Archive for the ‘Trail Access’ Category

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Palos Verdes Trails Access

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

Feb 19, 2008

Your presence is urgently needed Saturday Feb 23rd, 2008
Rancho Palos Verdes City Council to Decide Trails Uses
This will be your last opportunity to express your views on the trails plan

Where: Point Vicente Interpretive Center Community Room located at 31501 Palos Verdes Drive West (Map)
When: Saturday Feb 23rd 9:30 AM meeting may last all day. Here is the suggested schedule.
Why: Council will review and consider the Public Use Master Plan (PUMP) Committee’s recommended Trails Plan.

● View PUMP Committee trail recommendations for all reserves here.
● View CORBA PV trail recommendations for all reserves here.

You can view the full Planning Commission Staff Report with maps, minutes from the PUMP meetings, comments from committee members, and letters from the public.
What other groups recommend – Equestrian 10-3-07 ,  SUN’P Phase II 10-3-07

You can participate by speaking (details on speaking) and /or sending an email to the city council at CC@rpv.com. We encourage RPV residents to voice their views. Email CORBA PV at info@mtbpv.org if you have questions.

Suggestions:

  • Please don’t send duplicate emails or petitions, make them original.
  • Keep it positive! No need to rant or complain, just tell them what you feel is a fair plan.
  • For specific trails, use the names on the CORBA PV recommendations.
  • For trails not on the map, try west or east of the closest named trail. There should be a map on display.

Below are some points to consider:

  • Cyclist will stay on designated trails and not build new ones.
  • Cyclists will volunteer to repair damage to trails.
  • The bike community is working to make sure everyone knows the rules.
  • There is no evidence that bike use impacts trails any differently from other users if they stay on designated trails.
  • Cyclists have volunteered for trail work and deserve respect.
  • I’ve volunteered to repair these trails. We deserve to ride them. 
  • Cyclists can control their bikes even on the steepest trail.
  • I’ve never had a bad encounter with hikers or horses.

More information is available from the CORBA Palos Verdes web site.

Posted in Palos Verdes, Trail Access | Comments Closed

Stunt High Trail

Friday, February 8th, 2008

Feb 8, 2008

Updated Feb 15, 2008

CORBA has received complaints about irresponsible Mountain Bikers on the Stunt High Trail. The trail is located in Stunt Ranch off of Mulholland Highway a few miles west of Old Topanga Road. This trail runs through Mountains Recreation Conservation Authority (MRCA), Mountains Restoration Trust (MRT) and University of California Reserve land. This trail is used as part of an outdoor education area for young kids to learn about the Native Americans, Plants and Animals.

On 1/27 a group of five riders came down the trail. Four of the five riders were considerate and slowed down as they passed a group of instructors and young kids on the trail. One of the five riders did not slow down at all. The report is that he was out of control and yelled to the group to get out of the way! He nearly missed individuals in the group as he sped passed. After he passed the group he crashed! This apparently was not the first incident like this on this trail. Although this trail has probably been ridden by many riders for years it did not become an issue until this incident. Remember your actions on the trail affect us all!

On Thursday 2/14 we met with the managing authorities for the Stunt High Trail. The outcome of the meeting is not good for Mountain Bikers. The trail will remain closed to Mountain Bike riders! “No Bikes” signs will be installed and MRCA Rangers will patrol and issue tickets to anyone riding the trail! All UC Reserve land is closed to bikes due to its Reserve status. We may have been able to convince the MRT to open their part of the trail to bikes but it is such a small section of the upper trail that it would not have meant much. Other options such as a reroute around the reserve or a new trail in the area were also discussed. A reroute around the reserve will not work due to private property outside of the Reserve land and steep rugged terrain.

Please only ride on trails that are open to bikes. Always control your speed and your bike. Scan the trail ahead for other trail users and animals. Use a bell to alert others of your presence! Bicyclists yield to hikers and horses.

Posted in Advocacy, CORBA News, Santa Monica Mountains, Trail Access | Comments Closed

California State Parks Budget Crisis Threatens Mountain Bike Access

Sunday, January 27th, 2008

Jan 27, 2008

Governor Schwarzenegger’s plan to combat California’s projected budget crisis includes across-the-board program reductions, including many cuts to the state parks department. The new proposal would close 48 parks, including popular destinations like Henry Coe and Topanga Canyon.

California State Parks has been victim to several significant budget reductions in past years and the new plan would seriously imperil the agency’s ability to serve Californians, including more than five million mountain bikers.

Take Action! Send a message to the governor and your representatives!

Tell the Governor and your state legislators that these proposed closures are unacceptable.

Why the Governor Should Spare State Parks

Millions of Californians rely on State Parks for their main source of recreation. At a time when health and obesity are major issues for California citizens, parks are a viable resource that contributes to mental and physical health.

The California State Park System is one of the best in the nation. The proposed budget cuts, on top of significant past reductions, will further jeopardize stewardship of the state’s precious natural and cultural resources.

In comparison to other departments, State Parks has an extremely small budget and therefore a reduced capacity to absorb cuts. The Governor’s plan calls for a $13.3 million reduction, but this will close 48 parks and reduce seasonal staff hours by 50 percent.

Posted in California State Parks, Trail Access | Comments Closed

City of Glendale Trails Master Planning

Thursday, January 10th, 2008

January 10, 2008

The City of Glendale has approved its Trails Master Plan. The City of Glendale covers part of the the east end of the Verdugo Hills, The west end of the San Rafael Hills and all of Deukmejian Wilderness Park.

CORBA has been and will remain involved in this planning process.

The Trails Master Plan was presented to the Glendale Parks and Recreation Department on November 7 and to the City Council a few weeks later.

Funding for the varius projects will need to be obtained. The proposal includes a Mountain Bike Skills park and several new trails.

Posted in Trail Access, Verdugo Mountains | Comments Closed

Man Allegedly Dug 50 Holes On Trails

Saturday, January 5th, 2008

Jan 5, 2008

Revenge was not sweet for a man who allegedly admitted digging holes on bike trails in a Fullerton park as payback for nearly being run down by a mountain biker. He has been charged with felony vandalism, police said Friday. Warren John Wilson, 52, faces a single felony count of vandalism, said Fullerton police Sgt. Linda King. Wilson, who could not be reached for comment, remains free on his own recognizance pending a court date that has not yet been set, according to King. Holes began appearing in mid-June on a trail popular with mountain bike riders that runs parallel to the city’s Bud Turner Trail at Laguna Lake Park at Euclid Street and Laguna Road. About 50 of the holes have been found since June, all dug across the path so that they would pose an obstacle to bicyclists. The holes measured about 1 foot by 2 feet, King said. Tree branches and brush were often placed along the trail, as well as across the trenches in what seemed an attempt to hide them, King said. Some riders reported that they were thrown over the handlebars after hitting the holes, but no major injuries have been reported, she said. A park ranger reported the holes to police, who periodically did surveillance in the area. Detectives checked the trail after a man walking a dog was spotted, and vandalism was found, King said. On Dec. 11, the same man with his dog was seen entering the trail and leaving it 15 minutes later, and a later check showed holes covered with a large piece of concrete and a branch, King said. When questioned by police, Wilson allegedly said that he had “almost been run over” by a bike rider once and, in retaliation, began digging the holes and placing obstacles on the trail, King said.

Posted in Etiquette, Trail Access | Comments Closed

Mountain Biker Input Results

Wednesday, December 12th, 2007

December 12, 2007

Should mountain bikes be allowed on trails or do such bikes do too much harm to the environment? That was the question asked by the South Bay Daily Breeze. 17 of the 20 letters printed were in favor of Mountain Bikes on the trails. See the following link: http://www.dailybreeze.com/editorial/ci_7717296

Posted in Advocacy, Palos Verdes, Trail Access | Comments Closed

Call to Action: Sycamore BMX Bicycle Park to be sold

Thursday, October 18th, 2007

October 18, 2007

HOW TO LEARN MORE The R.S.R.P.D. has contracted with Hogle-Ireland Consultants to post a Sinaloa Park website to inform the community and to receive input as to “What’s Wanted in Simi Valley” We encourage you to check the www.SinaloaPark.com website to get “involved”, understand the proposed project and give thought to fully evaulate the impact that will be imposed on Simi Valley and the Citizens of this community . . . Also see: http://www.sinaloapark.info/BMX_Bicycle_Park.html

Posted in Simi Valley, Trail Access | Comments Closed

Fire Breaks

Wednesday, August 8th, 2007

August 8, 2007

The City of Los Angeles Fire Department’s Special Operations Division and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy noted that the current fire potential is extremely high and unprecedented. The LA City Fire Department Special Operations Division, with the permission of the Conservancy, took “fire life safety” actions to protect the community from wildfire this coming season. The Fire Department’s goal was to re-blade pre-existing fuel breaks (ridges) that run perpendicular to the northeast Santa Ana winds to a width of at least 50 feet wide. While we warmly refer to them as ridges, the fire authorities cut them decades ago to serve as fuel breaks, yet they have not been re-bladed in approximately 20 years. Should fire occur, a DC10 will be flown along the fire-side of the ridges and drop a swath of fire retardant 1/4 mile long per each pass. Fire crews and helicopters will be positioned to fight fire on the leeward side of the fuel breaks, if it is deemed safe.

The ridges that were re-bladed were Kenter Ridge, East and West Mandeville ridges, Westridge and Sullivan Ridge. Per the Fire Department, those are the only ridges that are being “re-bladed.” Only ridges that are, according to the Fire Department, pre-existing fuel breaks, were bulldozed. Trails adjacent to the ridges, such as the Whoops, were not and will not be touched. The Assistant Fire Chief would not commit to including community groups such as CORBA in the fire life safety planning process. While CORBA is not in the business of fire prevention planning and we have no intention of interfering with fire prevention efforts, we are in the business of saving trails. We have requested to be contacted prior to future work projects and that such projects be posted so trail users are aware of what and why a project is being done. We believe that trails can be preserved while authorities accomplish their goals of fire protection.

Posted in Advocacy, Santa Monica Mountains, Trail Access, Trail Hazards | Comments Closed

The Riordan Trail Update

Friday, July 20th, 2007

Jul 20, 2007

The Mt. St. Mary’s Trail is now being realigned and has been renamed the “Nancy & Dick Riordan Trail.” The trail will be completed in, approximately, November 2008. Until then, the Trail will be closed to the public due to construction hazards. The Riordan Trail, however, has already been officially dedicated by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and half of the new trail has been constructed. For more information go to www.canyonback.org

Posted in Santa Monica Mountains, Trail Access, Trail Building and Restoration | Comments Closed

Santa Susanna Pass

Tuesday, May 8th, 2007

May 8, 2007

The State of California is currently in the General planning process for this fairly new State Park. The plan calls for some of the existing trails to be closed to all users, some trails will be open to hikers only. The Old Santa Susana Stage Road may be closed to Mountain Bikes due to its Historic Status. There are also some trails near Oakwood Memorial Park that the Park Service may be considering closing to bikes and Horses to protect cultural resources.

We need your input. For more information, please go to the State Parks Site and check out Preferred Plan on the right side of that page. This is a PDF map of the area and it shows the trails. If you ride this area and know of trails that are not on the map (if they are not on the map they may be closed)and you feel they should remain open for Mountain Bike use or have other feedback, CORBA would like to hear from you. Please contact Hans with any feedback or concerns.

Posted in Advocacy, California State Parks, Trail Access | Comments Closed

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