Landmarks Spotlight: Red Rocks

12/2/2022

With a fascinating history of beekeeping and mining, legends of hauntings, unique geological formations and rich plant and wildlife, Black Star Canyon has been a prominent talking point throughout Orange County for years. As the gateway to the backcountry of the Cleveland National Forest and the Santa Ana Mountains, Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park contains countless natural wonders that continue to attract visitors from day to day.

One of the major attractions of Black Star Canyon is a striking geological formation known as the Red Rocks. The two-toned Red Rocks highlight the ever-changing landscape and the rich history that has carved its way through the canyon. These sedimentary rocks were formed approximately 20-40 millions years ago during the Cenozoic Era, when the climate was changing from humid to dry.

Over millennia, the process of oxidation turned the iron within the rock formations to iron oxide, giving the rocks the notorious red color they’re now known for. The grinding of tectonic plates, the gradual uplift of the Santa Ana Mountains and overall erosion all produced the now jagged and noteworthy appearance of the Red Rocks.

To visit Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park and see the Red Rocks for yourself, sign up for one of the guided programs offered or participate in an upcoming Wilderness Access Day!

To learn more about the Red Rocks and other iconic geological features on the Landmarks, visit LetsGoOutside.org, IRConservancy.org or follow the Landmarks on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Mike Boeck

12/9/2022 05:27:22 pm

These Red Rocks are in Santiago Canyon, not Black Star Canyon. The Black Star Staging area is in Santiago Canyon. Black Star Canyon Road, up to the locked gate, is in Santiago Canyon. I don't know why this is so difficult for whoever writes your text to understand. Repeatedly posting misinformation about Santiago and Black Star canyons should not be something the IRC does imo. History books and even maps properly name these areas.

Mike Boeck

12/9/2022 05:42:37 pm

Black Star Canyon was not named after a gravel mining operation, it was named after the Black Star Coal Mine, which still exists on the Edwards Ranch, which is now owned by Dan Dulak, who lives on the ridgeline just north of Baker Canyon and operates Baker Canyon Green Recycling, also known as Aguinaga. At least four coal mines were in the area: one in Fremont Canyon, one near the north shore of Irvine Lake on an inholding within OC Parks lands, one in Black Star Canyon, and one near the mouth of Silverado Canyon, which gave the name Carbondale to the nearby area during the short period of time that coal mining took place on a ridge just north of Silverado Creek. The lousy quality coal produced was nonetheless used in an Anaheim brewery and also for steam railroad fuel.
There have been gravel mining operations in lower Silverado Canyon and in Santiago Canyon east of Irvine Lake and farther upstream, just south of the Santiago Canyon Road bridge over Santiago Creek near the turnoff to Silverado Canyon.

D. Dow

12/10/2022 10:35:22 am

Thank you for these informative email blasts that encourage us to research more into the history of these beautiful natural and historical features… and feel blessed that we have this opportunity so close to the congestion of life.

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Landmarks Spotlight: Red Rocks

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