From the Quail Hill parking area in Irvine I set out to enjoy the Bommer Canyon Open Access Day. Registration was not required, and it was free to park at the trailhead here, unlike some of the other nearby trailheads.
What is better than an activity like hiking, which is free to enjoy, and takes you to a beautiful far off place. Not only is it free, I just feel more free when I get outside, and breathe fresh air.
On Open Access Days the trails marked closed are open to the public, such as Rabbit Run, and Cattle Crest, along with several others. This area of Shady Canyon open space is included for the Bommer Canyon Open Access Day. So you can park at any of the trailheads in the area such as Quail Hill, Turtle Rock, or along Highway 133.
I was here to hike the trails less traveled. I love variety in my hikes, here in Orange County. I love going off the beaten path, and exploring.I have hiked countless times in Laguna Canyon, Crystal Cove, and Turtle Rock, but not on these specific single tracks. So I headed up Quail Trail, which is open year round, generally from dusk until dawn.
The trail starts off very steep, and this is probably the biggest butt kicker of a climb, for the entire hike. After heading up this first section, you will have some stellar views of the Santa Ana Mountains, and the LA Mountains in the distance. On this particular day the mountains were dusted in snow, and places like Mount Baldy were filled with mountaineers ascending the bowl.
It was winter, which is the best season for hiking in Orange County. It’s the perfect time to be right where I was, surrounded by the green rolling hills of Shady Canyon Open Space.
The trail takes you up and down through the foothills a bit, before crossing a little bridge, near some homes. The wildflowers were in bloom, and people were climbing into the hills to take photos.
After about 2 miles, I was at the trailhead for Cattle Crest, and headed first up the trail, a bit higher. The trail was very rocky, and a single track.
Eventually you walk along a rocky ridge filled with wildflowers.
I descended down into Shady Canyon, being in awe of some beautiful rocky cliffs, high above. There is a golf course off to the right, which would soon disappear from view, so you feel like you’re in nature again. The trail is very steep, and a bit slippery in spots. There are loose rocks, I had to take my time. Trekking poles would have been handy here.
I passed over one small footbridge and another larger bridge over a creek, as I walked along the canyon.
I came to the juncture in the trail, where you can hike further up the canyon to the right, or stay to the left for Rabbit Run. I had so far hiked about 3.5 miles, and was about halfway through my hike for this particular day.
I was only planning on hiking 7 miles, so I opted for Rabbit Run. Another factor was that Open Access Trails are only open until 2pm. My logic is that they need to clear the trails, to make sure everyone made it safely out. So they made the time early for safety reasons. It makes sense, and I was trying to make it off Rabbit Run by that time.
Rabbit Run started off through a meadow, with a soft sandy trail, which brought to mind all the snakes that probably find comfort in this kind of terrain. I did not want to give it too much thought, but as always, I kept my eyes on the trail.
Eventually the trail began to climb up through some large boulders, and I was practically scrambling.
It felt like I was in Joshua Tree, not Laguna Canyon. It’s these surprises like this that intrigue me, and why I love exploring. I remember the first time I saw the Red Rocks in Whiting Ranch.
I happened on a set of footprints, or hoof prints in the mud. There is plenty of wildlife, and in this case deer, that call these canyons home.
You just never know what lies around the bend, when your hiking in a place you have never been. I have no trouble with scrambling, but I could see how this particular part of Rabbit Run might be too strenuous for some hikers. Trekking poles would definitely be helpful for these trails.
Rabbit Run climbed steeply up, and eventually I was at what I would find was a false summit. The trail descended again, before climbing once more on back to the ridgelines and Quail Trail.
I have hiked many times up Sycamore and Serrano Trails from the Nix Center, to this ridgeline. In fact, it is one of the first wilderness hikes I ever did, when I first started hiking in Orange County.
I have spent so much time hiking in this canyon, both with my daughter, when she was little, with friends, and solo. December to March is the best time to hike through the hills of Orange County. I plan to head back here again soon. I hope this was helpful in planning your hike.
More on Open Access Days
Which trails Open Access Days actually include, as open, or not, has been a point of confusion for me in the past. The Irvine Company owns most of the land in Orange County. They put some of it into conservation for tax purposes, so the trails are not open to the public except for special events like this, and guided hikes.
Now I do appreciate that we can access it at all, since its private land. But there is so much of it that’s inaccessible, that most hikers will constantly wonder, what’s over there, on that trail behind that gate. Well wonder no more with Open Access Day.
Seeking Solitude
My reasoning is that they don’t want continuous access, since it would cost them more money to maintain and patrol, since the land is in their hands. It saddens me that they don’t have open access days more often, since once or twice a month would be much better for the hiking community to enjoy the trails. Another thing is that most hikers enjoy hiking for solitude, not to be led around by a docent.
Docent Led Hikes?
In a nutshell, most of the trails are accessible only on hikes led by docents. They are retired folk, the type of people with time on their hands. Volunteers always seem to be retired, or the types who simply enjoy being in charge, even if they are not being paid to do so. They know stuff, and maybe it’s stuff you want to know, but maybe it’s not. They can come off as trail nazis (nod to Seinfeld).
Docent Blunders
These docents are inflexible. One time, a person in our group, had not registered properly. They cheerfully turned us away, after we declined to leave our friend behind. Another time, they had locked the gate to the parking area very early leaving several people standing there, wondering if they were in the right place. That was waste of time. Well you live and you learn, to not participate in these organized hikes, and just take a hike, which is much less stressful.
Group Hike Anxiety
Though it’s interesting to learn about history and natural history of an area, being led around in a large group gives most hikers, who enjoy seclusion, more anxiety than anything else. Enough said on that. There are enough introvert solo hikers out there to back me up on this.
A Feeling of Being Rushed
When they do open the trails of Limestone, Baker, or Fremont, it’s usually for guided hikes. On top of that they usually state something to the tune of, anyone wanting to hike the entire thing, must do so at a faster pace. It’s hard to have those quiet moments in nature while being herded around or rushed around.
A Better Way
So I don’t really enjoy the process of accessing these lands, since it can get complicated. Open Access Day allows hikers to appreciate the beauty without a bunch of unnecessary socializing. So for myself at least, I much prefer Open Access Day. More of those please.
Whatever you do, don’t be hindered by the trail nazis (remember Seinfeld). Just go on Open Access Day.
A Fun Fact
I did not know for a very long time that the Black Star Open Access day also includes Baker Canyon, another hike closed to the public.
See you at the next Open Access Day!
About me
I’m Serafina! I’m a writer and California girl who loves to go exploring.
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Disclaimer: The work on this blog is my opinion and my opinion alone and I am not responsible for the outcome if someone were to apply these thoughts to their own life. All text and photography copyright 2023 by Serafina, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers’ usage of the ideas and opinions presented in the blog, are at their own risk. Be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, surfing, walking, cooking, and other activities, which may take place indoors or outdoors. By reading this, you agree not to hold the author or publisher of the content on this web site responsible for any injuries or inconveniences that may result from reading the blog, or partaking in any activity mentioned in the blog. Read the blog, and use its ideas, if you so desire, at your own risk.
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