Anyone ride Limestone Cyn Road in Irvine? End of Portola road?
 

I googled this road and it looks like it dumps me off Santiago Cyn and Jeffery. Wondering if anyone has done this with a road bike.

Give me more details; are you talking about Hicks Haul Rd that goes up and over Limestone Canyon; its connects Jeffrey to Santiago?

I have ridden it many times. It is, however, a private road and closed to traffic (owned by OC PArks and managed by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy). You cannot ride from Portola on Jeffrey on a bicycle up to the start of Hick's Haul, it's illegal and you will be ticketed (heavy fines). If you are interested in doing Hick's Haul check out irlandmarks.org and search for Hick's Haul time trials. The road is not that long, is a steep climb with many switchbacks and is rutted and sandy.

If you want more info. let me know.

I don't see where it says "hick road" on the map but here's the google map of it
I do hill repeats on Portola during lunch and was wondering where that road goes too.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4281174

The road (top of Jeffrey) actually goes back to a cement plant. The reason bikes are not allowed is that very large, heavy duty trucks are always going up and down that narrow rd. I do believe the trail/road that goes up and over LiImestone is officially called Hick's Haul Rd (from the Santiago side there is a gate sign that calls it that).

Hick's Haul and Limestone Canyon are definitely different roads.

From the map, it looks like Limestone Canyon meets Santiago Canyon at the same place as Hick's Haul, though. A google street-view from the end of Portola makes it look like Limestone is partially paved. Go check it out. If you're not supposed to be on there, it will be obvious. (gates and signs.) Let us know what you find.

Hahaha. Wait! I'm not gonna be a tester!! Hahahaha. I think there is a gate at the toll roads there but I can't be sure. I guess I'll just ride on actual roads. Besides, if that road is not really used, and I breakdown, I don't wanna be rattlesnake, cayote, and lion fodder. :)

Limestone Canyon is a dirt trail. The staging area is Augustine/Hick's Haul off of Santiago (basically when you turn off Santiago the road is Hick's Haul - Limestone takes a left from there). Limestone Canyon goes out to the Sinks (the first mile is gravel not paved) and connects to Cactus and Loma and Limestone Ridge. If you want to hike or mountain bike the trail go to irlandmarks.org. Open access is next Saturday the 19th. . To attend you must sign up on the website.

Hick's Haul is a paved road that connects Jeffrey to Santiago... regardless both roads are private abd patrolled by OC Sheriffs and ranch security...

There's a gate at the end of Portola, but beyond that, two of the three roads after the gate are fenced. The one that's open is the one that leads to the plant.

Yeah, that's all gated private (used to be Irvine Co now transitioning to OC Parks as public) property. Now (as of July 1) owned by OC Parks and managed for ~ the next three years by Irvine Ranch Conservancy. Using your gmap as reference the first 2.5 miles or so are called Agua Chinon and the rest is Limestone Canyon. All of it is dirt or gravelled dirt (might be a few remnant paved sections). I've ridden most of it on open days or docent led tours. Agua Chinon is pretty steep in parts getting up to Loma Ridge. A number of locked gates are on the combined roads.

Pam's got it all correct after the confusion with Hicks.

Jeffrey leads to the cement plant and is a couple of miles west of your end of Portola start.

Actually, there are a number of construction companies/developers up Jeffrey Rd from Portola, not the least of which is All American Asphalt.

True, and some of them took over what used to be my favorite gun range.

Which is why the club formerly known as the Coto Cowboys moved to Raahuage's, where they're now just "The Cowboys."

Hey D!

I used to work for AAA in Corona at their quarry a long time ago.

BTW rumpled, AAA has a gun range on their property in Corona. I used to use it after work on occasion. Neener.