Bommer Canyon-Turtle Ridge Loop

Dogs No Dogs

Features Spring · Views · Wildflowers

This run starts at the Bommer Canyon Trail, traverses the meadow and nature trail before ascending Turtle Ridge Trail and connecting to community trails that link back to the trailhead.

Bommer Canyon Trail is open from 7 am to 6 pm.

These are multi-use paths so know the right-of-way rules and be aware of other users. (Bikes yield to hikers, and hikers and bikers both yield to horses).

There is often loose gravel and rocks on steep terrain; watch your footing.

From the parking area, take Bommer Meadow Trail south about 0.5 miles. Take a right onto the Nature Loop; follow this south towards historic Irvine Ranch, and Bommer Canyon Community Park. Head east towards and cross Bommer Canyon Road to run on the Bommer Pass Trail. At 1.6 miles the East Fork Trail extends off to the left heading southeast. Continue on Bommer Pass Trail. At the next junction at 1.7 miles take a right to head up Turtle Ridge Trail (West Fork Trail is to the left and ends at the highway).

Using the numerous switchbacks, climb up to the top of Turtle Ridge Trail about 3 miles into the run. Continue on the trail as it descends into suburbia and begin to follow community trails back to the trailhead. At 4.3 miles take a right to head north on a path that bisects the community. At 4.6 miles the trail passes underneath Summit Park Drive, continuing north with houses on the left and empty space on the right. Follow this until your next left, and head across Summit Park Drive again. Once across the road, turn left to follow the path that leads around the outside of the community before turning right and paralleling Shady Canyon Drive. Take a right onto the path just before the road that to the parking area, and follow it back to the trailhead.

Thanks to John McKinney, The Trailmaster, for sharing this trail description. To learn more about trails in California, check out his guides at The Trailmaster Store.

Coastal sage scrub, native grasses, oaks and sycamore trees are all common. In the spring, runners will likely see wildflowers such as, Indian paintbrush, Johnny jump-ups, Mariposa lilies, and buttercups.
Also watch out for poison-oak!
Mountain lions, rattlesnakes and ticks are not uncommon.

From the late 19th century to the 1990s cowboys at Irvine Ranch used the area around the nature trail as a cattle camp. It is now used as a center for special events.