Hiking and riding events on OCTA Preserves return beginning this Saturday

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority will resume hosting a series of hikes and equestrian rides on some of the county’s most pristine landscapes beginning on Saturday, Sept. 18, and continuing through the end of the year.

The free hikes and rides are intended to showcase the open-space lands purchased and preserved by OCTA as part of the Measure M Environmental Mitigation Program. So far, more than 1,300 acres on seven properties have been purchased from willing landowners for preservation to offset the environmental impacts of OC Go freeway projects.

The OCTA preserves are only open to the public during the docent-led hikes and equestrian rides so that the land’s wildlife and important plant life can be protected for generations to come. The hikes and rides were halted as a safety precaution at the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

All participants must be 12 years or older and equestrian riders must bring their own horse. Adults must sign a liability waiver and minors need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The following hikes and rides are scheduled:

September:

• Hike at Pacific Horizon Preserve in Laguna Beach, 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18.
• Equestrian ride at Trabuco Rose Preserve in Trabuco Canyon, 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 26.

November:

• Hike at Wren’s View Preserve in Trabuco Canyon, 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6.
• Equestrian ride at Trabuco Rose Preserve in Trabuco Canyon 10 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 20.

December:

• Equestrian ride at Trabuco Rose Preserve in Trabuco Canyon at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 19.

The rides are subject to cancelation due to bad weather conditions or changes in local health regulations.

For more information and to register, visit www.preservingourlegacy.org.

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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