Category: Mountain Biking

Explore the Beauty of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks on Two Wheels

5/1/2019

Riders on the trails

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks consist of diverse habitats and spectacular views of nature that provide nearly limitless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Whether strolling through the park, jogging along a trail, moving through a rejuvenating, open-air yoga session, or conquering steep terrain on a mountain bike, there are many ways to experience the nature of the Landmarks.

Mountain biking in the Landmarks is a unique experience. Riders travel through world-class trails with beautiful views, catching sight of local wildlife every so often. Irvine Ranch Conservancy works diligently with landowners such as OC Parks and the City of Irvine to ensure riders have a great experience on the trails.

Explore Orange County's Mini Grand Canyon with Irvine Ranch Conservancy

12/5/2018

Agua Chinon to the Sinks, Limestone Canyon

Get out and explore The Sinks during your next outdoor adventure

One of the seven wonders of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, “The Sinks” in the Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, is a hidden gem in Orange County. A geological formation consisting of layered sandstone cliffs, The Sinks are often referred to as Orange County’s Mini Grand Canyon and have become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and photographers.

The red sandstone cliffs that form The Sinks are eroded in the Sespe Formation, a geological formation of southern California which is between 20-40 million years old. Visitors to The Sinks will experience the beautiful reddish-brown sandstone that drops off sharply into the canyon forming a natural bowl.

Opt Outside and Give Thanks!

11/20/2018

Hikers in Limestone Canyon

Work off your Thanksgiving meal and #OptOutside this weekend.

Avoid the shopping chaos this weekend and #OptOutside. The Irvine Ranch Conservancy hosts over 2,500 free public activities through LetsGoOutside.org annually, including hiking, biking, equestrian, and restoration programs, and this weekend is no exception. Besides, there is no better way to burn off the calories from turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie than exploring the great outdoors.

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks offer the community a multitude of trails with diverse plants, wildlife, and geological wonders to discover. As the weather is cooling down and the holiday season is upon us, community members can escape to the Landmarks and enjoy the fresh air of the outdoors. Work off those holiday treats by participating in a variety of hiking and fitness activities offered on the open spaces.

Choose Your Own Adventure on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

10/3/2018

Register for Wilderness Access Day programs and enjoy self-guided trails

Calling all hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians! Visitors of all ages and interests can discover hiking trails and spot native plants and wildlife during Wilderness Access Day programs. Hosted on different open spaces across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, Wilderness Access Days welcome families, hikers, bikers, and equestrians with their own horse to enjoy the great outdoors. Trekkers can choose their own adventure monthly during Wilderness Access Days or daily on self-guided hiking trails while exploring their natural surroundings.

During Wilderness Access Days, trails vary in distance and level of difficulty with choices ranging from an easy stroll in the shade to strenuous 15-mile cardio hikes. While exploring the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, remember to practice trail etiquette - bikers yield to hikers and bikers and hikers yield to equestrians. Whether traveling by foot, hooves, or wheels, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy trails on the Landmarks across OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, the City of Irvine’s Bommer Canyon, and OC Parks’ Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park.

Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks: The Perfect Labor Day Weekend Escape

8/24/2018

Black Star Canyon

Whether by foot, mountain bike, or horseback, trail trekkers can discover the Landmarks this Labor Day weekend and beyond

As kids go back to school and the fall season approaches, visitors of all ages can enjoy the last days of summer on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Symbolizing the unofficial end of the summer season, Labor Day weekend is a great time for nature lovers to learn about their natural surroundings and gain a deeper appreciation for the land. All week long, nature lovers can take advantage of the warm weather with a variety of activities including hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding across the open spaces and nature preserves.

Discover the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks from Dawn to Dusk with Self-Guided Access Trails

8/16/2018

Self-guided cyclists exploring the trails

Learn more about the areas open daily for hikers, bikers, and equestrians

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are comprised of nearly 40,000 acres of open space and wildlands. The Landmarks are full of rare biologically diverse plant life, historic terrain ranging from coastlines to rugged mountain ridges, and hundreds of species of wildlife including bobcats, eagles, and badgers. Visitors of all ages can explore the open spaces daily from the inland mountains to the coast through self-guided access on several trails throughout the county.

Bommer Canyon
Located alongside Crystal Cove State Park and OC Parks’ Laguna Canyon Wilderness Park, the City of Irvine’s Bommer Canyon offers explorers a variety of trails to explore on their own or through docent-led programs. Open from dawn to dusk, families can enjoy a stroll down a meandering trail while seasoned hikers can take on steep technical trails. Hikers and mountain bikers have the opportunity to explore the mature coastal sage scrub ecosystem and discover the rich local history of one of Orange County’s last cattle camps in operation. Equestrians can also enjoy Bommer Canyon May 1 through November 30.

Explore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks on Two Wheels

2/16/2018

Mountain bikers pause for a break and to enjoy the scenery.

Leave the hiking boots at home and experience the Landmarks from a different perspective

Mountain biking programs on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks give nature lovers an opportunity to experience the open spaces on two wheels! Whether riders enjoy a fast-paced journey with steep climbs and descents through mountainous terrain or prefer taking it easy on longer, slow-paced rides through the sycamores, the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks offers versatile trails and scenery. With several mountain biking programs offered at every level, there’s a new adventure around every corner.

Experience the Natural Habitat of the City of Irvine

1/5/2018

Hikers enjoy Bommer Canyon in the City of Irvine.

Explore the open spaces in the City of Irvine during programs on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

Located in central Orange County, the City of Irvine is a thriving metropolis where thousands of people work, study, and live. However, just miles away from the hustle and bustle of city life are expansive open spaces and protected nature preserves. From Bommer Canyon to the riparian community of Agua Chinon to paved Hicks Haul Road, the City of Irvine offers the community an array of parks, preserves, and programs on Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Beat the Heat on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

7/27/2017

Stay safe under the summer sun during Wilderness Access Day at Limestone Canyon on August 5 and all season long.

Nature lovers can enjoy the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks during Wilderness Access Day programs throughout the year, and explore the lands by foot, bike, or saddle! Wilderness Access Days are free with required preregistration and give visitors the opportunity to travel through designated trails during self-guided access.

The upcoming Wilderness Access Day at Limestone Canyon kicks off at 8 a.m. on Saturday, August 5 and welcomes outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy mild walks or strenuous cardio hikes at your own pace. With summer in full swing it’s important to keep heat safety in mind, and we’ve rounded up tips on spotting heat exhaustion and staying safe under the summer sun. Check out the tips below and register for a program on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks today!

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.

Learn Something New in Nature This Weekend

10/9/2015

Photo courtesy of lupgv on Instagram.

Activities held Saturday and Sunday will teach skills you can use forever.

If you’ve visited the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, you know that there is always something new to discover. Learn a new way to look at the land this weekend, through hikes, walks, rides and workouts that will introduce you to skills such as wildlife tracking, cactus planting, mountain biking and even Zumba.

Two very exciting Saturday activities will help visitors learn about the easiest way to “see” wildlife on the trails: animal tracking. By learning which prints are which and “whose scat is that,” you can tell what type of critter was on the trail before you. In Round Canyon, the City of Irvine presents Beginner Animal Tracking, which covers the basics of spotting and identifying animal tracks over a short, 1.5-mile walk. OC Parks is presenting Watching Wildlife in Fremont Canyon, a program that also covers tracking, and will include information about raptors flying overhead near Irvine Lake. This program includes a 4 mile hike with some hills and spectacular views. Both programs are for visitors age 12 and up, and are led by Irvine Ranch Conservancy naturalists.

Exploring Historic Bommer Canyon

11/7/2014

Some trails in this former ranch area were once walked by cattle and cowboys.

Bommer Canyon in the City of Irvine’s Open Space Preserve is rich in both history and natural beauty. Up until 1998, this permanently-preserved open space had cattle grazing in Bommer Meadow and round-ups taking place just beyond Cattle Camp. Now hikers and bikers have replaced cattle and cowboys, but historic structures and equipment can still be seen from the trails.

The name Bommer Canyon first appeared on Orange County maps in the 1940s, according to Phil Brigandi’s definitive name guide, Orange County Place Names A to Z. Brigandi says that the name origin of this former cattle ranch is not quite clear, but may have come from “a corruption of ‘bummer’ – cowboy slang for a calf that lost its mother.” Whatever the origin, the name Bommer Canyon is now synonymous with the shady Cattle Camp events area, winding trails through rocky outcrops, and family-friendly meadow trails.

New Mountain Bike Skills Course, Clinics for Fall

10/3/2014

The new course offers a variety of technical challenges near bike-ready trails.

Mountain biking offers a technical challenge that many find thrilling. However, riding down a rocky hill on a narrow trail is not the time or place for beginners to learn how to safely navigate over a slick boulder or cross through a dry riverbed. Riders who are new to mountain biking or looking to refine their skills now have a new course that allows for practice in a more relaxed environment.

At the Portola Staging Area in Irvine, staff and volunteers from Irvine Ranch Conservancy have constructed a skills course with areas for beginner, intermediate and advanced mountain bikers. The staff constructed features that mimic technical challenges found out on the land. Experienced mountain bikers will guide visitors through the variety of obstacles during regular, scheduled clinics.

Exploring the Landmarks on Two Wheels Instead of Two Feet

8/23/2013

Mountain biking in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks is a unique experience. Not only are you in a National Natural Landmarks with world-class trails, but on a docent-led ride you may ride for hours and see only your fellow riders. And maybe a deer or two.

Opportunities abound for mountain bikers to enjoy the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, and with several mountain bikers on staff, the Irvine Ranch Conservancy helps make the trails and activities perfect for riders. From maintaining sustainable trails that resist erosion to designing routes that offer an exciting challenge, the Conservancy works with landowners such as OC Parks and City of Irvine to make sure riders have a good experience on the trails.