Enjoy this view of The Sinks from the East Sinks Viewing Deck during Wilderness Access Day: Limestone Canyon on Saturday, 6/4, or click here for a list of guided programs visiting the deck. See a different side of The Sinks during hiking, mountain biking and equestrian programs in the Landmarks.
The new East Sinks Viewing Deck, which boasts stunning vistas of Orange County’s very own “mini Grand Canyon,” is now open for visitors after a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 3 in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. Orange County Supervisor Todd Spitzer and OC Parks staff were joined by hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, and Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff and volunteers in dedicating the new deck, which is the second platform overlooking The Sinks.
The new East Sinks Viewing Deck, which boasts stunning vistas of Orange County’s very own “mini Grand Canyon,” is now open for visitors after a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 3 in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. Orange County Supervisor Todd Spitzer and OC Parks staff were joined by hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, and Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff and volunteers in dedicating the new deck, which is the second platform overlooking The Sinks.
From left, Irvine Ranch Conservancy Executive Director Michael O'Connell, County of Orange Chief Operating Officer Mark Denny, OC Parks Director Stacy Blackwood and Orange County Supervisor Todd Spitzer cut the ribbon to officially open the new East Sinks Viewing Deck on May 3 in Limestone Canyon. The new East Sinks Viewing Deck will provide expansive views of Orange County wilderness while helping visitors avoid damaging the surrounding sensitive habitat areas. The path leading to the deck is a short switchback trail constructed to minimize potential erosion and blend sustainably and seamlessly into the hillside vegetation. Visitors to the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are invited to register for a variety of activities that will take them by the East Sinks Viewing Deck by clicking here. If you’re interested in visiting the new deck soon, consider checking out these upcoming programs listed below. All activities are free and open to the public with required pre-registration, so click the titles to learn more and sign up:
Visitors can also visit the new deck during Wilderness Access Day: Limestone Canyon, on Saturday, 6/4. During Wilderness Access Day, hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians can explore designated trails on their own that will take them to both the new East Sinks Deck and its companion West Sinks Viewing Deck, which was built in 2011. To read more about or register for Wilderness Access Day: Limestone Canyon, click here. Equestrian activities visiting the East Sinks Viewing Deck are also being added.
The East Sinks Viewing Deck is 8 feet wide and 24 feet long on a low raised platform, and was constructed from plantation cedar and recycled plastic rail caps. (Click here to see photos of the deck being built.) The deck can hold up to 20 visitors at one time and is identical in size and materials to the West Sinks Viewing Deck. Both the East and West Sinks Viewing Decks are approximately 4 miles from the Portola Staging Area and Augustine Staging Area, and are just more than 1 mile apart.
Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve includes thick oak woodlands, riparian habitats, coastal sage scrub and rare grasslands, and year-round springs in addition to the iconic geological formation known as The Sinks. The rich diversity and abundance of plants and animals as well as an unusual variety of natural habitats make Limestone Canyon a favorite among hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians and naturalists of all types.
OC Parks' Limestone Canyon in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks is part of nearly 40,000 acres of open space on the historic Irvine Ranch designated a Natural Landmark by both the State of California and the U.S. Department of Interior. This honor recognizes the exceptional value of these lands to California and the entire nation. The public is encouraged to get out into the wilderness and explore the beautiful, natural landscape of Limestone Canyon and enjoy views of The Sinks from the brand new East Viewing Deck. To learn more about or register for the programs listed above, click on the titles; for a list of all upcoming activities in the Landmarks, go to LetsGoOutside.org/activities.
- Intermediate Evening Mountain Bike Ride, Tuesday, 5/10, 6-8 p.m.
- Extreme Cardio Hike: Shoestring, Loma, to the Back Side of The Sinks, Saturday, 5/14, 6:30-9:45 a.m.
- Cardio Hike: Limestone Canyon and The Sinks, Saturday, 5/21, 7-10 a.m.
Visitors can also visit the new deck during Wilderness Access Day: Limestone Canyon, on Saturday, 6/4. During Wilderness Access Day, hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians can explore designated trails on their own that will take them to both the new East Sinks Deck and its companion West Sinks Viewing Deck, which was built in 2011. To read more about or register for Wilderness Access Day: Limestone Canyon, click here. Equestrian activities visiting the East Sinks Viewing Deck are also being added.
The East Sinks Viewing Deck is 8 feet wide and 24 feet long on a low raised platform, and was constructed from plantation cedar and recycled plastic rail caps. (Click here to see photos of the deck being built.) The deck can hold up to 20 visitors at one time and is identical in size and materials to the West Sinks Viewing Deck. Both the East and West Sinks Viewing Decks are approximately 4 miles from the Portola Staging Area and Augustine Staging Area, and are just more than 1 mile apart.
Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve includes thick oak woodlands, riparian habitats, coastal sage scrub and rare grasslands, and year-round springs in addition to the iconic geological formation known as The Sinks. The rich diversity and abundance of plants and animals as well as an unusual variety of natural habitats make Limestone Canyon a favorite among hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians and naturalists of all types.
OC Parks' Limestone Canyon in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks is part of nearly 40,000 acres of open space on the historic Irvine Ranch designated a Natural Landmark by both the State of California and the U.S. Department of Interior. This honor recognizes the exceptional value of these lands to California and the entire nation. The public is encouraged to get out into the wilderness and explore the beautiful, natural landscape of Limestone Canyon and enjoy views of The Sinks from the brand new East Viewing Deck. To learn more about or register for the programs listed above, click on the titles; for a list of all upcoming activities in the Landmarks, go to LetsGoOutside.org/activities.
Conservancy staff construct the East Sinks Viewing Deck in Limestone Canyon. Click here for more photos of the deck in progress, the finished product, and its stunning views of Orange County's "mini Grand Canyon."
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