Trabuco Outdoors Blog

The Norco Outriders

Trail boss Mike Williams, far left, leads the Norco Outriders up Trabuco Canyon Friday morning.

I had the pleasure of meeting a number of the almost four dozen riders on a trip organized by the Norco Outriders. I was asked by the US Forest Service to photograph them as continued their four day trip from San Juan Capistrano back to Norco. Later that morning there was an incident on the trail causing four of the horses to fall into a ravine, and sadly one of the horses died. Two were rescued by helicopter and one was led back safely onto the trail. Fortunately, none of the riders was seriously injured.

After talking to a number of the riders Thursday evening, I can tell you these guys were well prepared and seasoned cowboys who take their horsemanship seriously. Nonetheless, sometimes things just don't go as planned. But that's the nature of the beast for those of us who love the outdoors. Risk comes with the territory, and is a necessary component of living life with zest.  The chaparral is a rugged and unforgiving land, and I suspect the Norco Outriders wouldn't have it any other way.

 

 

 

6 tips for fall color viewing in the Santa Ana Mountains

1. Late fall is best
Fall colors don't usually appear before November in our canyons.

2. Come during "bad" weather.
After (or during) a rain is the best time. The moisture saturates the leaves and also the color. Trabuco Creek Road is dirt of course, so you will need high clearance vehicle (and possibly 4x4) if it's raining. A sunny day following a storm can also be a great time.

3. Adjust your expectations.
This is not Vermont. On the other hand, if you come in December, it'll probably be 65 degrees outside and not 22 degrees.

4. The canyons are great,but don't forget about the chaparral.
The buckwheat and deerweed turn a golden bronze in the fall. The temperature is far more comfortable than the summer and the bugs and flies are gone. This is a great time to hike the ridgelines.

5. Don't come too late.
A strong Santa Ana wind or early winter storm can vacuum the fall colors from the canyons. The prime season is typically between early-mid November and the end of December.

6. Get out of the car.
Good locations such as Trabuco Creek trail require a short hike (3 mile out & back).

Fall colors on Trabuco Canyon Trail

Trabuco Creek Road between Holy Jim and Trabuco Canyon Trail trailhead.

It looks like fall has finally made it to our canyons. A quick trip to Trabuco Canyon Trail last Sunday turned up what I would describe as an average fall color display for the area. Unless we get strong Santa Ana winds or a very heavy rain, we won't reach peak colors for a few more weeks. Although we don't get the dramatic colors of the Sierra, Rockies or east coast, our fall colors tend to last at least a month or two.

Trabuco Creek Road one mile east of the entrance to the Cleveland National Forest.

 

Trabuco Canyon Trail .5 miles before West Horsethief Trail.

 

For more info: TrabucoOutdoors.com

OC Register November 11 article on fall colors

Prickly pear cactus in the chaparral

Long Canyon Road Wildflowers

Last week biologist "Bug Bob" Allen was nice enough to shoot out an email broadcast to the forest service volunteers about a wildflower bloom along Long Canyon Raod about a mile west of Ortega Highway in the Cleveland National Forest. There was a small brush fire a few months ago which created a bloom of the fire-following wildflowers on both sides of Long Canyon Road, a paved road a few miles north of the candy store. According to Bob, the bloom consists primarily of Delphinium cardinale (scarlet larkspur) and Dicentra chrysantha (golden ear-drops).

I don't know if Bob is currrenty teaching any biology classes at Santa Ana College or Irvine Valley College, but check the college course schedule and sign up for his class if you get a chance to. His classes include a number of field trips into the Santa Ana Mountains, and it's incredibly interesting to learn about the natural history of our area from an experienced naturalist. Bob is also an excellent nature photographer.