Activity Cards

THE FALL HOURS ARE 9am – 3pm

Equestrian Trail Riders, this one is for you! Enjoy self-guided access in magnificent Black Star Canyon. Designated trails will be open for self-guided hiking, biking, and equestrian use from 9am to 3pm. Riders should have trail riding experience and a fit and able horse. Riders must also have the ability to transport their horse to the staging area.

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.