Bachelor Reform

I'm looking for info and I'm not finding much. A map, website, intersection, or parking lot, or appreciated.

meganl

Try this website, kind of confusing, but maybe it'll help (includes the address for the Quail Hill trailhead) : https://www.irvineranchwildlands.org/land/quailhill.asp

Rumpled

The mtb in those areas is docent led only
Check the irc website

Bachelor Reform

Do you have experience with that because its not my impression from the website. Or are there public and private areas?

"an easy two-mile natural surface trail at the foot of Quail Hill that is open to the public from dawn to dusk. Irvine's back country is also accessible via docent-led activities from the trailhead."

Rumpled

Yes, I do have some experience. The Quail Hill Trailhead does have a open public trailhead that goes along the bottom of the hills. Not much really. Last time I was there (Oct?) it was closed off for maintenance. Kinda surprising since it's only about two years old.
The QH TH is on Shady Canyon just past the first traffic circle west of the 405 on the right side.

From that trailhead, there is alos a public use path - paved - going west up and over (steep) the hill into Turtle Rock that ends at Turtle Rock community park. Don't leave the path in Shady Canyon or the security guards will harrass you. They had to let the public access that path thru the gated community and they don't like it.

As far as some other rides in the QH; they go thru Irvine Company and Irvine City land managed by the IRC. Those rides and hikes are docent led (free = no $) and you must sign up ahead of time. Follow those IRC links to sign up. (Bommer has some open access days where you don't need a docent with you at all times)

They have other areas as well in the greater Irvine area.

Bachelor Reform

thx vry much everyone. I signed up for one of the tours.

jtfind

There is a 'Wilderness Access Day Limestone Canyon' Sat 1/9. The access is from Santiago Canyon rd. and the ride is more or less on the on the Loma Ridge above Orchard Hills area. I have been on Docent lead rides in this area and its nice, you can ride in limestone canyon and there's a trail that connects to Mustard Road in Whiting Ranch. Looks like plenty of spots left.

Keep looking on the link for Orchard Hills events, its very nice in there. You can relax at Peets (Culver & Portola) after .

https://www.irlandmarks.org/Activities/default.aspx

Pamestique 

Hi one of the IRL docents here (Hi Jim!). There is definitely an open access day this Saturday for Limestone Canyon however the Orchard Hills Trails will be off limit as they are control by the Irvine Open Space. If you go into the new irlandmarks.org website look for MTB rides supported by Irvine Open Space and you should find some Orchard Hills Trail starts listed but frankly why do that when you can ride Limestone? Almost every weekend there is a ride in Limestone. All rides are docent lead however. It is not open for public access. Quail Hill is open - it is a 2 mile loop from the trail head off Sand Canyon. All other trails adjacent Quail Hill are closed to the public but can be access through docent led tours.

For this Saturday - Loma Ridge will be open from Sandtrap to Bolero and up Cactus to wild and wollley Limestone Ridge. I will be manning some of the drops on Limestone Ridge with my first aid kit, not that everyone will need it of course!

If you have any other questions let me know or contact the IRL office for other information.

BTW the signature photo is at the top of Cactus just before limestone Ridge.

jtfind

Thanks for the info. For anyone not familiar with the area, Docent lead rides are a great start because you can learn the trails faster from the Docent then have a better idea of where to ride when the next Open Access Day arrives .