2025 May 4 Field Trip – Gypsum Canyon
Field Trip – Sunday May 4th
Gypsum Canyon Wilderness
with Fred Roberts and Mel Letterman
BACKGROUND
The Gypsum Canyon Wilderness, is a recently established wildlands area within Lower Gypsum Canyon. A series of new trails offer access to Oven Canyon and the steep slopes of the central ridge. From the ridge line, the view of Gypsum Canyon is dramatic. Gypsum Canyon, once proposed for the development of 8,000 homes, is part of Orange County’s Natural Preserve system and managed by Orange County Parks. Access is limited. It is a wonderful place to be introduced to the plants that make this canyon home.
The canyons are dominated by southern oak woodland, the slopes grassy coastal sage and chaparral still recovering from the 2017 Canyons 2 fire. Among the species seen here chaparral nolina (Nolina cismontana), cotton-thorn (Tetradymia comosa), fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica), many-stemmed dudleya (Dudleya multicaulis), and a small chance of seeing intermediate mariposa lily (Calochortus weedii var. intermedius), though we will likely be there too early for the latter. Provided we have adequate rain, a good diversity of late season wildflowers should be present.
There are seven trails associated with new Wilderness area. The exact route has not yet been determined but will likely involve Cactus Wren and Miner’s Trails, and Oven Canyon Road. Likely, conditions will be overcast, but there is potential for it to be quite hot if the clouds clear away.
REGISTRATION
Register to join this field trip on our Eventbrite page.
LOGISTICS
Meet Time: 8:30, Sunday May 4th.
Meet Location: Gate to Gypsum Canyon at the south end of Gypsum Canyon Road where it meets Santa Ana Road. Someone will be at the open gate. You will drive into the parking area just beyond the gate. Try to be prompt. We will be locking the gate once we step away from it.
Duration: Approx. 4-5 hours.
Physical Difficulty: Moderate, some steep trails.
Bring: Hat, sunscreen, camera, wildflower book/notepad, water, hiking shoes/boots; lunch if interested, at end of hike we will likely return to the park and eat there.
Facilities: Restrooms at parking area.
Plant Intensity: Moderate to high.
Leaders: Fred Roberts and Mel Letterman. Fred authored two versions of the Orange County checklist and co-authored the Wildflowers of Orange County and Santa Ana Mountains. Mel works at Irvine Ranch Conservancy and is an avid field botanist.
