Archive for the ‘Trail Access’ Category
Local Spin on Great Outdoors Program
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011CORBA Clarifies Sierra Club’s Misinformation
Saturday, February 19th, 2011In the Santa Monica Mountains Task Force of the Sierra Club’s February newsletter, an article about CORBA’s Change In Trail Use request contained incorrect information. The article (see below) stated that CORBA requested the “reworking” of the Yearling and Lookout Trails, which is incorrect. Here is the reply that was sent to the Task Force’s Chair Mary Ann Webster:
FROM THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS TASK FORCE OF THE SIERRA CLUB’S NEWSLETTER:
CORBA WANTS TO OPEN UP OTHER TRAILS TO BICYCLES
CORBA has asked ACTING ANGELES DISTRICT ACTING SUPERINTENDENT CRAIG SAP to consider opening the MUSCH RANCH TRAIL to mountain bikes. Some people are afraid he might be considering responding in the affirmative. The reaction from the Task Force and the TOPANGA STATE PARK DOCENTS was not long in coming. Emails flew back and forth objecting to the proposal and asking for a meeting with Acting Superintendent Sap.
Soon after CORBA also proposed “reworking” and opening to mountain bikes the LOOKOUT and YEARLING TRAILS in the Reagan Ranch portion of MALIBU CREEK STATE PARK. These trails are in botanically and historically sensitive portions of the Reagan Woodland, and parts of them become very muddy in rainy periods, resulting in serious damage to the trail and adjoining woodland flowers. Equestrian leader RUTHIE GERSON reacted very strongly against opening these trails to mountain bikes, as did several MALIBU CREEK STATE PARK DOCENTS.
We took the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Reagan’s birth to point out that Ronald Reagan told a few of us in 1977 that he had personally laid out the Yearling and Lookout trails as his personal riding trails when he owned the Reagan Ranch. That information started a movement among the Malibu Creek State Park Docents to add the Yearling and Lookout trails to the National Register of Historic Places.
Meanwhile, the Topanga and Malibu Creek docents have asked Acting Superintendent Craig Sap to meet with all stakeholders on this issue instead of meeting only with Corba.
Trail Use Change Proposal Meeting
Tuesday, February 15th, 2011The Angeles District of the California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR) has announced a public information meeting for people wanting to know more about the recent trail use change proposal to accept bicycle use on Yearling and Lookout Trails in Malibu Creek State Park. The meeting will be at the Malibu Creek State Park Administration Center, 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas on March 2 from 6-7:30pm. Parking fee will be waived for those attending the meeting. The entrance to the administration building is through the first driveway to the left as you pass the information kiosk at the main entrance to Malibu Creek State Park.
As reported on this blog, CDPR conducted a Trail Use Change Survey and accepted CORBA’s proposal to allow bicycles on the Yearling and Lookout Trails, which are included on a list of trails that CORBA originally submitted for consideration more than 15 years ago, and again most recently in November of 2010. The agenda for this meeting and a copy of the Trail Use Change Survey can be found below.
Trail Use Change Proposal Meeting Agenda
Purpose of the Meeting:
The purpose of this meeting is to gather input from local user groups on a proposed Trail Use Change proposal for the Yearling and Lookout Trails located within Malibu Creek State Park.
Topics:
- Trail Management Plan
- Trail Use Change Survey
- Condition Assessment/Evaluations
- State Parks Multi-Use Design Criteria
- Why Yearling/Lookout was selected
- What modifications would be needed
Public Comment
Access to Closed Trail In Cheeseboro Reconsidered
Friday, February 11th, 2011A few days ago we posted to the blog about a short parallel trail in Cheeseboro Canyon that had been posted closed. According to a National Park Service (NPS) spokesperson, the ranger that initiated the closure gathered input from NPS staff and the public and discussed the findings with her supervisor, and it was determined that the closure would be reconsidered. The NPS spokesperson pointed out that even though the trail is now open, it was and is a user-created social trail and was not created, designed, or approved by NPS. The trail will remain open pending a review by NPS roads and trails staff.
IMBA Professional Trail Care Crew Coming to SANTA BARBARA
Thursday, February 10th, 2011
March 3rd, Presentation “Club Care – Reinvigorating Your Organization”:
5:30pm – 7:30pm, WheelHouse – 528 Anacapa Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
This presentation focuses on techniques that advocacy groups across the country have used to reach goals, overcome, challenges, and build up their community. Any trails, outdoor, environmental, or green based organization/non-profit will benefit from this workshop. Included will be ideas on sustaining boards of directors, recruiting members, and making sure that everyone has a great time participating in their organization. No cost and open to the public.
March 4th, Land Manager Trails Management Workshop:
9am – 12 noon
The purpose of the presentation is to acquaint Land Managers, agency staff and committees, and private land owners with the language, terminology, contemporary trail design, sustainability, and system planning for successful trails. The presentation is a catalyst for an open discussion on sustaining multi-use trails, user management strategies, and trail user education (both mountain bikers and other users). Also discussed will be the effective use of volunteers for trail maintenance.
RSVP required with chris.orr@sbmtv.org
March 5th, IMBA Trail Building School for Crew Leaders and Volunteers*:
8:30am – 5:00pm, Casa De La Raza Library, 601 East Montecito Street Santa Barbara, CA 93103:
This workshop instructs cyclist, hiker, and equestrian volunteers sustainable trail building/maintenance techniques and trains volunteers and land managers to use these skills on their trails and in their community. The workshop will include a half day (8:30am -12:30pm) in class instruction and then a half day on a trail applying and refining skills. Topics will include trail building methodologies, water erosion control structures, trail bed armoring, user control points, technical features, signage, and more. (Location of the trail will be announced in the workshop. Carpooling to work site will be strongly encouraged. )
* The Trail Building School is offered at no cost, but participants and potential crew leaders are asked to commit to three trail work events in 2011.
Pre-registration is required. Register on IMBA website or register by email tochris.orr@sbmtv.org.
Sunday March 6th, IMBA/SBMTV Social Ride.
10:00am. Trail to be announced
Contact me at chris.orr@sbmtv.org or 805.451.0459 for more information.
Reply to Cheeseboro Canyon Responses
Sunday, February 6th, 2011Thanks to all of you who posted your comments regarding our recent blog posting about the possibility of mountain bike access being threatened in Cheeseboro Canyon.
Although the “bonus run” damage may not look like much to most users, one of the top mandates of the National Park Service (“agency”) is resource conservation. Whether you agree or disagree with the agency, if they view it as damage, they are responsible for mitigating that damage. I’m not saying I agree with their assessment, but if that’s their job, we have to respect it. Part of the process is becoming as educated as possible and working with the land managers to the benefit of all concerned, something CORBA has been doing for 24 years.
One responder brought up the question of damage created by horses as they walk on the soft/muddy trails. This is a very good point, one which I brought up with the agency in an email I sent earlier today (see below). I will report back on their response. CORBA representatives also have a meeting with agency representatives in February and we will make sure this topic is revisited.
For those of you who requested examples and locations of the bonus runs, I went there yesterday and took a few photos (see below). It’s not all of the examples, just the more pronounced ones. A couple of the “bonus runs” are actually mud pit bypasses, which hikers seem to be using as well to go around sections where horses have chewed up the trail. Sorry to not have GPS coordinates attached, but if you ride Cheeseboro with any regularity, you’ll know where they are.
As far as the short section of single track that parallels the fireroad that the agency has posted with a sign, I don’t get it either. But again, just because something has been there for a while, it doesn’t mean that the agency doesn’t view it as a problem. 
E-MAIL FROM MARK LANGTON TO NPS REGARDING TRAIL DAMAGE IN CHEESEBORO CANYON: Several people have contacted CORBA regarding the recent sign posting closed the short singletrack section of trail in Cheeseboro that parallels the fireroad about .2 miles from the parking lot. Also, a ranger recently commented that the “bonus runs” in Cheeseboro are causing the agency to be concerned about future mountain bike access. We have also noticed that several of the bonus runs (some of which are really mud pit bypasses) have had branches put in place at either end.
We certainly want to protect the resources, but the question comes up about horse use in the parks and the damage caused by walking on the soft/muddy ground, which causes as much if not more damage and subsequent maintenance workload than the off-trail routes caused by bicycles. In fact, if you look at a couple of the bypass trails (and I know this from experience as well), they are bypassing the horse hoof holes created by horses walking through the mud, and hikers are creating/using them too. Damage is damage, and if one user group (mountain bikers) is being singled while another is not being held accountable (equestrians), especially when the equestrian group represents a much smaller percentage than the mountain bike group while creating much more damage per user, it seems unfair at the least. Please advise.
Mountain Bike Access Threatened in Cheeseboro Canyon
Thursday, February 3rd, 2011Recent comments by National Park Service ranger personnel indicate that resource damage caused by mountain bikers in Cheeseboro Canyon Park in Agoura Hills could threaten future access.
Over the last few years increased off-trail “bonus runs” have been created by mountain bikers and is a fairly serious breech of accepted activity. These bonus runs include parallel routes along designated trails for the purposes of creating a more challenging experience.
Bonus runs are a direct example of mountain bikers not adhering to posted designated trail routes. Continuing this practice could lead to access restrictions. Please think twice about going off-trail: A little personal fun now could cost a lot of fun for a lot of people in the future. Remember, your individual actions speak for the entire mountain biking community.
Trail Conversions to Begin in Malibu Creek State Park
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011On January 26, 2011, CORBA Board of Directors members Mark Langton and Danusia Bennett-Taber met with representatives of California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR) regarding CORBA’s request for considering the change in use of trails to include mountain bikes. This meeting is was part of the State’s new trail conversion process, and several more meetings are expected as more trails are assessed. Representing CDPR were Acting District Superintendent Craig Sap, Topanga Sector Superintendent Lynette Brody, Maintenance Chief Dennis Dolinar, Maintenance Supervisor Dale Skinner, Resource Specialist Tom Dore, Ranger Tony Hoffman, and Roads and Trails Manager of the Facility Management Division Karl Knapp.
It was explained that the trails that were being presented this day were considered for their potential ease of conversion as well as meeting CORBA’s criteria; connectivity, access to the Backbone Trail, and increased access to singletrack. The trails were Musch Trail in Topanga State Park, and Yearling and Lookout Trails in Malibu Creek State Park.
All three of these trails were recommended for conversion to accept mountain bike access. Below are brief descriptions of the recommendations.
MUSCH TRAIL
CDPR recommended that the proposed use change to allow bicycles be accepted with conditions, including significant re-routing of the section east of Backcountry Camp, and re-establishing of tread west of Backcountry Camp. Although the recommendation is to allow bikes, the amount of work/resources necessary makes this a low priority conversion and will not likely be undertaken in the short term. CORBA is confident that the trail will be converted at some point, but recognizes that the amount of resources available to re-establish and reroute the trail keeps it from being a priority. There are several other trails that can be converted with the same or less effort, but CORBA will remain diligent and make sure at some point Musch Trail becomes a priority.
YEARLING AND LOOKOUT TRAILS
Yearling Trail
CDPR recommended that the proposed use change to allow bicycles be accepted with conditions, including a significant re-route of Yearling Trail, and a couple of smaller re-routes on Lookout Trail. Because the tread surface of some of the Yearling Trail is unstable and poses a safety hazard to all users, work will begin quickly pending further State Park evaluation. In combination with the Lookout Trail, this route will create a significant connector for cyclists from the northwest side of Malibu Creek State Park at Regan Ranch (corner of Cornell Road and Mulholland Hwy.) to Crags Road Trail.
The timetable is somewhat unclear, and work is still subject to a CEQA study. However, this represents an important milestone in getting increased access to trails that had been previously closed to bicycles.
Grassland Trail In Malibu Creek in Question
Wednesday, January 26th, 2011A couple of days ago CORBA received reports from some of our members that while riding in Malibu Creek State Park they were told by Mounted Volunteer Patrol (MVP, equestrian) members that “only fireroads, no singletrack” were open to bikes and that the section of Grassland Trail from Mulholland Hwy. and from the Edison Station to Las Virgenes Fireroad/Liberty Canyon Fireroad sections were not open to mountain bikes. It was also reported that this went for the stream bed section of Crags Road Trail (aka the Creek of Doom).
Subsequent conversations with local rangers indicated that the information about the stream bed was incorrect, and that it was open to mountain bikes. The Grassland Trail was not as clear.
On Tuesday 1/26 members of CORBA’s Board of Directors met with State Park officials on several issues, one of them being Grassland Trail’s use designation regarding the sections in question mentioned above. Representing State Parks were Acting District Superintendent Craig Sap, Topanga Sector Superintendent Lynnette Brody, Maintenance Chief Dennis Dolinar, Maintenance Supervisor Dale Skinner, Resource Specialist Tom Dore, Ranger Tony Hoffman, and Roads and Trails Manager of the Facility Management Division Karl Knapp. None of these individuals knew with certainty what the designation of Grassland Trail was, and did not have documentation readily available. They did say that to their knowledge there had never been a closure to bicycles, and have been operating under the assumption it is multi-use, including bicycles. They guaranteed they would provide definitive information as soon as possible, and said that at this time the use designation is status quo, meaning that currently bicycle use is admitted. They also confirmed that the stream bed designation is multi-use, as is the singletrack from De Anza Park to Las Virgenes Fireroad.
Park to Playa Trail Feasibility Study Public Workshop on January 25
Wednesday, January 12th, 2011
In 2000, the “Park to Playa” vision was first articulated: a seamless trail connecting urban residents with the natural coast. The trail will connect approximately 13 miles from the Baldwin Hills along Ballona Creek to the Ballona Wetlands and the beach bicycle path. The Ballona Creek portion of the trail is now implemented. The current study will define the location and design of the eastern portion of the trail, passing through several parks and jurisdictions in the Baldwin Hills area, starting at the Stocker Corridor to the east and connecting parts of the trail systems of Ruben Ingold Park, Norman O. Houston Park, Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, and Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook to the west.
When: Tuesday, January 25 7pm-9pm
Where: Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area Community Meeting Room
4100 La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
Directions: The community meeting room is located in the Community Center past the park entrance gates and Gwen Moor Lake on the south side of the road.
