Signs mark the closure at the entrance to the Limestone Canyon and Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, which was nearly destroyed last year. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
A butterfly lands on black mustard growing in the burned area . (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
Senior Park Ranger Vicky Malton surveys a burn area. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
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New life sprouts from a prickly pear cactus. Octobers Santiago fire, set by an unknown arsonist, roared through 90% of this 4,300-acre wilderness area at Orange Countys rugged eastern edge. Hordes of mountain bikers, horseback riders and hikers are expected to flood back into the park, which attracts about 50,000 people a year. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
There will be ranger-led hikes in the park this Sunday and July 20, starting at 10 a.m. at the Red Rock trailhead. Hikers should park ($3) at the Borrego entrance off Portola Parkway between Bake and Alton, then hike in on their own about a mile to the trailhead, at Red Rock Trail and Mustard Road. The total roundtrip from the Borrego entrance is approximately four hours. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
