Look Out for New Difficulty Ratings on LetsGoOutside.org!

After listening to feedback from our volunteer leads and activity participants, Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC) has updated the Hiking and Fitness Difficulty Ratings posted within activities and programs on LetsGoOutside.org. These are listed in an activity so that potential participants can make the right choice when it comes to their outdoor adventure within the Landmarks.

IRC Interpretive Specialists and Naturalists have developed a simple numeric Difficulty Rating System that applies to programs led by IRC-Certified Volunteers. The ratings are based on average fitness level, combined with route characteristics such as elevation, shade, activity pace and number of stops. The intention behind the update was to better reflect the spectrum of difficulty levels across IRC activities, taking into account new trails, new leads and the evolving nature of the programs offered. 

Please see the full descriptions of the Difficulty Rating System listed online with a brief overview and examples from each below.

Level 1

• Most abilities accommodated
• Little to no distance covered and little to no elevation gain experienced
• 8/12/24- Perseids Meteor Shower: Stargazing in Limestone 
• 8/22/24- Moving with Nature in Mind – Yoga at the Farm 

Level 2

• Distances around 2 miles
• Minimal elevation gain and low grades done at a slow pace 
• 8/18/24- Beginner Fitness Hike in Weir Canyon 
• 8/25/24- Beginner Hike in Bommer Meadow

Level 3

• Distances around 4 miles 
• Elevation gain up to 1,000 feet overall done at a slow to moderate walking pace 
• 8/20/24- Buck Gully Upper Loop Evening Hike 
• 8/24/24- Intro to Cardio Hike: Weir Canyon Rifle Range Loop 

Level 4

• Distances around 8 miles
• Significant elevation gain up to 2,000 feet or slightly more including few steep climbs
• 8/15/24- Thursday Morning Trek: Agua Chinon and The Sinks
• 8/25/24- Early Morning Hike: Fremont Canyon

Level 5

• Distances over 10 miles
• Very high levels of elevation gain, above 2,000 feet done at a quick pace
• 8/11/24- Advanced Distance Hike: Bommer Canyon 
• 8/13/24- Early Morning Hike to The Sinks: Limestone Canyon 

Please note the difficulty ratings are rough guidelines, and visitors should consider their own capabilities, previous experience and current fitness level when planning and preparing for their outdoor activities.

The feedback pointed to a wide range within the ratings and significant gaps, so the new description points will more accurately reflect the activity. By aligning the difficulty ratings more closely with the actual difficulty of the activities, we hope to provide participants with an accurate and helpful tool for choosing outdoor adventures within the Landmarks.