Bommer Canyon

[dirtvert]

The "Wilderness Access Day" is this Sat./15th. I was hiking there last weekend; it was beautiful with lots of wildflowers. I don't know what the mtb potential is there, but I did see a nice looking s/t (Ridge Route?) heading south towards Laguna Coast. Also, according to a docent who was there, on Saturday you can enter from Shady Canyon Rd.or Ridge Park Rd.-going under the 73-so you could make an make an interesting loop connecting Laguna Coast/El Moro.

EDIT: You'll need to enter from Shady Canyon. Read JamR's comments...

Here's the link to sign-up: www.irvineranchlandreserve.org

I'll be out of town, but if you go let us know what it's like...

[dubjay]

I've been there a few times. Definitely some fun singletrack there - Ridge Route, Rabbit Run and Hogback Ridge come to mind.

The terrain is similar to what you'd find in LWCP or El Moro - which is understandable since they're all connected. You can definitely make a nice long ride by connecting all 3 parks.

[DISCO]

Damn it, share re-scheduled for the Aliso Work Saturday. Very sweet, the docents will show you what is up back here. I have had a hand is shaping this one and it is truly a gem. Bommer is just a way up, the ridge on the right is easier to climb than the suffering fireroad. Both bring you up to the toll-road where you can hop the fence into El-Moro or take a left for a tour of LCWP all the way to Laguna canyon or loop back around to Quail hill. There are single tracks in between but you may have to look closely......

[dirtvert]

so...does that mean when bommer is open, so is shady canyon?

[Kpeony]

Originally Posted by dirtvert

so...does that mean when bommer is open, so is shady canyon?

I am not aware of any singletrack in Shady Canyon. Its primarily a private gated housing community. There is access for your road bike, and a dirt path that parallels the main road from gate to gate, but no singletrack, etc. that I am aware of. Outside the Sand Canyon Gate is a park that has a trail. Not sure where it leads.

[JamR]

Originally Posted by dirtvert

The "Wilderness Access Day" is this Sat./15th. I was hiking there last weekend; it was beautiful with lots of wildflowers. I don't know what the mtb potential is there, but I did see a nice looking s/t (Ridge Route?) heading south towards Laguna Coast. Also, according to a docent who was there, on Saturday you can enter from Bonita Canyon or Ridge Park Rd.-going under the 73-so you could make an make an interesting loop connecting Laguna Coast/El Moro.

Here's the link to sign-up: www.irvineranchlandreserve.org

I'll be out of town, but if you go let us know what it's like...

Slight correction.

You cannot access the Wilderness Access day from Ridgepark under the 73.

Participants need to enter and leave through Bommer Canyon Road off of Shady Canyon Road. Once there, they simply sign in and receive a Day Use Permit for the day.

On the way out, they check out and turn in the Day Use Permit.

Once you have your permit in hand, you have access to all the open trails shown on the map.

I just did not want any misconception that you can ride in from any entrance. People who are not displaying the Day Use Permit will inevitably be stopped by the Irvine P.D. Open Space Patrol, IRC staff, or Docents.

Have fun out there..........

There are currently four really nice single-tracks opened, with the last one in the final stages of construction which hopefully be opened by the April Wilderness Access Day.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by dirtvert

so...does that mean when bommer is open, so is shady canyon?

Both Bommer Canyon, Shady Canyon, and Quail Hill are all open on the Wilderness Access day for those who check in at Bommer Canyon and get their Day Use Permit.

Currently four nice single-tracks. One in Bommer Canyon and Three in Shady Canyon.

A fourth is in the final construction process and hopefully will be opened by the April Access Day.

Maps are available at the check in counter at Bommer Canyon.

Have Fun!

[dirtvert]

thanks, jamr- i was hoping you could clear that up. the same docent told me that the trail under the 73 to ridge park would be (re?)opened at some point. have you heard anything about that?

[JamR]

Originally Posted by DISCO

Damn it, share re-scheduled for the Aliso Work Saturday. Very sweet, the docents will show you what is up back here. I have had a hand is shaping this one and it is truly a gem. Bommer is just a way up, the ridge on the right is easier to climb than the suffering fireroad. Both bring you up to the toll-road where you can hop the fence into El-Moro or take a left for a tour of LCWP all the way to Laguna canyon or loop back around to Quail hill. There are single tracks in between but you may have to look closely......

Correction......

The connection up the West Fork Trail is not opened on the access day, and hopping fences is the quickest way to negatively impact access days for everyone.

A closed gate or fence is a clear message that you are not supposed to be entering or leaving through that gate.

At some point that gate might be opened on the access days but would not happen until logistics of having a check in table and day use passes available up there are worked out.

Please don't jump fences in the area or use any of the areas that are signed as habitat restoration areas.

Self-Guided access is still in its infancy in the Bommer Canyon and Shady Canyon areas, and could be jeopardized if too many people start jumping fences and circumventing the open trails.

Just check in at Bommer Canyon through Bommer Canyon Road, get your Day Use Permit, and enjoy the area.

It would be a shame to see access go backwards after so much hard work has taken place to open up self-guided access and add five single-track trails to the system.

Everyone is looking for increased access opportunities in the area which is what is taking place; but it takes the cooperation of the public to assure that things keep moving forward, not backwards.

I don't want to always be the one who has to point these issues out..........but please don't jump any fences in any areas.........it's not a practice will have any positive effect.

Have fun out there, but just come in through Bommer Canyon like hundreds of other people do on the access days.

Thanks!

[JamR]

Originally Posted by dirtvert

thanks, jamr- i was hoping you could clear that up. the same docent told me that the trail under the 73 to ridge park would be (re?)opened at some point. have you heard anything about that?

Eventually......once a lot of planning and some approved construction takes place.......but it is still in the future.

Great things are happening, but people just need to be patient.

Less than two years ago, there was no self-guided biking in the area, and there were no legal single-tracks.

Now self-guided biking has been added and four single-tracks have been opened, with one more to come shortly.

Things are definitely moving forward, but they also take some time due to all the agency approvals required for these types of areas.

It's coming.......and it will be nice once it happens!

[dirtvert]

bump