There are morning hikes almost every day next week designed to connect hikers and runners to the land and trails of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmark at a time of day ideal for being active outdoors.
You’ve probably heard the saying, “the early bird catches the worm.” What this old English proverb has come to mean is that those who take advantage of active and productive mornings are going to find success in life. With this in mind, you might want to consider registering for one of several upcoming morning activities next week and find your proverbial “worm.”
You’ve probably heard the saying, “the early bird catches the worm.” What this old English proverb has come to mean is that those who take advantage of active and productive mornings are going to find success in life. With this in mind, you might want to consider registering for one of several upcoming morning activities next week and find your proverbial “worm.”
Mornings in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are a great time to be out on the land. It’s when the air is crisp and clear and temperatures are pleasant for being active outdoors. With the sun not yet directly overhead, it’s an ideal time of day to find stunning and dramatically lit views of the canyons, peaks and meandering trails of the Landmarks, as well as sprawling vistas beyond. It’s a great time to photograph, or just take in, the impressive landscapes and active wildlife that calls the open space of the Landmarks home, while still having plenty time for whatever else your day may bring.
There are morning activities next week designed to fit into any busy schedule. If you work a typical “9 to 5” schedule, consider registering for one of four hikes scheduled for Saturday morning at various locations around the Landmarks. Perhaps you work evenings or weekends, or don’t have to be into the office in the early morning. If that’s the case, why not give one of the weekday morning hikes a try? They are scheduled next week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, and offer a great way to start out any weekday.
On Tuesday morning, join Irvine Ranch Conservancy volunteers for the weekly Tuesday Morning Fitness Hike on Paved Hicks Haul Road. This popular activity offers participants the chance to choose between 3, 6 or 8-mile routes as they walk along paved Hicks Haul Road in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. It’s a great opportunity to get a “wilderness experience” while remaining surefooted on a paved surface.
Wednesday morning’s moderately-paced Mid-Week Hike in Quail Hill offers hikers a chance to get a great workout while walking off the stresses of the week in the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve. Participants will make their way along several single-track trails with some steep climbs and descents and about 2,700 feet of accumulated elevation gain during this 10 to 12-mile excursion.
On the following morning of Thursday, Jan. 22, start your day off with a Morning Nature Hike in Bommer Canyon, in the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve. Participants will hike 7 miles on a loop through beautiful Bommer Canyon, once part of the historic Irvine cattle ranch, where corrals and ranch equipment still stand today. Hikers will be rewarded with views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island as well as a commanding view that overlooks much of the City of Irvine.
On Saturday Jan. 24, there are several morning hikes at various locations around the Landmarks. Those looking for a more strenuous workout might consider registering for the Cardio Hike in Quail Hill, where participants will hike at a fast pace, about 4 miles per hour, for about 12 miles along trails in Quail Hill and Shady Canyon in the Irvine Open Space Preserve. Also for the more fitness-minded participants, Saturday’s Trail Run in Agua Chinon offers a strenuous, moderately-paced trail run along 13 miles of trails in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. Hikers will get a chance to view the striking limestone formation known as “The Sinks,” before continuing to Limestone Ridge with about 2,100 feet of accumulated elevation gain.
Also on Saturday, for those who wish to enjoy their morning at a less hurried pace, visit Crystal Cove State Park for a 3-Mile Hike into Moro Canyon. Learn about the plants and animals that call Crystal Cove State Park home while enjoying this family-friendly interpretive morning hike.
Proverbs aside, look for actual early birds trying to catch worms and other prey during the Birding Hike in Limestone Canyon on Saturday morning. Observe the diversity of bird species in Limestone Canyon while on this 2-mile interpretive hike. Keep an eye out for red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, white-tailed kites, scrub jays, acorn woodpeckers and many others.
Whatever your schedule and fitness level, there is a morning hike next week that is right for you. Most of the docent-led programs are free and require pre-registration for all participants (children must attend with their parent or guardian). To register and to find more information about the above activities, and others, please visit www.LetsGoOutside.org/activities.
There are morning activities next week designed to fit into any busy schedule. If you work a typical “9 to 5” schedule, consider registering for one of four hikes scheduled for Saturday morning at various locations around the Landmarks. Perhaps you work evenings or weekends, or don’t have to be into the office in the early morning. If that’s the case, why not give one of the weekday morning hikes a try? They are scheduled next week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, and offer a great way to start out any weekday.
On Tuesday morning, join Irvine Ranch Conservancy volunteers for the weekly Tuesday Morning Fitness Hike on Paved Hicks Haul Road. This popular activity offers participants the chance to choose between 3, 6 or 8-mile routes as they walk along paved Hicks Haul Road in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. It’s a great opportunity to get a “wilderness experience” while remaining surefooted on a paved surface.
Wednesday morning’s moderately-paced Mid-Week Hike in Quail Hill offers hikers a chance to get a great workout while walking off the stresses of the week in the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve. Participants will make their way along several single-track trails with some steep climbs and descents and about 2,700 feet of accumulated elevation gain during this 10 to 12-mile excursion.
On the following morning of Thursday, Jan. 22, start your day off with a Morning Nature Hike in Bommer Canyon, in the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve. Participants will hike 7 miles on a loop through beautiful Bommer Canyon, once part of the historic Irvine cattle ranch, where corrals and ranch equipment still stand today. Hikers will be rewarded with views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island as well as a commanding view that overlooks much of the City of Irvine.
On Saturday Jan. 24, there are several morning hikes at various locations around the Landmarks. Those looking for a more strenuous workout might consider registering for the Cardio Hike in Quail Hill, where participants will hike at a fast pace, about 4 miles per hour, for about 12 miles along trails in Quail Hill and Shady Canyon in the Irvine Open Space Preserve. Also for the more fitness-minded participants, Saturday’s Trail Run in Agua Chinon offers a strenuous, moderately-paced trail run along 13 miles of trails in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. Hikers will get a chance to view the striking limestone formation known as “The Sinks,” before continuing to Limestone Ridge with about 2,100 feet of accumulated elevation gain.
Also on Saturday, for those who wish to enjoy their morning at a less hurried pace, visit Crystal Cove State Park for a 3-Mile Hike into Moro Canyon. Learn about the plants and animals that call Crystal Cove State Park home while enjoying this family-friendly interpretive morning hike.
Proverbs aside, look for actual early birds trying to catch worms and other prey during the Birding Hike in Limestone Canyon on Saturday morning. Observe the diversity of bird species in Limestone Canyon while on this 2-mile interpretive hike. Keep an eye out for red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, white-tailed kites, scrub jays, acorn woodpeckers and many others.
Whatever your schedule and fitness level, there is a morning hike next week that is right for you. Most of the docent-led programs are free and require pre-registration for all participants (children must attend with their parent or guardian). To register and to find more information about the above activities, and others, please visit www.LetsGoOutside.org/activities.
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