Irvine Ranch Conservancy
  • Home
    • Landmarks Blog
  • What We Do
    • Programs >
      • Habitat Restoration and Enhancement
      • Wildfire Prevention
      • Community Engagement and Education
      • Invasive Species Control
      • Plant Materials
      • Monitoring and Research
      • Planning and Infrastructure
      • Volunteer Management
    • Where We Work
    • About Us >
      • Meet the Team
      • Our Partners
      • Careers
      • Contact Us
  • Volunteer
  • Donate

Explore the Beauty of Black Star Canyon

8/26/2016

 
Picture
Visit striking geological formations, take in scenic meadows, and travel historic trails on Wilderness Access Day.
​

OC Parks’ Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park is home to the iconic Red Rocks, picturesque Baker Canyon, and serene Baker Meadow. On Wilderness Access Day: Black Star Canyon on Saturday, 9/3, visitors can hike, bike or enjoy an equestrian ride along designated trails at their own pace from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Take advantage of a day off from work this upcoming Labor Day Weekend and connect with the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Black Star Canyon is a gateway to the backcountry of the Cleveland National Forest and the northern Santa Ana Mountains, known for its soaring Red Rock cliffs and sweeping vistas of Irvine Lake and the Pacific Coast. Much of Black Star Canyon is protected open space, preserved for wildlife habitat with docent-led recreation activities. On Wilderness Access Day, designated trails are opened for self-guided access. Visitors can enjoy a short walk through coastal sage scrub, riparian, and grassland habitats; or they can embark on more strenuous 7+ mile journeys at their convenience. Explore the vista peaks and deep canyons of Baker Canyon, which encompasses 6 miles of trails, unique geological formations and several habitats in a condensed area – an ideal adventure for the moderate hiker, biker or equestrian.

While traveling the trails of Black Star Canyon over the long weekend, capture photos of the local habitat and tag #OCMountainstoSea on social media for a chance to be included in Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks' Facebook album. Trail enthusiasts can observe noteworthy geological formations and a variety of plant and animal life as they make their way through the canyon. Make sure you stay on-trail to avoid elements such as poison oak and ticks, and for the protection of the native plants our local wildlife need to survive. 

Black Star Canyon is rich with history. According to Phil Brigandi, author of “Orange County Place Names A to Z,” Black Star Canyon was formerly known as Cañon de los Indios (Canyon of the Indians), named for the Native American Tongva/Gabrieleño people who first settled there. A portion of Black Star Canyon has been named a California Historical Landmark at the Native American settlement.  The expansive area was home to grizzly bears until the late 1800s, and a variety of native animals still roam the land, including Mexican free-tailed bats, acorn woodpeckers, turkey vultures, and Southern Pacific rattlesnakes. The Black Star Mining Co. opened a mine near the mouth of the canyon in 1877 and operated on and off until the early 1900’s, ultimately providing the canyon with its current name. Black Star Canyon’s rich history has spawned many urban legends that add to the area’s mystique, attracting outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike. 

Black Star Canyon welcomes hikers, bikers, and equestrians to enjoy exploring designated trails at their own pace on Saturday, 9/3. Parking is limited and carpooling is encouraged. Wilderness Access Day is free and open to the public, and pre-registration is encouraged. Mosquitoes have been out in full force at Black Star Canyon recently, so make sure to bring bug spray in addition to sunscreen and water. No new trail users will be permitted on the land past 1 p.m., and all trails are cleared for closure by 2 p.m. No dogs are allowed and all minors age 18 or younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Click on the title above to register for Wilderness Access Day: Black Star Canyon, or for more programs on the Landmarks, go to LetsGoOutside.org/activities.
​
Wilderness Access Day is a regularly occurring program held in various wilderness parks and nature preserves on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. For a full list of Wilderness Access Days, click here. 

Comments are closed.

    About

    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. 

    Archives

    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

    Categories

    All
    Agua Chinon
    Baker Canyon
    Big Canyon
    Birds
    Black Star Canyon
    Bommer Canyon
    Buck Gully
    City Of Irvine
    City Of Newport Beach
    Crystal Cove
    Dripping Springs
    Equestrian
    Family Friendly
    Fire
    Fire Watch
    Fremont Canyon
    Grasslands
    Habitat Restoration
    Hicks Haul Road
    Hiking & Fitness
    Interpretive
    Invasive Plants
    Irvine Open Space Preserve
    Irvine Ranch Open Space
    Irvine Regional Park
    Laguna Coast
    Limestone Canyon
    Mesa Loop
    Mountain Biking
    Native Plant Nursery
    Native Plants
    Native Seed Farm
    Nighttime
    OC Parks
    OC Zoo
    O'Neill Regional Park
    Orchard Hills
    Peters Canyon Regional Park
    Quail Hill
    Red Rocks
    Round Canyon
    Safety
    San Joaquin
    Santiago Oaks Regional Park
    Stewardship
    The Sinks
    Tracking
    Trails
    Trail Work
    Upper Newport Bay
    Volunteers
    Weir Canyon
    Wilderness Access Day
    Wildflowers
    Wildlife

    RSS Feed

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

© 2016 Irvine Ranch Conservancy, All Rights Reserved.   Irvine Ranch Conservancy reserves all rights under copyright, including (without limitation) rights to photographs. No permission to copy or publish any portion of this web
site or any material posted on the website is granted without the express written permission of Irvine Ranch Conservancy. 
  • Home
    • Landmarks Blog
  • What We Do
    • Programs >
      • Habitat Restoration and Enhancement
      • Wildfire Prevention
      • Community Engagement and Education
      • Invasive Species Control
      • Plant Materials
      • Monitoring and Research
      • Planning and Infrastructure
      • Volunteer Management
    • Where We Work
    • About Us >
      • Meet the Team
      • Our Partners
      • Careers
      • Contact Us
  • Volunteer
  • Donate