OC wildlands.

Amid the sprawling oaks and blooming wildflowers in Limestone and Baker canyons lurks a prickly menace. An invasive weed called milk thistle threatens native plants and grasses that wildlife use for food and shelter. While widespread, milk thistle is easy to pull, and OC Parks is hosting a family-friendly event that will have kids showing milk thistle who’s boss.

Black Star Canyon Trails and Views Are Worth the Trip

Black Star Canyon Trails and Views Are Worth the Trip

Trade TV for the Trails

Leap into the Landmarks

Share the Landmarks with Someone Special

Monthly Activity Offers Chance to ‘Shhh… Hike, Look and Listen’

Eat Your Way through the History of the Landmarks

Unplug and Reconnect with Nature

How to 'See' Wildlife in Hot Weather

Celebrate Spring with a Sunset Hike

Closing the Loop in Baker Canyon

First Official Black Star Wilderness Access Day is October 20

Second Annual Wilderness Celebration Connects Community with Nature

Family-Friendly Trails, Kids' Activities at Wilderness Celebration

Kids Can Help Thwart Thistle in Open Space

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