RR: Limestone Full Moon Ride

[KeepsWhatHappens]

We had a great ride last night in Limestone Park which is managed by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. We had a group of 14 riders including five great docents. Even though I've ridden here four times before, I signed up for this ride because I wanted to witness the damage of the fires last fall that burnt this entire park.

When we set off an 6pm it was still 90 degrees as we climbed up to Loma Ridge. Honestly I had to look hard to see evidence of the fire. This area has already recovered remarkably well. Since alot of this area was already grassland and not coastal scrub before the fire, the grasses (and mustard) recovered quickly. I am very happy to announce perhaps 75% of the Oak trees are untouched and the rest are just damaged to some degree. I did not see any completely destroyed trees such as in Whiting.

After we finished the singletrack along Santiago Canyon Road nine of us opted for extra credit and climbed up to Dripping Spring. Kymberly (our lead docent) told us that area had completely burned to nothing. But already the ferns have returned and this area has returned to it's lush grotto environment. Amazing!

Along the ride we saw a red-shouldered hawk, one deer, a few frogs, some butterflies, and a Jerusalem beetle. In the end we didn't see the moon until we were back and packing up to leave since it rose at 8:30pm. Oh well, still a great ride.

Our most exciting wildlife spotting came on our way home. Chipster and I were heading down Blackstar Road to visit a friend when a huge mountain lion darted across the road in front of us, giving us a great view. He stopped - and we stopped and checked each other out for 10 seconds, then he took off. Very cool!

Ok now onto the photos:


Riders forming up.


We take off into the heat.


The long climb is underway.


Passing through a gate. Noah, in the foreground sporting a 19.5 race bike. Cheater!


Noah and Doug aka dwhouse climbing. Notice some evidence of the fire.


Joe heading down a fun descent along Loma Ridge. Foothill Ranch in the distance.


Joe climbing.


Chipster climbing past some obviously burnt flora.


Nice pano view before we head down some singletrack.


Chip checking out a spring along the way.


Rider heading off into the sunset.


Kymberly showed us some native American grinding holes.


Detail of the grinding holes.


Doug approaches The Sinks aka the Grand Canyon of Orange County.


The group checking out The Sinks and where it drains into Agua Chinon below.


Looking south from The Sinks.


Doug powering up the last climb.


Riders coming up the ridge at sunset.


Nice view.


Doug checks out the Main Divide.


The group checking out damage to Harding and STT.


Keith aka kparsons (one of our docents) coming down a really fun singletrack at sunset.


The singletrack continued on this ridge for miles.


Sweetness!


Some riders walked this sketchy section.


Chipster riding a sketchy section.


I spotted this Jerusalem beetle (aka Potato bug) just after sunset.


...to be continued...

[KeepsWhatHappens]

After dark we climbed a 1/2 hour up to Dripping Spring. Here the group starts a short walk to the springs.


Checking out the area.


Poison Oak territory!


The closer we got to the springs the more lush the area became.


Checking out the springs/grotto. The canyon ends at a 100' high headwall of stone with water running down it.
Really a rare, beautiful sight in this environment.


Kymberly points out a small frog.


There he is!


This photo does not do justice to the scale of the grotto.


Back at the bikes with the final glow of sunset.

Thanks to our docents Kymberly, Keith, Carrie, Larry and Mike for a great ride.

If anyone is interested in doing this ride you can check out the Irvine Ranch Conservancy activities page.

[Kid A]

good stuff.

I used to join a bunch of the docent led ride "back there" and limestone is a fun one. Kymberly is cool and can certainly hold her own riding and dealing with any of the BS the guys throw at her.

Hope to make a few in the future before it gets too hot back there

[kevinator]

Awesome pics and RR!

[dfioc]

Great RR and photos. Thanks!

[Dusty]

Awesome photos, I always thought about doing this trail as I drove by. Excellent report, maybe next time I will go.

[Elisheva]

John, glad you came out for an IRC ride and hoped you enjoyed the sinks and the fern grotto area. Many more fun rides to sign up for.

I'll be out there for an Intermediate ride Saturday 6pm.