Activity Cards

Park staff is requesting assistance from Park Ranger Reserves to help enforce “Do not feed the squirrel” regulations at Mile Square Park. Due to the feeding of park wildlife by the public, the squirrel population at the park has become extremely brazen. Ranger Reserves are needed to conduct vehicle and foot patrols to educate and advise the public about not feeding the wildlife.

Join us in the backcountry wilderness for a journey filled with beautiful sights and photographic and artistic sketching opportunities. Our journey begins in the afternoon, deep in a secluded canyon, where time is measured in centuries, even millennia, in the sandstone cliffs of this ancient place called Limestone Canyon.

You will board 4-wheel drive vehicles for a 13-mile tour of the canyon and hills surrounding it. We will stop frequently for 15-30 minutes or so to admire the views, take photos, sketch landscapes, and answer questions. Stops will include short walks with views of The Sinks, a trip up Cactus Spur, and an optional, singletrack, half-mile hike into Box Springs. Box Springs provides the visitor a true backcountry experience.

From the Augustine Staging Area, we proceed up Hicks Haul Road, an old ranch road that was paved to provide access to Irvine Lake and the mines in Black Star Canyon. At the UCI research center, we head off-road up a narrow, windy, and sometimes bumpy trail to Loma Ridge and beyond. Bring your camera equipment, sketchbook, or just enjoy the ride.

Please review the Difficulty Ratings on the brown banner above before registering. Understanding the 1-through-5 ratings system will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-2 activity on the land.