and foothill areas. Counting them is difficult, since mountain lions have a large territorial range (up to 100 square miles) and are normally very secretive. Because of their wide-ranging travels, however, tracks and other signs of them are quite frequently seen.
The county’s mammals also include the coyote, which has adapted to a broad range of habitats, including the margins of suburbia; the bobcat, a creature sometimes mistaken for a mountain lion, but smaller and more common and with a short bobtail rather than the lion’s 3-foot tail; the gray fox; skunk; opossum; raccoon; ringtail cat; badger; and various rabbits, squirrels, bats, woodrats, and mice.
Among the more commonly seen reptiles are rattlesnakes, discussed later under “Special Hazards.”
The richness of birdlife in the Orange County area is impressive, not only because of the diversity of its habitats, but also because the county lies along the Pacific Flyway route of spring–fall bird migration and serves as a wintering area for waterfowl. Several species of rare or endangered birds nest or visit, including the southern bald eagle, peregrine falcon, lightfooted clapper rail, least tern, Belding’s savannah sparrow, and least Bell’s vireo.
Fire Ecology
Chaparral and sage scrub have evolved to burn periodically. Many species have highly flammable resinous leaves, and many have underground root burls that survive moderately intense fire and resprout shortly afterward. Some species depend on occasional fires to reproduce, and many “fire follower” wildflowers grow only after a wildfire. Before humans impacted the area, lightning-induced fires typically burned any given acre every 30–150 years.
The arrival of humans has greatly impacted these plant communities. People and cattle have brought a number of invasive species, especially mustard and nonnative grasses. These plants grow vigorously in the spring, then die and dry up in the summer, adding vast amounts of tinder for fires. People have also increased the frequency of ignition; downed power lines, vehicle accidents, careless smokers and campers, kids with matches, and malicious arsonists have all caused major fires in Southern California.
Deep inside Water Canyon, Chino Hills State Park (see Chapter 7)
As a result, wildfires have become much more frequent in Southern California. In 1993, Orange County became keenly aware of its fire risk as the Ortega Fire incinerated 21,010 acres around Highway 74 and the Laguna Beach Fire swept through Laguna Canyon, burning 14,337 acres and 336 homes. From 2006 to 2008, the Sierra Fire and Santiago Fire burned major portions of the Santa Ana Mountains and western foothills, and then the Freeway Complex Fire swept across almost all of Chino Hills State Park. Fires have become so frequent in some areas that plants may not be able to reestablish themselves before the next wave arrives, threatening to cause permanent ecological changes in which the native sage scrub is replaced by even more flammable invasive weeds.
Health, Safety, and Courtesy
Good preparation is always important for any kind of recreational pursuit. Hiking Southern California’s backcountry is no exception. Although most of our local environments are seldom hostile or dangerous to life and limb, hikers should be aware of some pitfalls.
Preparation and Equipment
An obvious safety requirement is being in good health. Some degree of physical conditioning is always desirable, even for those trips designated as easy or moderate. The more challenging trips (rated “moderately strenuous” or “strenuous” in difficulty) require stamina and occasionally some technical expertise. Fast walking, running, bicycling, swimming, aerobic dancing, and any similar exercise that develops both your leg muscles and the whole body’s aerobic capacity are recommended as preparatory exercise.
For long trips over rough trails or cross-country terrain (there are several in this guide), the most adequate way to prepare is by practicing the activity itself. Start with easy or moderately long trips first to accustom your leg muscles to the peculiar stresses involved in walking over uneven terrain and scrambling over boulders, and to acquire a solid sense of balance. As I note later, hiking boots rather than lightweight shoes are preferred for such travel, primarily from a safety standpoint.
Because all hiking in the Orange County area is below 6,000 feet in elevation, health complications due to high altitude are rare. You may, however, notice that you lose some energy and breathe more rapidly in the higher parts of the Santa Ana Mountains.
An important aspect of preparation is choosing your equipment and supplies. The essentials you should carry with you at all times into the backcountry are the items that would allow you to survive, in a reasonably comfortable manner, one or two unscheduled nights out on the trail. It’s important to note that no one ever plans to experience these nights! No one plans to get lost, injured, stuck, or pinned down by the weather. Always do a “what if” analysis for a worst-case scenario, and plan accordingly. These essential items are your safety net; keep them with you on all your hikes.
Chief among the essential items is warm clothing. Away from the coast, winter temperatures can plummet from warm at midday to subfreezing at night. Layer your clothing; it is better to take along two or more midweight outer garments than rely on a single heavy or bulky jacket. Add to this a cap, gloves, and a waterproof or water-resistant shell (a large trash bag with a hole for your head will do in a pinch), and you’ll be quite prepared for all but the most severe weather experienced in the areas described in this book.
In hot, sunny weather, sun-shielding clothing is another “essential.” It normally includes a sun hat and a light-colored, long-sleeved top.
Water and, to a lesser extent, food are next in importance. Because potable water isn’t generally available, carry a generous supply. On a hot summer’s day in the Santa Anas, you might need to drink up to a gallon of water on a 10-mile hike. You need to eat food to stave off hunger and keep your energy stores up, but it is less essential than water in a survival situation.
Down the list farther, but still “essential,” are a map and compass (or a GPS unit and the know-how to use it); flashlight; fire-starting devices (examples: waterproof matches or lighter) and candle; and first-aid kit.
Items that are not always essential, but potentially very useful and convenient, include sunglasses, a pocketknife, whistle (or other signaling device), sunscreen, and toilet paper.
Every member of a hiking party should carry the essential items mentioned above because individuals or splinter groups may end up separating from the party for one reason or another. If you plan to hike solo in the backcountry, being well equipped is all-important. Be sure to check in with a park ranger, or leave your itinerary with some other responsible person. That way, if you do get stuck, help will probably come to the right place—eventually.
Special Hazards
Other than getting lost or pinned down by a rare sudden storm, you may face these three most common hazards in the foothill and mountain areas: poison oak, ticks, and rattlesnakes.
Poison oak, in bush or vine form, is common along many hillsides and canyons below 5,000 feet. It often grows thickly on the banks of streamcourses, where it seems to prefer the semishade of live and scrub oaks. Learn to recognize its distinctive three-leafed structure, and avoid touching it with your skin or clothing. Poison oak is deciduous, losing its leaves usually in summer or fall, but the bare stems harbor some of the urushiol that causes an allergic reaction in some people. If you cannot avoid contact with the poison oak plant, thick pants (such as jeans) and a long-sleeved shirt will serve as fair barriers for protecting your skin.
