**PLEASE NOTE: Policies and guidelines may have changed since this blog was posted.**

Safety has always been a top priority for most people when they spend time in nature. However, because of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we all need to rethink how we approach our time outdoors to make sure we keep ourselves and our fellow nature lovers safe. Before you head out on your next adventure, we encourage you to keep the following added measures in mind.

First and foremost, if you feel sick, you should stay home and seek medical advice from your doctor. Following the latest CDC advice and using the CDC coronavirus self-checker tool can help you decide if it’s safe for you to venture outdoors. If you are able to head outside, it is important to check and make sure that the trail or park you wish to visit is open before you go. During these uncertain times, parks and trails can be closed on short notice for a variety of reasons, so it is good to know their status before you make the effort to travel to your destination. Check LetsGoOutside.org for the status of City of Irvine-owned trails, and be sure to check the OC Parks website before heading out to any OC Parks trails or facilities. You should also check to make sure your pack has all the essentials you will need for your trip, including water. We encourage everyone to add the following items to their pack to limit the potential transmission of infectious diseases:

​From open space to regional parks, the extensive trail network across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks allows the public to get out and experience the beauty of nature. Irvine Ranch Conservancy, on behalf of OC Parks, City of Irvine, and the City of Newport Beach, work diligently to maintain the Landmarks through restoration projects, wildlife monitoring, trail maintenance and much more. 
 
In order to properly maintain restoration projects and protect habitat on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, visitors should always remain on designated trails when hiking, biking or riding through the Landmarks. For nature enthusiasts, creating their own trail might seem like an adventure, but this can be harmful to the environment. Creating your own path or “shortcut,” using unmarked trails or creating switchbacks can cause erosion, damage wildlife habitat and enable illegal trespassing. It is better for our local environment, and more enjoyable, to take your time and stay on the trail.  

​Help Irvine Ranch Conservancy celebrate National Trails Day on Saturday, June 1! Occurring annually on the first Saturday in June, National Trails Day was created by the American Hiking Society to encourage outdoor enthusiasts to pledge to improve trails around the world. The pledge can involve anything from collecting trash along trails to partaking in stewardship activities to support the health and beauty of trailside habitat. Celebrate National Trails Day by taking in the breath-taking views and lush landscape on local trails throughout the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.
 
Irvine Ranch Conservancy has collaborated with local landowners, partner organizations and volunteers to develop stewardship programs that provide an array of options for the public to take part in improving the quality of the trails while enjoying the outdoors. From the Second Sundays Restoration Program offered every month at Upper Newport Bay to Collecting Wildflower Seeds at the Native Seed Farm, there are numerous opportunities to volunteer on the Landmarks.

​Built into the Shady Canyon trail network in the City of Irvine’s Open Space Preserve, Rabbit Run trail is well known among mountain biking and hiking enthusiasts for its technical challenges and natural beauty.  However, over the years erosion has taken its toll, leaving certain portions of the trail with deep ruts caused by water runoff.  In some sections, these ruts were bordered by sharply slanting rocks, making the trail difficult to negotiate for both hikers and bikers.

Following trail etiquette helps everyone stay safe and enjoy the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. 

With summer in full swing, explorers are discovering the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks by foot, bike, and horseback. As visitors take advantage of the warm weather on the open spaces and nature preserves, it’s important to remember most of the trails on the Landmarks are multi-use trails and enjoyed by mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians. Learning and practicing proper trail etiquette can help all explorers stay safe and enjoy the trails this summer and beyond.
 
Some visitors may have seen the “Yield Triangle” sign while adventuring through the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. This sign is a graphic representation of the base trail etiquette rule: bikers yield to equestrians and hikers and hikers yield to equestrians. 

Staying on designated trails is important to protecting the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

It can happen quickly. One person or group walks off a designated trail, tramples native grasses and vegetation, and leaves an informal path that others are more likely to follow.
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“It’s a compounding problem,” says Jill Sprance, Field Operations Manager at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. “Unmarked or social trails are bad because they fragment habitat, kill plants, and get worse as more people use them.”

Additionally, social trails are often formed in direct lines up or down hillsides—instead of the typical switchback pattern of designated trails—which allows water to run straight downhill and cause harmful rutting and erosion. With the help of Trail Crew volunteers, the Irvine Ranch Conservancy Field Operations Team uses a range of tactics to remove unauthorized trails including planting cactus, shrubs, and grasses to cover the trail and roping off unauthorized trails. Recent trail rehabilitation efforts have been completed in the City of Irvine’s Bommer Canyon in the Irvine Open Space Preserve, and Changala’s Pass along Loma Ridge, which is part of the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve too.
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One key to making sure you’re on a designated trail is to look for signs. “If you think you’re on a trail, but there’s no sign designating it as a trail, it’s not a trail,” Sprance says. “No sign equals no trail.”

​There are many opportunities for members of the public to volunteer on social trail restoration efforts this fall and winter. For more information on upcoming stewardship programs, visit www.LetsGoOutside.org/activities.

​Tips and tricks to stay safe on the trails
 
Beautiful sites, enticing sounds, and a great work out are just a few reasons to explore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Lacing up your hiking boots and getting out onto the trails can help relieve stress, boost morale, and improve overall health. To ensure the best experience on the Landmarks, it’s important to know how to choose the hike that’s right for you and learn the dos and don’ts of hiking to stay safe in the outdoors.
 
Before signing up for an activity and getting out on the Landmarks, it’s important to read and understand the activity description and difficulty rating. Distance, pace, elevation gain, and trail surface are key factors considered when determining the difficulty rating. Each activity includes a difficulty rating between 1-5 to ensure participants are mentally and physically prepared for the hike.

Warmer temperatures and the recent rains are bringing snakes out on the lands – discover why they’re generally not harmful and what to do if you see one!
 
As the weather gets warmer, Orange County locals and visitors begin to hit the trails on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks to enjoy a variety of activities that are free with registration. Nature lovers aren’t the only ones enjoying the sun’s rays, snakes are also starting to come out on the Landmarks! The open spaces are home to hundreds of species of plants and animals, and snakes are important part of the natural ecosystem. Despite their infamous reputation, snakes are generally evasive and want to avoid human contact whenever possible. Below you can learn more about snakes in Orange County, why their numbers are expected to increase over summer, and how visitors to the Landmarks can happily coexist with the land and wildlife around them. 

Winter often brings needed rain and more greenery to the open space, but it’s important to minimize wet weather damage on the trails to keep native plants and wildlife thriving.
 
Winter is officially here in Orange County, and the past few weeks have brought some much-needed rain to the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Wet weather is a welcome change that helps flora and fauna on the Landmarks thrive, but it can also pose a challenge for trails. Landowners including OC Parks, the City of Irvine, and the City of Newport Beach work hard to evaluate potential storm damage to trails and keep trails fun and sustainable, but understanding how to minimize trail damage from a visitor’s perspective is vital to keeping the open space enjoyable and accessible when the sun is back out.

Following trail etiquette helps everyone enjoy the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Warmer weather, green hillsides and blooming flowers make spring a popular season to visit the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Most trails within the Landmarks are multi-use trails – shared by hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians – and sharing the trails is everyone’s responsibility. With Spring Break in full swing for many, the potential for more people out on the trails means it’s even more important to practice responsible trail etiquette.

Minimizing rain damage to trails keeps native plants and wildlife thriving.

The hints of winter weather are finally here! Orange County was happy to see some much-needed rain this past weekend, with some areas of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks reportedly getting as much as 0.28 inches of rainfall in one night.

​While the skies have dried for now, more is likely coming. The El Niño weather pattern is expected to hit Orange County in 2016, and is forecast to be one of the strongest on record. The expected rain is a welcome change for flora and fauna, but California’s recent drought has left many trail surfaces so dry that even those constructed to direct runoff into surrounding habitat could be overwhelmed by an abundance of rain. Landowners and managers are prepared to evaluate potential storm damage and reduce long-term effects, but you too can minimize rain damage by understanding wet trail conditions and abiding by closures to the trail system.

Guided hikes along the two loop trails in Irvine’s Orchard Hills area begin in July.

The top of the Orchard Hills upper loop offers one of the most spectacular views available in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Soon visitors to this part of the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve will once again be able to enjoy the view – and the challenging climb to get there. The trails have been closed due to nearby construction, but are open for guided hikes beginning this summer.

Construction of a new trailhead facility is scheduled to be in early fall, but the over 3-mile trail system will open with a temporary staging area for interpretive and fitness programs guided on behalf of the City by Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff and volunteer naturalists.

Southern California is expected to see increased rain this winter, which will have a dramatic effect on local trails. While the flora and fauna need the rain, California’s record drought has left trail surfaces too dry to handle an abundance of rainfall. Even trails constructed to direct runoff into surrounding habitat will be overwhelmed by sudden rain after such a dry spell.

Landowners and managers are at the ready, prepared to evaluate potential storm damage and reduce long-term effects. However, trail users can help make sure rain damage is minimized by understanding wet trail conditions and abiding by closures to the trail system. 

Gain additional health benefits from outdoor exercise versus working out in a gym.

Before taking another trip to the gym, consider a change of scenery from your regular fitness routine. More and more studies show the positive benefits of spending time outdoors, so exercising outdoors seems to be the perfect combination for your mind, body, and soul.

Exercising outdoors exposes you to natural sunlight and increases your intake of vitamin D. This time outdoors also offers a break from technology and a busy lifestyle. Hicks Haul Road is a great choice of a fitness spot for people who want a rewarding outdoor workout. The hike offers spectacular views of Irvine, but doesn't require any special gear other than normal running shoes. While the road is paved, the surroundings are wild, with active natural habitats and plenty of opportunities for wildlife sightings.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Trail reopens after months of work by community members.

With the help of non-profit organizations, members of the public and community groups, OC Parks reopened the Emerald Canyon Trail at the end of June. The trail was closed due to extensive damage sustained after heavy rains in 2010. The trail reconstruction included constructing a 60-foot bridge over a landslide area.

The project is a partnership between OC Parks, as the land owner, and Irvine Ranch Conservancy and Laguna Canyon Foundation, as non-profit support groups focused on the protection and preservation of the open space. Working together with community groups such as SHARE Mountain Bike Club and other volunteers from the public, the challenging project made constant progress over a six-month period.

Trail-side habitat has been restored and paths upgraded along Bommer Pass Trail. 
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The Bommer Pass Trail in the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve re-opened March 28. The trail was closed in January so that the Irvine Ranch Conservancy could perform trail maintenance and habitat restoration. The Conservancy, which manages the City’s Open Space Preserve, worked with volunteers to restore habitat and improve trail drainage during the 3-month project.

The Bommer Pass Trail was opened for daily public access in 2011. Visitors use the trail to bypass the Cattle Camp events area, and to connect to the rest of the Bommer Canyon trail system. From Bommer Canyon, trails connect all the way to Crystal Cove State Park beach. During the closure, a path near Cattle Camp led visitors to the connecting trails. Informative signs along this path informed visitors of the work being done to the trail.

Trail work activities benefit land and visitors across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Volunteers are needed to work with Irvine Ranch Conservancy Field Operations staff to reroute trails in the City of Irvine’s Open Space Preserve. The trail work will close unsustainable sections of trails and replace them with more sustainable paths that will better withstand weather and recreational use.

On November 17 and December 7, Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff and trail volunteers will work on sections of Shady Canyon trails in the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve, improving user experience and drainage. About 400 feet of both the Cattle Crest and Rabbit Run trails will be re-routed during these two activities. Members of the public will be trained in the use of hand tools to help shape the trail and complete path-clearing already done by heavy machinery.

Celebrate the outdoors with events throughout the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Celebrate National Trails Day in a National Natural Landmark, right here in Orange County. On Saturday, June 1, the 21st annual celebration will include local activities throughout the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

The largest local event will be at Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, where OC Parks and Irvine Ranch Conservancy will host a Wilderness Access Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can enjoy self-guided hiking, biking and horseback riding through majestic Limestone Canyon. The preserve is home to The Sinks, an expansive geological formation, and Conservancy volunteers will be on hand throughout the trail system to help guide visitors.

Flat trails and slow-paced activities are the perfect way to start getting outdoors.

So you’re not quite ready to hit the hills, but you want to get out into the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks? Just take it easy. There are many easy trails to explore and activities held weekly to meet the needs of folks looking for a stroll outdoors or those who want to build up to more challenging hikes.

In the beautiful local wilderness, “easy” doesn't mean “boring.” Most birding programs are on easy trails and are slow-paced, with constant wildlife sightings and trained docents to identify your new feathered friends. Another popular easy trek is the Red Rocks Trail in Black Star Canyon (pictured). The wide trail is surrounded by lush native plants and wildlife, and docent-led hikes often include background on the geologic and natural history of the area. Wilderness Access Days are also a good way to get some assistance in choosing a hike that suits your abilities.

Many Newport Beach residents have enjoyed the trails in Upper Buck Gully, but now the trails are a lot more user-friendly – and habitat-friendly. A recent trail renovation project made possible by the City of Newport Beach, State of California and Irvine Ranch Conservancy included the dramatic placement of four bridges by helicopter, as well as other improvements along the three-mile gully.

Four aluminum bridges, ranging in length from 35 to 50 feet, were installed in April and anchored in place. The bridges span areas that were previously traversed in ways that weren’t optimum for the traveler, or for the ecosystem. Conservationists and planners call trails like the ones forged in Buck Gully “social trails.” These trails are created by the trail users, and can create opportunities for weed invasion and erosion. Since the trails are not created by public landowners, social trails in some areas can even lead into private property, causing the user to trespass unknowingly.

Reconstructed trails are better for visitors and for the environment.

Newport Beach Mayor Nancy Gardner was joined by residents and partners to dedicate more than three miles of renovated trails in the Buck Gully Reserve. A recent trail renovation project made possible by the City of Newport Beach, State of California and Irvine Ranch Conservancy included the dramatic placement of four bridges by helicopter, as well as other improvements in the 300-acre gully.

Four aluminum bridges, ranging in length from 35 to 50 feet, were installed in April and anchored in place. The bridges span areas that were previously traversed in ways that weren’t optimum for the traveler, or for the ecosystem. Conservationists and planners call trails like the ones forged in Buck Gully “social trails.” These trails are created by the trail users, and can create opportunities for weed invasion and erosion. Since the trails are not created by public landowners, social trails in some areas can even lead into private property, causing the user to trespass unknowingly.