Activity Cards

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.

Join us every Monday night 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.

The primary goal of the Butterfly Enhancement Project is to stabilize or improve populations of 10 butterfly species that are in decline. These 10 butterfly species in decline were identified using data collected from the Limestone Butterfly Count. A shortage of floral resources (nectar and larval host plants) may be a factor in this decline. In order to address this problem, 11 habitat islands were created within Limestone Canyon to become hotspots of floral and invertebrate diversity and to increase overall butterfly species richness and abundance.

Volunteers will survey the 11 enhancement plots along with 10 control plots using the survey123 app to record all plants and butterfly species that occur in each plot. Volunteers may use their own phones or check out a phone from IRC to do the survey. New plants species are often added to the plant list on survey, and updates to the survey in survey123 should be downloaded before the event begins. A pdf map of the plots can be downloaded onto the Avenza Maps app – it embedded location data and GPS to find your position in relation to the plots in real time.

Due to the plots being off trail, wearing snake chaps is recommended and will be provided by IRC staff.