Activity Cards

Join us for a fitness-focused hike on the paved Hicks Haul Road in the Irvine Open Space Preserve. During the spring, summer and fall, hikers will enjoy wonderful sunset views and a panoramic overview of Orange County. This hike travels about 3.5 miles, up to the top of Loma Ridge and back down. The hike is conducted at about 3-3.5 miles per hour, but you may travel a bit faster or slower, at a walk, run, or jog depending on your comfort level. Most participants finish the route in about 1 hour. Because of the paved surface of the road, you may wear regular running or walking shoes. Trail shoes are fine, but not required. Please bring adequate water and a red-tinted flashlight as the return portion of the hike may be after sunset.

IRC Volunteer Stewards are invited to help process seed at this farm workday! Our specific tasks each day are to be determined, but we’ll be working on cleaning, prepping, and bagging seeds for IRC’s restoration work.

Processing the seed that we collect out in the wild or grow out at the farm is a necessary part of the Native Seed Farm’s goal to provide a reliable source of quality seeds for restoration projects. Seed collected in the farm and field often is not pure – with a variety of excess plant material, dirt, and other substances that are not desirable. By processing the seed using a variety of different methods – hand sorting, sifting, crushing, etc. – we are able to ensure that our restoration team has pure seed for their projects!

Activities may include bending, stooping, crouching, squatting, as well as long periods of sitting, standing, reaching, pulling, grabbing, and pushing. Please email the event lead, Mel Letterman, ahead of time if you have any physical limitations to the previously described tasks so they can assign a project that is accessible for you.

Late arrivals and early exits are permitted with prior communication with the event lead.

Ready for a workout? Forget the gym for the day and head outside! Join us for an exhilarating morning fitness hike on the paved Hicks Haul Road in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. This hike allows you to choose between a 3, 6, or 8 mile route, all of which are conducted at the speed of about 3.0 to 3.5 miles per hour. The footing on the asphalt paved road is smoother than dirt roads and single track trails normally found in Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, but is beginning to show its age with cracks, crevices and an occasional dip. Otherwise, the terrain is smooth, so this is a great walk for anyone who wants a “wilderness experience” without getting dirty! The 6 and 8 mile routes experience two fairly steep ascents and descents. The 3 mile route takes you to the top of Loma Ridge and back down. Along the way, you will have sweeping views of much of Orange County and the Santa Ana Mountains. Various animals, like hawks, deer, and lizards are also frequently seen in this area.