Most OCCNPS field trips are free and open to all, but read the trip outlines to be sure they fit your needs. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, appropriate trail shoes, a camera, a notepad and lots of enthusiasm. Rain may cancel CNPS trips.
For rain cancellation status or other updates check this page after 8 PM the evening prior to the trip or contact Ron Vanderhoff ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 949 337-5462).
The Native Plant Season Begins - at the UCI Ecological Preserve – Sun., Feb. 26
An easy and perfect first trip of the year. Only a short drive to this urban native plant oasis at the edge of the UC Irvine campus. We will search for early blooming wildflowers and other specialties of these 60 acres, part of the Nature Reserve of Orange County. The trails here are relatively easy, with short walking distances and a minimal amount of up and down.
The Ecological Preserve consists of coastal sage scrub and grassland habitats. Depending upon rainfall, some of the plants we will search for include Goldfields (Lasthenia), Shooting Star (Dodecatheon), Dudleya multicaulis and D. pulverulenta, Wild Hyacinth (Dichelostemma), Popcorn Flower (Plagiobothrys & Cryptantha, Cylindropuntia and maybe an early blooming Catalina Mariposa Lily (Calochortus) and Golden Stars (Bloomeria). In all, 228 plants are recorded from the preserve. Join us for an easy, fun and rewarding warm up to a great year of OCCNPS field trips. Leaders: Ron Vanderhoff, assisted by Nancy Heuler, Mike and Cathie Field. Schedule permitting, Dr. Peter Bowler, Director of the Preserve, may be on hand to assist with the trip.
Meet 8 AM, corner of Los Trancos Dr. and Locke Court. Plenty of free street parking. This is just S. of E. Peltason Dr. on Los Trancos, at the southern edge of the campus. Free and open to all. No restrooms on site. Walking shoes, hat and water suggested.
Physical Difficulty: Easy: about 1-2 miles over rolling hills. Plant Intensity: Moderate. Time: Approx. 2 hours.
2-11 Update: Although low winter rainfall has had its impact, an early morning visit to the Preserve today revealed several wildflowers and other interesting plants beginning to bloom. This trip should be a fun one. Be sure to bring your camera, a notepad and comfortable walking shoes. We will identify the plants and talk about them as we travel through the preserve. Then, we will print the plant list here when we’re all done.
Some of the noticeable plants from this morning include:
Rhus integrifolia- Lemonade berry (bloom), Artemisia californica - California sagebrush, Encelia californica - California bush sunflower (bloom), Gnaphalium bicolor, californicum and canescens – Everlastings (some bloom), Lasthenia gracilis – Goldfields (bloom), Amsinckia menziesii - Common fiddleneck (bloom), Cryptantha & Plagiobothrys – Popcorn flowers (bloom), Cylindropuntia prolifera - Coastal cholla, Cleome (Isomeris) arborea – Bladderpod, Dudleya lanceolata, multicaulis and pulverulenta - Live-forevers, Marah macrocarpus - Wild cucumber (bloom), Chamaesyce albomarginata - Rattlesnake weed (bloom), Acmispon glaber (Lotus scoparius) – Deerweed (bloom), Stachys ajugoides - Rigid hedge-nettle, Mirabilis laevis - Wishbone flower (bloom), Eriogonum fasciculatum - California buckwheat (bloom), Dodecatheon clevelandii - Padre’s shooting star (bloom), Galium aparine - Common bedstraw (bloom), Mimulus aurantiacus - Orange-bush monkeyflower (bloom), Solanum douglasii - Douglas’ nightshade (bloom), Sisyrinchium bellum - Blue-eyed-grass (bloom), Chlorogalum pomeridianum - Wavy-leaved soap plant and Dichelostemma capitatum – Wild Hyacinth (bloom).
Elsinore Peak and Stops Nearby, Southern Santa Ana Mts. – Sun., March 18
Elsinore Peak is the southern most of the Santa Ana Mountain peaks and offers an unusual habitat of grasslands with some coastal sage scrub and chaparral. The soil and geology near the peak is further unique due to its volcanic history and unusual basalt rock deposits. We will explore the area just below the peak for spring wildflowers like Fritillaria biflora, Ranunculus, Goldfields, Alliums, Calochortus, Clarkia, Collinsia, Popcorn Flowers, Monkeyflowers, Lupines, Peonies, Sanicula and more). Time permitting we may stop along the way back to Hwy 74 and enjoy plants like Chorizanthe, Delphinium, Penstemons, Caulanthus, Emmenanthe, Arctostaphylos and others. Leaders: Ron Vanderhoff and Laura Camp. Doug Peltz, geology enthusiast, will also be present to discuss some of the regions interesting geologic features.
Meet 8 AM in San Juan Capistrano. From I-5, take Hwy 74 east 1/8 mile, turn right on Rancho Viejo Rd, then left into park-&-ride lot next to Bravo Burger, 31722 Rancho Viejo Rd.
Free and open to all. Bring trail shoes, hat, sunscreen, water and lunch following, if desired. No restrooms on trip.
Physical Difficulty: Easy. Short to moderate walking distances. Plant Intensity: Moderate to high, especially wildflowers. Time: Approx. 2-3 hours.
Driving Tour to the Tecate Cypress in Fremont Canyon – Sat., April 7 – Tentative-details to follow
Dr. Jutta Burger, Senior Field Ecologist from the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, will once again offer a very special trip through the natural areas managed by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. CNPS members will receive a rare glimpse of the spring bloom on these protected lands – incorporating some of OC’s most important natural resources. This is a driving tour, on conservancy vehicles along uneven dirt roads. The exact route and locations will be determined the morning of the trip. Likely stops may include the Lomas de Santiago (the foothills E of the 241 and W of Santiago Cyn,. Rd.) and the Limestone Canyon area. Wildflowers should be well represented and docents from the Conservancy will be on hand to discuss some of the areas interesting geology, fauna and other features. This is an all-day trip. Restroom availability is uncertain.
Please visit www.occnps.org for date confirmation, lunch instructions and specific registration instructions for this trip, as they become available. This trip is limited attendance and does require advance registration.
Physical Difficulty: Easy, but includes sometimes rough dirt roads. Short to moderate walking distances. Plant Intensity: Moderate to high, especially wildflowers. Time: Approx. 6-7 hours.
Native Plant Lessons on the San Juan Loop Trail, Hwy 74 – Sat., April 14
This is one of the best trips for beginning to intermediate native plant enthusiasts. Not too strenuous, yet lots of variety, including plants of oak woodland, chaparral, grassland and riparian plant communities. We will make an extra effort on this trip to identify and explain the characteristics of the wide variety of plants we will see. About half of the trail is tree-lined and shaded. Because of the variety of habitats, we are likely to see a broad range of plants, birds and other life along the way. We will park across from the famous “Candy Store” and after the main trip those that wish to can go for a further exploration for plants up Bear Canyon Trail. A USFS Adventure Pass is required for parking. Restrooms and water at the trailhead/parking area. Leader: Ron Vanderhoff, assisted by Mike and Cathie Field.
Meet 8 AM in San Juan Capistrano. From I-5, take Hwy 74 east 1/8 mile, turn right on Rancho Viejo Rd, then left into park-&-ride lot next to Bravo Burger, 31722 Rancho Viejo Rd.
Free and open to all. Bring trail shoes, hat, sunscreen, water and lunch if desired.
Physical Difficulty: Moderate. Plan on about 2.5 trail miles and a little up and down. Lug shoes suggested. Plant Intensity: Moderate, with a lot of plant variety. Time: Approx. 2 hours.
A Trip through Beautiful Upper Hot Springs Canyon, Santa Ana Mts. – Sun., April 29
This beautiful area is relatively high and remote in the Santa Ana Mts and about the furthest one can get into the mountains via a paved road. We will park at Blue Jay Campground then take the short hike across Falcon trail and then down Hot Springs Canyon trail a mile or two, then back, botanizing and recording the plants along the way. The scenic canyon usually has lots of water and several cool, refreshing falls. Some rare plants we will search for include Berberis dictyota (aquifolium), Saxifraga californica and Satureja chandleri. We’ll likely see Delphiniums, Cardamine, Viola, Thalictrum and lots of colourful annuals. With some luck Calochortus albus is possible.
Meet 8 AM in San Juan Capistrano. From I-5, take Hwy 74 east 1/8 mile, turn right on Rancho Viejo Rd, then left into park-&-ride lot next to Bravo Burger, 31722 Rancho Viejo Rd.
Free and open to all. Bring trail shoes, hat, sunscreen, water. Optional campground lunch following the trip. A USFS Adventure Pass is required for parking at the trailhead. Restrooms and water at the trailhead. Leader: Ron Vanderhoff.
Physical Difficulty: Moderately strenuous; not long, but several areas require scrambling over rocks and boulders, using hands for balance. Lug shoes suggested and feet might get wet. Yes, there is some scrambling, and poison oak lurks along the trail. About 3 trail miles, possibly more, depending upon the group. Plant Intensity: High. Time: 2 hours or more, plus driving, as desired.
SAMNHA Trip: Driving Tour of the Santa Ana Mountains - Sat., May 12 – more details to follow
Sponsored by NABA (North American Butterfly Association) and SAMNHA (Santa Ana Mountains Natural History Association), Larry Shaw and Lee Shoemaker will once again lead this popular all day excursion into the Santa Ana Mountains on rugged dirt forest roads to explore the local flora, fauna, geology and more. Required reservations will be taken after April 1. The trip is limited to 8 to 12 vehicles. Drivers of sturdy vehicles should state how many passengers they can take. Route to be determined, but previous trips have included such areas as Bedford Peak, Modjeska and Santiago Peaks, Main Divide Road, Eagle Truck Trail, Indian Truck Trail and others. This is an all day trip, with stops along the way to view and discuss native plants, butterflies, geology and other natural features.
Drivers will need a USFS Adventure Pass. Physical Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. Bring sack lunch, water, sunscreen, hat. No restrooms. To reserve, send an email with name, contact information and vehicle availability to Lee Shoemaker at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. Instructions, meetup location, time, etc. will be sent by reply.
Rare Plants of Hobo Canyon, South of Laguna Beach – Sun., May 20
Hobo Canyon is a short coastal canyon just over the north ridge from better known Aliso Canyon, but in many ways it is easier to explore. Like Aliso, it offers some of Orange County’s most remarkable habitats: Diegan Sage Scrub and Coastal Maritime Chaparral. In this small area and unique habitat grow some of Orange County’s rarest plants. Verbesina dissita (Bigleaf Crown Beard) is a beautiful medium sized shrubby yellow daisy that in the U.S. is only found in two or three coastal OC canyons. We’ll also look for Summer Holly (Comarostaphylis), Bush Rue (Cneoridum), Dichondra occidentale, Ceanothus megacarpus and Redberry (Rhamnus crocea). Dudleya stolonifera grows nearby. As we skirt the ridge above the canyon we should see other great flowers, such as Centaurium, Eriastrum and Chorizanthe (Turkish Rugging). Leader: Ron Vanderhoff, assisted by Mike and Cathie Field.
Meet 8 AM at the south end of Moulton Meadows Park, 1098 Balboa Blvd. at the top of Laguna Beach. Free and open to all. Bring trail shoes, hat, sunscreen, water. Restrooms and water at the park.
Physical Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Plant Intensity: Moderate, but with several rare local specialties. Time: Approx. 2-3 hours. Lunch on your own.
The Unique Plants of San Clemente State Park – Sun., June 17
We will explore the unique coastal bluff scrub habitat here, among the few places where this is still found in Orange County. Not a lot a hiking involved, but including great views of the Pacific Ocean. Some of the plants we might see are the rare Lycium brevipes, Lycium californicum, Dudleya edulis, Dudleya lanceolata, Suaeda, Grindellia, several Atriplex, etc. We may also hunt for the elusive and rare Dudleya blochmanii. We’ll park outside of the state park to avoid the fees, but bring lots of quarters to feed the meters (one quarter = 15 minutes). Leader: Ron Vanderhoff, assisted by Mike and Cathie Field.
Meet 9 AM, 200 yards from the W end of Ave Calafia, halfway between the end of Calafia and the State Park entrance road. Free and open to all. Bring trail shoes, hat, sunscreen, water. Restrooms and water nearby.
Physical Difficulty: Easy. Plant Intensity: Moderate. Plants of ocean bluffs, coastal sage scrub. Time: Approx. 2 hours.
Fall Color Trip, Trabuco Canyon to Falls Canyon – Sun., Nov. 18
We will hope for clear fall skies and brisk fall temperature as we celebrate the colors of the season right here in Orange County. The drive up the gravel road of Trabuco Canyon is an adventure in itself, but we won’t go all the way to the end (unless a few brave souls insist). We will stop just slightly inside the National Forest boundary where the Big Leaf Maples and Western Sycamore usually glow at this time of the year. After a brief enjoyment of the canyon and its colors we will hike one mile up little known, but beautiful and shaded Falls Canyon. With luck (fall rains) we will end at a beautiful 30 foot waterfall. Along the way we will explore for plants, seeds, fall fruits, lots more fall color and other signs of the season.
Meet 8 AM at the intersection of Trabuco Canyon Road and the obvious gravel wash of Trabuco Creek (at the unsigned Trabuco Creek Road). This is just 150 yards SE of Rose Canyon Road (signed). Free and open to all. Bring trail shoes, hat, sunscreen, water. No restrooms or water. A USFS Adventure Pass is required for parking at the trailhead. Leader: Ron Vanderhoff, assisted by Mike and Cathie Field.
Physical Difficulty: Moderate to moderately strenuous. Plant Intensity: Moderate. Time: Approx. 2 hours, following the drive up Trabuco Creek Road.
For additional Orange County natural history trips and events visit:
Casper’s Regional Park
www.ocparks.com/caspers
Irvine Ranch Conservancy:
www.irlandmarks.org/Activities
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
www.ocparks.com/lagunacoast
Richard & Donna O’Neill Conservancy
www.theconservancy.org
Sea & Sage Audubon
www.seaandsageaudubon.org
Sierra Club, OC Group
www.angeles.sierraclub.org/orange/TripDates.html
Southern CA Botanists
www.socalbot.org/trips.php
