Recently, IRC’s Planning and Infrastructure team and OC Parks maintenance staff collaborated to help restore the Shoestring Trail, which will be open ahead of this Saturday's Limestone Canyon Wilderness Access Day. The trail created in 2010, makes a loop between Shoestring Road, West Loma Ridge, Hicks Haul Road, and the Augustine Staging Area, and is considered difficult due to the steep nature of the terrain. During the Bond Fire, the Shoestring Trail bridge was burned and needed replacing to make the trail safe once again. The IRC team took the opportunity to not only replace the bridge crossing, but to make other enhancements as well.
Along the trail, visitors may notice soil berm structures in an area that was recently mowed. This area is part of a spadefoot toad habitat restoration and enhancement project, where IRC, The Nature Conservancy and OC Parks will help provide standing water for Western Spadefoot Toads during the rainy season. Western Spadefoot Toads need shallow pools of standing water that last for at least 35 days in order to successfully breed. We ask that you remain on the designated trail to help ensure the success of these ponds.
Nature lovers can kick-off the month of October during Wilderness Access Day: Limestone Canyon tomorrow from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm and experience the newly enhanced Shoestring Trail. Registration is required for this event. Those interested in attending can sign-up at this link.
Limestone Canyon is only accessible through guided programs and Wilderness Access Days due to the sensitive habitat found in the area. For more information about the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and free activities in Limestone Canyon, visit LetsGoOutside.org or follow the Landmarks on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.