Touring *

From Interstate 405 (the San Diego Freeway) in Irvine, take the Culver Drive exit heading south. Cross University Drive and pass Harvard Avenue. Turn left on Campus Drive and then left again one block up at Turtle Rock Drive. Climb the hill and turn in at the first left, Hillgate. Park against the curb near where Hillgate meets Rockview. Look for the bike path on the north side of Rockview, where it crosses the lawn heading north between some apartments. Map: William R. Mason Regional Park Map, available at the park entrance station.

Opened in 1988, the newest addition to the William R. Mason Regional Park is abundant with plant life that has been left for the most part in its pristine, natural state. Nestled at the base of the San Joaquin Hills, the sun-drenched, marshy lowlands harbor a variety of critters that live in the tall tule grasses. Development in the wilderness portion of Mason Regional Park has been limited to three miles of flat, 10-foot-wide concrete hiking and biking trails and, where necessary to protect the habitat, a few chain-link fences. In some of the dense growth areas, the fences seem barely able to contain the tall grasses and cattails. When both sides of the smooth trail are behind barriers, you find yourself passing down interesting green corridors, unlike any other place you've ever skated. Watch out for wet patches where the marsh waters cross low points in the trail. The more open spaces of the wilderness area feature wild mustard, poppies, and small trees. Future plans include acquisition of Sand Canyon Reservoir, which should also result in trail expansion.