Trail-side habitat has been restored and paths upgraded along Bommer Pass Trail.
The Bommer Pass Trail in the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve re-opened March 28. The trail was closed in January so that the Irvine Ranch Conservancy could perform trail maintenance and habitat restoration. The Conservancy, which manages the City’s Open Space Preserve, worked with volunteers to restore habitat and improve trail drainage during the 3-month project.
The Bommer Pass Trail was opened for daily public access in 2011. Visitors use the trail to bypass the Cattle Camp events area, and to connect to the rest of the Bommer Canyon trail system. From Bommer Canyon, trails connect all the way to Crystal Cove State Park beach. During the closure, a path near Cattle Camp led visitors to the connecting trails. Informative signs along this path informed visitors of the work being done to the trail.
The Bommer Pass Trail in the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve re-opened March 28. The trail was closed in January so that the Irvine Ranch Conservancy could perform trail maintenance and habitat restoration. The Conservancy, which manages the City’s Open Space Preserve, worked with volunteers to restore habitat and improve trail drainage during the 3-month project.
The Bommer Pass Trail was opened for daily public access in 2011. Visitors use the trail to bypass the Cattle Camp events area, and to connect to the rest of the Bommer Canyon trail system. From Bommer Canyon, trails connect all the way to Crystal Cove State Park beach. During the closure, a path near Cattle Camp led visitors to the connecting trails. Informative signs along this path informed visitors of the work being done to the trail.
The majority of the restoration work was done to close shortcut trails created between turns. The turns were delineated and smoothed to make the extent of the path clearer to visitors. The trail was designed with frequent turns to allow the trail to have a gentler grade and help divert rain water to surrounding habitat. Shortcut trails that head straight downhill will keep water away from trail-side habitat and create erosion.
On behalf of the City, the Conservancy led several trail repair and planting activities during the trail closure. About 80 large shrubs and more than 700 cactus pads were planted by hand. Volunteers also spread chaff to provide immediate cover of the shortcut trails. Chaff is made up of cut, dry native plants and seed casings. The chaff sometimes contains leftover seed, so it helps habitat growth as well.
For more information on how to volunteer for restoration projects or how to participate in recreational activities in the Irvine Open Space Preserve, visitwww.LetsGoOutside.org/activities.
On behalf of the City, the Conservancy led several trail repair and planting activities during the trail closure. About 80 large shrubs and more than 700 cactus pads were planted by hand. Volunteers also spread chaff to provide immediate cover of the shortcut trails. Chaff is made up of cut, dry native plants and seed casings. The chaff sometimes contains leftover seed, so it helps habitat growth as well.
For more information on how to volunteer for restoration projects or how to participate in recreational activities in the Irvine Open Space Preserve, visitwww.LetsGoOutside.org/activities.
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