Come discover and explore Gypsum Canyon Wilderness, one of North Orange County’s newest OC Parks Irvine Ranch Open Spaces. This scenic hike features some hill climbs, descents, and several connecting single-track trails. While the route includes some elevation gain, this is not a cardio hike – we’ll maintain a casual pace of approximately 2 to 2.5 miles per hour, with time to enjoy the scenery along the way.
Our 4.5-mile hike gains approximately 800 feet in elevation and visits two scenic overlooks offering panoramic views of the surrounding canyons and unique prehistoric sedimentary rock formations. Wildflowers are abundant along the trail when in season. These native habitats are home to a diverse array of wildlife, including turkey vultures, red-tailed hawks, bobcats, mule deer, and the federally threatened California gnatcatcher.
As we explore, we’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the remarkable landscapes and native wildlife that make these protected open spaces special.
Please note, advanced registration required, no walk-up registration is permitted.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering. To learn more about the staging areas and activity locations, please visit our Staging Areas Playlist page.
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