Shady Canyon
Bonita Canyon Dr. and Shady Canyon Dr., Irvine, CA 92603
Length: 4 miles Trail end points: Juanita Moe Trail at Sand Canyon Ave. and Quail Hill Pkwy. and Bonita Canyon Trail at Bonita Canyon Dr. and Shady Canyon Dr. Trail surfaces: Asphalt, Concrete Trail activities: Bike, Inline Skating, Wheelchair Accessible, Walking Shady Canyon is the perfect place to forget suburban life is just minutes away. Accessible through guided activities or on Wilderness Access Days, the trails of Shady Canyon are well maintained and filled with great views, fantastic geological formations and quiet valley meadows. Those same trails are also some of the most challenging trails on the Landmarks, with steep, rocky climbs and descents. Visitors to Shady Canyon may come across some native wildlife including brush rabbits, red-tailed hawks, gopher snakes, southern Pacific rattlesnakes, darkling beetles and turkey vultures.One of the most recognizable rock formations on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks can be found in the heart of Shady Canyon. Located at the intersection of Shady Oaks, Butterfly Valley and Monkey Flower Mesa trails is Three Sisters Rock. This sandstone formation has been eroded overtime into what appears to be three almost identical rocks and is an exciting destination for hikers and mountain bikers.
