Читать книгу Afoot and Afield: Orange County - Jerry Schad - Страница 16

trip 1.2 Talbert Nature Preserve

Distance 2-plus miles (loop)

Hiking Time 1 hour

Elevation Gain 50’

Difficulty Easy

Trail Use Cyclists, dogs, good for kids

Best Times All year

Agency OC Parks: TNP

DIRECTIONS The trip begins at Fairview Park on the western edge of the city of Costa Mesa. From the 55 Freeway, exit at Victoria Street, and pay close attention at the complex exit. Take Victoria west for 1.4 mile, then turn right on Placentia Avenue, and proceed 0.8 mile to Fairview Park on the left.

Another large restoration project has been in progress since 1993 along the floodplain just east of the channelized Santa Ana River in the city of Costa Mesa. Talbert Nature Preserve consists of two 90-acre sections, divided by busy Victoria Street: a north parcel laced with wide, smooth trails, and a south parcel still in the midst of restoration. The proposed Orange Coast River Park would be centered on Talbert and would permanently protect habitat and recreation along the lower end of the Santa Ana River.

The planting of native vegetation in the preserve is being guided both by remaining native vegetation on-site and by attempts to recreate plant communities similar to those that existed in this region before nearly every available acre was put to use for agriculture, housing, or industry. Several plant “zones” in the preserve, including coastal strand, native grassland, alluvial woodland, and wetland vegetation, are identified by means of trailside interpretive plaques. Thus, the preserve serves as a native botanical garden, refuge for wildlife, and educational and recreational resource.

From the restrooms near the main entrance to Fairview Park, walk a short distance west, and turn right on the asphalt bike path. Follow the path north and then west down a hill. At the base of the hill where you pass a staircase on the left and a wetlands trail on the right, continue straight to reach the signed Talbert Nature Preserve entrance on the left, 0.5 mile from the start. (The paved path itself continues west to tie-in with the Santa Ana River bike path, another way to reach Talbert’s entrance if you are arriving by bicycle.)

A wide, flat, decomposed-granite path suitable for hikers, cyclists, and horses runs toward the south from the entrance for a mile, beneath the brow of a steep bluff. It then connects with a segment of paved bike path leading to Victoria Street. Short of that juncture, there are opportunities to branch west and loop back to the entrance using unimproved trails. Those alternate trails may turn muddy after significant rainfall.

Talbert Nature Preserve is an extraordinarily quiet place, screened from traffic noise by the bluff rising on the east and levees on the west, which effectively deaden the din from the surrounding cityscape.

Fairview Park has many other points of interest worthy of exploration while you are in the area. A Tongva village was once situated atop the bluff, and the countless shards of shellfish provide a reminder of their coastal lifestyle. Five rare vernal pools that fill up during spring rains can be found here. Some support fairy shrimp, which lay their eggs in the mud, and which then hatch the next year when the rainy season begins again. The shrimp can complete their lifecycle in only 16 days, growing to maturity, mating, and laying their eggs in the mud before their ephemeral ponds evaporate.

At the north end of the park, a system of ponds has been established to naturally treat water from the Greenville-Banning Channel before it enters the Santa Ana River. A mazelike trail network through the wetlands provides good views of the waterfowl and wildflowers.

The Harbor Soaring Society flies an impressive array of remote-control aircraft at a dirt strip on the south side of Fairview Park. On the east side of Placentia, the Orange County Model Engineers operate a miniature railroad and offer rides to the public on the third weekend of each month.

VARIATION

South Talbert Preserve is most conveniently accessed from a gate on the corner of Balboa Avenue and Discovery Drive. The section includes a major stand of willows and mulefat. Naturalists are removing invasive species, especially pampas grass, and planting native vegetation. Various 2-mile strolls are possible, and the northwest and southwest corners also connect to the Santa Ana River Trail. In the center of the preserve is the incongruous but fascinating Sheep Hills BMX course, where you may see riders testing their skills on epic jumps.

Matalija poppies resemble fried eggs.