This 6-Mile Irvine Hike Leads to One of OC’s Darkest Secrets

Some hikes lead to ocean views or waterfalls—this one led straight into history.

Over the weekend, I joined a docent-led hike in the foothills of Irvine to visit the site known as Hangman’s Tree.

A small plaque marks one of Orange County’s darkest stories. For decades, it sat buried in mustard weeds until the 2007 Santiago Fire swept through and revealed what locals long whispered about: a lynching site from 1857.

The inscription reads, “Under this tree General Andrés Pico hung two banditos of the Flores Gang.” 

Those men—Francisco Ardillero and Juan Catabo—were captured after the Flores Gang murdered an L.A. sheriff and his posse in 1857. Justice, in those days, was fast and unforgiving.

Standing under those sycamores, it’s hard to imagine what happened here. The canyon is quiet now, reclaimed by nature, yet the history lingers in the air. Learn more about Hangman’s Tree.

The hike itself isn’t for the faint of heart—about 6 miles round trip with 1,800 feet of elevation gain. The trail winds through rugged, exposed terrain, offering sweeping views of the canyons below and distant glimpses of the Saddleback range.

Because the Hangman’s Tree site lies within protected wilderness, you can’t hike there on your own.

Access is limited to docent-led hikes organized by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, which manages the land for preservation. To visit, you’ll need to sign up in advance for one of their scheduled guided programs

FAQs Hangman’s Tree In Irvine

1️⃣ Who were the Flores Gang?
The Flores Gang was a group of outlaws who roamed Southern California in the 1850s, robbing travelers and ranches from Los Angeles to San Juan Capistrano. Their leader, Juan Flores, became infamous after ambushing and killing Los Angeles County Sheriff James Barton and his deputies in 1857.

2️⃣ What happened to Juan Flores?
Juan Flores was captured after a dramatic chase through the Santa Ana Mountains. He was later hanged in Los Angeles before a large crowd, and his execution became one of the most widely reported events of early California’s frontier justice era.

3️⃣ What is the Hangman’s Tree in Irvine?
The Hangman’s Tree marks the site where, in 1857, two members of the Flores Gang—Francisco Ardillero and Juan Catabo, were lynched by a posse led by General Andrés Pico. A small plaque in the foothills near the 241 Toll Road identifies the spot where this act of vigilante justice took place.

4️⃣ Who was General Andrés Pico?
General Andrés Pico was the brother of California’s last Mexican governor, Pío Pico. After California became part of the United States, he remained an influential figure and led the posse that captured and executed two members of the Flores Gang near what is now Irvine.

5️⃣ How was the site rediscovered?
For decades, the plaque marking the Hangman’s Tree sat hidden beneath thick mustard weeds and brush. It was rediscovered in 2007 after the Santiago Fire swept through the area, when firefighters clearing the burn zone uncovered the marker and brought renewed attention to this forgotten piece of Orange County history.

6️⃣ Why is the Hangman’s Tree important to local history?
The site represents one of the earliest recorded acts of vigilante justice in what would later become Orange County. It offers a tangible link to a time when law enforcement was scarce and justice was often carried out by armed citizens.

7️⃣ Was this kind of justice common in early California?
Yes. During the mid-1800s, formal courts and organized law enforcement were rare, especially in rural areas. Historians have documented more than 350 lynchings across California between 1850 and 1935, many targeting Latino and Indigenous people.

8️⃣ How difficult is the hike to Hangman’s Tree?
The hike covers about six miles round trip with 1,800 feet of elevation gain. It is considered strenuous, with steep climbs and exposed terrain, so it’s best for experienced hikers in good physical condition.

9️⃣ Can I hike to Hangman’s Tree on my own?
No. The site lies within protected wilderness managed by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. Visitors are only allowed to access the area as part of a guided hike led by an IRC docent.

🔟 How can I sign up for a docent-led hike?
You can reserve a spot through the Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s website, letsgooutside.org. Hikes are scheduled throughout the year based on weather, wildlife nesting seasons, and trail conditions.

1️⃣1️⃣ Who dedicated the Hangman’s Tree plaque?
The plaque was dedicated in 1967 by members of the El Viaje de Portolá Ride, a group of equestrians and history enthusiasts who retraced the 1769 expedition of Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portolá. During their rides across California, they often placed plaques to commemorate sites linked to early California history.

1️⃣2️⃣ What was the El Viaje de Portolá Ride?
The El Viaje de Portolá Ride was an annual commemorative horseback journey that began in the 1960s. Riders followed portions of Portolá’s original route from San Diego to Monterey, stopping at landmarks to celebrate the state’s Spanish, Mexican, and early American heritage.

1️⃣3️⃣ Why did the group choose to mark Hangman’s Tree?
In the 1960s, Orange County was rapidly expanding, and local historians feared its early history would be lost to development. The riders saw Hangman’s Tree as a vivid symbol of California’s rough frontier era and wanted to preserve its story before it disappeared from collective memory.

1️⃣4️⃣ Why was the plaque lost for decades?
After the 1967 dedication, the site was not maintained and became overgrown with thick mustard weed and brush. Because it sits on rugged, protected land, the plaque eventually vanished from view until the 2007 Santiago Fire burned through the canyon and exposed it again.

1️⃣5️⃣ How accurate is the location of the plaque?
Historians believe the marker stands at the most likely site of the 1857 lynching based on old maps, land records, and oral histories from local ranchers. Although no definitive documentation identifies the exact tree, the location matches 19th-century descriptions of the event and its surrounding landscape.