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Trail Tips for Wet Weather on the Landmarks

1/12/2017

 
PictureHiking too soon after rain can cause long-lasting damage to trails.
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.


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Take Trail Traffic in Stride

3/25/2016

 
PictureTrail etiquette says bikers yield to hikers, and bikers and hikers yield to equestrians.
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.


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Protecting Trails During Wet Weather

12/18/2015

 
PictureHiking too soon after heavy rain can cause long-lasting damage to trails.
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.


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Orchard Hills Trails Reopening for Naturalist-Led Activities

7/3/2015

 
Picture
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.


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Handling Spring Trail Traffic

3/13/2015

 
Picture
Whether on foot, peddling on a bike, or mounted on horseback, following trail rules helps everyone enjoy the Landmarks.

Spring is a great time to hit the trails in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. While you explore the canyons and ridges of these open spaces and nature preserves, please keep in mind that most trails within the Landmarks are multi-use trails – they are shared by hikers and bikers, and many are shared with equestrians as well. Knowing proper trail etiquette and courtesies is a good way to ensure trail safety and enjoyment for everyone.


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    Welcome to the Irvine Ranch Conservancy "News from the Field" blog. These articles are written by Conservancy staff about activities and projects in and near the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. 

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Irvine Ranch Conservancy  •  4727 Portola Pkwy. Irvine, CA 92620  •  714-508-4757  •  info@irconservancy.org

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  • Home
  • What We Do
    • Resource Management
    • Planning & Field Operations
    • Public Participation
    • Landmarks Blog
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Our Partners
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Volunteer