Whiting Ranch Wilderness, Class of 2018

September 23, 2018



One of favorite trails in Orange County that HikingOC.com offers on a weekend is at Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park.

Most often, it could be a group of 20s, 30s, 40s, or more, but sometimes it could be a small group of five. There are some different levels of speed and endurance in a hike, but when Red Rock Canyon includes in a hike, it is mainly for the new group (beginners, those who don't hike often or haven't been hiking before).

It was a full house at the beginning. After ten minutes into the hike and 30 minutes into the flat trail, the group will be separate out in many subgroups by hiking pace and elevation gain.






Each week, each month and each year, we will meet different hikers, but most often only some or few will be remaining in the memories from photos. Thanks to the camera and the phone, many sweet memories stay with us and at the moments writing down, it will share to many others. Hope that the beauty of nature and the exercise in fresh air, hiking will not only be good for an individual who joins the hike for the benefits of body and mind, it will also be inspiring those who have not known about this activity to come out and experience for themselves.

It was Winter time somewhere else, but for Whiting Ranch in Orange County, it was Summer time on the trail...

It was August, early morning or late afternoon to get away with the warm Summer heat...

The past Saturday was the second year in the row without planning, we got exact the same hike on the same day offering to new hikers. With the excited to hike a new trail and to get one progressing to higher levels of hiking, it gave a different inspiration to those who have been hiking for so long. It is a group energy and a begin of a journey to friendships in an activity.

 For more details and photos, check here https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/254693979/

Not too often, but when you had hiking buddies joined, then it was bonding time after the hike was good food to cool down. We got to get in Boiling Point in Irvine, the busy place anytime of a day. It was good for an early hike and came there at the opening time. 

Los Pinos: "The Pines" and Peaks in the Santa Ana Mountains

Have you ever heard of evergreen trees at the coastal mountains in Southern California? It sounds strange, but it is true. Let us take you to the Santa Ana Mountains with peaks at 4000s-5000s feet. Actually there is a peak named after the Pine trees.  "Los Pinos" is Spanish for the pines. There are many pine trees that make up the name for this peak near the northern slope and southern face of the peak just below the summit. 









Photo by Elena

There are numerous ways to hike to Los Pinos Peak. Trabuco Canyon to West Horse Thief trail is the  most popular. Organizer Paul Agnew first introduced Trabuco Canyon trail to our HikingOC group and its members a day after Christmas of 2009. http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/792131/ The hike was for intermediate hikers with 10 miles distance and  moderate pace. We only hiked the lollipop loop and did not summit any peak.







Our hike goes through chaparral and a varied forest of spruce, Coulter pine, maple, coastal live oaks, sycamores, alders, madrone, and California bay laurel. The trail is a great break from city life offering cool green woods filled with local flora and fauna. 

After the first time, many members in the group asked to have more hikes at this lovely area with scenic and challenging trails. A month later, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we went back to the area via a different trailhead and hiked to Los Pinos Peak . We accessed the trailhead via the Ortega Highway 74 to the North Main Divide by the Blue Jay campground.  http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/804448/ 

That fall, November 2010, we hiked there again for fall foliage with sycamores leave changing color. http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/1139937/



It's been over a year and we haven't had a chance to go back to this area. The group is training for hiking Grand Canyon next month, so we need a more challenging hike. We are going to explore Trabuco Peak and Horse Thief Peak besides Los Pinos Peak. It is a 15-20 miles hike with about 3500+ft elevation gain. To join us on this event: http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/56765722/

Even though its elevation is only at 4510ft, Los Pinos Peak does rank fifth in the range with 450 feet of prominence (after Santiago Peak, Trabuco Peak, Sitton Peak and Modjeska Peak). It is prominent above Lake Elsinore and San Juan Capistrano and looms above the Ortega Highway. Los Pinos Peak is the southern most 4'er in the range, so the views from this peak are endless with views way down south, of the Pacific Ocean (Catalina and San Clemente Islands), San Jacinto Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains, San Gabriel Mountians and much more of Southern California. 



Trabuco Peak is at 4607ft elevation, the third most prominent peak in the Santa Ana Mountains. The summit lies on the border of Orange and Riverside Counties. The peak is located at the top of Trabuco Canyon and above Temescal Canyon, giving it a commanding view of both canyons. Trabuco or "musket" is a famous name for everything in the area. A story of a soldier who lost his musket when camped a few miles east of the San Juan Capistrano. More details:  http://www.summitpost.org/trabuco-peak/507606  





Horsethief Peak is an unnamed peak. This is a great peak to get away from the crowds that can often be found on Santiago Peak. The views from this peak are just as good as any other peak in the range. Located between Trabuco Peak and Los Pinos Peak, Horsethief Peak is at an elevation of 4,313ft

This link will give more information of different ways accessing these peaks: http://www.summitpost.org/los-pinos-peak/515463

"The Sinks as a mini-Grand Canyon": Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park

Today, we will take you to one of the parks in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, the land that stretches in a giant green crescent from Weir Canyon near the 91 Freeway, connect with the Cleveland National Forest, to the hillsides of Irvine and extend all the way to Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and Crystal Cove State Park near Laguna Beach.

Limestone

Canyon Wilderness Park, another hidden gem of Orange County wilderness, situated in Silverado, in the Eastern side of Central Orange County

As described on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks'website : "this spectacular and lush canyon includes thick oak woodlands, streamside habitats, year-round springs and an iconic geological formation called "the Sinks,” often compared to a mini-Grand Canyon. A rich diversity of plants and animals as well as an unusual variety of natural habitats make Limestone a true favorite among hikers, mountain bikers and naturalists of all types" https://www.irlandmarks.org/Explore/Limestone-Canyon-Wilderness-Area.aspx

"The activities at the Irvine Natural Landmarks are offered by a variety of organizations and their dedicated volunteers. These activities are guided or supervised programs. Some locations are open daily for self-guided access as well. All programs are FREE unless noted below. Pre-registration is required. Walk-up registrations are not allowed."

There are almost daily scheduled hikes with docent leads at Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park, but once a month there is an Open Access Day that will allow trail lovers to enjoy self-guided access in magnificent Limestone Canyon. Designated trails will be open for self-guided hiking, biking, and equestrian use from 9am to 3pm

For more info and join a group to hike the next open access day March 3rd, 2012 http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/53525802/

Also check out last year event with lots of wildflowers when we visited in May: http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/17281373/

 

City of Irvine, Suicide Hill and Wildlife Sanctuary

Let us take you to Irvine. "Irvine is a city like no other: a master-planned balance of urban living and preserved natural space at  the center of Orange County in coastal Southern California". Whether you travel alone in 2 hours or a day, with family, with a group or with friends, you will find "Irvine is not only a great place to vacation, it's an exceptional destination for meetings and events, a multicultural home to some 100 company HQs"  http://www.cityofirvine.org/

One of the most interest points in Irvine: the Great Park Balloon, it is the Orange County Great Park’s first major attraction. With the ability to hold up to 25 to 30 passengers, and soar up to 400 feet above the surrounding landscape, it also serves as a public observation deck for the Great Park’s development http://www.ocgp.org/

An attraction for trails lovers: Suicide Hill, a name sounds tragic or challenging to hikers. Located right in a middle of the city next to Concordia University, Irvine and the University of California, Irvine, Turtle Rock is a neighborhood in the south part of Irvine, Orange County. Suicide Hill is one of the hills in the Turtle Rock. This is a great hiking area that offers great views of the surrounding hills and Orange County.  Most hikers will do a loop of 4 miles in an hour or 6 miles in couple hours with a group of several trails and short steep hills. However the nature of the trails allows any hiker to tailor their hike to whatever length you like with your friends. You can make your hike as easy or as strenuous as you would like. Parking is also free.

Find more information here or join a group to hike: http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/16481235/

http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/47719662/

For family with kids, wildlife watchers or photos taking lovers, the Irvine Ranch Water District San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary is another place to visit. It is a great place for group picnic and watching sunset. This land comprises more than 300 acres of restored coastal freshwater wetlands. Located in the middle of the bustling city of Irvine, twelve miles of trails serve as an oasis for walkers, joggers, and birdwatchers as well as a living laboratory for students, teachers, and the public. To read more:  http://seaandsageaudubon.org/SJWS/sjws.htm 

Join a group and more information: http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/22207101/

http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/events/22207821/

As mentioned from the city of Irvine website:  "Thirty years ago, the City of Irvine was still in its infancy. Today, Irvine has grown into what many describe as a "total destination," a community boasting state-of-the-art transportation programs and systems, an enterprising business environment, stellar educational institutions and a team-like lifestyle. Irvine is one of the most family-friendly destinations in the country, ranked "America's Safest Big City" by the FBI seven years running and less than half an hour from some of California's best-loved attractions, including Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Disneyland Park^® and Knott's Berry Farm"