Archive for the ‘Angeles National Forest’ Category

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LA County Trail Assessment Public Meeting

Thursday, February 16th, 2012
A packed room hears the County and DC&E's presentation

A packed room hears the County and DC&E's presentation

On February 15, 2012, more than 80 people gathered at Hart Park Hall in Santa Clarita Valley to hear and weigh in on the County’s plans. Of those 80 or more people, more than 70 identified themselves as mountain bikers. The SCV Trail Users did an outstanding outreach effort to get people to come to the meeting. Many brought helmets, identifying themselves as off-road cyclists. The closure of the Canyon trail in Placerita Nature Center to bicycles has united the cycling community in the area.

The meeting was being conducted by DCE Planning, the contractor retained by the County to perform the trail assessment and make a recommendation.  After a brief round of introductions by Melissa Erikson, Sarah Sutton gave background on DC&E’s experience related to trails and planning and the trails assessment process they will be using. Stephen Copely is the non-motorized trails manager for the fifth district, and will be the contact person for the County as the process moves forward, though he did not speak during the meeting.

Melissa then gave some background of the DOJ ruling from March 2011 regarding accessibility and ADA compliance, which is her specialty. There’s a lot of misunderstanding about this DOJ  ruling. Trail and open space managers must allow personal mobility devices–which in the broadest interpretation could mean anything from quads to motorcycles to segways to wheelchairs–on any trail that pedestrians/hikers are allowed, unless they can show a “good reason” they shouldn’t be allowed. In order to show a good reason, an objective assessment of the trail is needed.  Essentially the assessment will kill two birds with one stone: determining the feasibility of personal mobility devices for the disabled and permitted uses on a trail.

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Posted in Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles, Trail Access | Comments Closed

9th District Court Rules against the Forest Adventure Pass

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, in a published opinion on February 9th reversed and remanded a lower court ruling that had dismissed a case against the U.S. Forest Service.  They found in Adams v. USFS that the Recreational Enhancement Act “unambiguously prohibits the Forest Service from charging fees in the Mount Lemmon HIRA for recreational visitors who park a car, then camp at undeveloped sites, picnic along roads or trailsides, or hike through the area without using the facilities and services.”

Excerpted from the published opinion:

“The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (“REA”) prohibits the United States Forest Service from charging fees “[s]olely for parking, undesignated parking, or picnicking along roads or trailsides,” for “hiking through . . . without using the facilities and services,” and “[f]or camping at undeveloped sites . . . .” 16 U.S.C. § 6802(d)(1)(A), (D) & (E).

“Despite these clear prohibitions, the Forest Service collects fees from all drivers who park their vehicles in a mile-wide piece of the Coronado National Forest running along the 28–mile Catalina Highway, the only paved road to the summit of Mount Lemmon, a heavily used recreational area an hour’s drive from downtown Tucson, Arizona.

“Four recreational visitors sued, seeking a declaration that  the Forest Service was exceeding the scope of its authority under the REA by charging fees to those who drive to Mount Lemmon, park their cars, then picnic, hike, or camp in nearby undeveloped areas. Plaintiffs also sought to enjoin the Forest Service from collecting such fees. The district court granted defendants’ Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss. Plaintiffs appealed. Because plaintiffs are correct that the Forest Service’s fee structure contravenes the plain language of the REA, we reverse the district court’s dismissal of Count I and remand to allow plaintiffs to pursue that claim.”

In CORBA’s ongoing relationship with the Forest Service, we understand that locally the Adventure Pass is a major source of their funding for on-the-ground projects, maintenance and services. Even with Adventure Pass fees, they are grossly under-funded.

It is unclear at this point how the ruling will affect Southern California’s Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres and San Bernadino National Forests, where the adventure pass program has been in place for more than a decade. Currently, fees are required for all vehicles that park within the forest boundary, even if, as in the plaintiff’s case, no facilities are used. Many eyes will be watching when Adams v. USFS returns to the lower court.

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Posted in Angeles National Forest, National, San Gabriel Mountains | Comments Closed

New U.S. Forest Service Planning Rules Presents Opportunities for Mountain Bike Groups

Friday, January 27th, 2012

Via IMBA

For Immediate Release 1-27-2012

Contact: Mark Eller
IMBA Communications Director
markeller@imba.com
303-545-9011

The U.S Forest Service recently announced a new set of rules that will shape the way foresters oversee its lands, including planning for and implementing trails and other recreational facilities. The Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Forest Service, posted the new procedures online today.

“This is welcome news for IMBA and its affiliated chapters and clubs,” said Mike Van Abel, the executive director for the world’s largest association of mountain bike organizations. “IMBA’s outstanding relationship with the Forest Service sets the stage for our local affiliates to partner with individual forest units as they make plans for shared-use trails.”

IMBA sent dozens of representatives to the Forest Service’s national series of listening sessions as it was preparing for the just-announced rule change. “Those efforts proved to be really worthwhile,” says Jeremy Fancher, IMBA’s lead attorney. “It’s particularly encouraging to see a renewed emphasis on following best practices and considering scientific evidence. IMBA’s partnership agreement with the Forest Service will help us provide the right information for effective recreation planning.”

Fancher frequently advises IMBA-affiliated chapters and clubs on forest planning efforts. IMBA also offers scientific studies on the impacts of mountain biking and guidance on trail design on its website. Learn more about planning efforts in the forests near you by visiting the Forest Service’s Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) website.

To raise public awareness about how mountain bikers and Forest Service staff interact, IMBA helped sponsor Pedal-Driven, an award-winning documentary. The Forest Service has officially endorsed the hour-long film, and IMBA’s local chapters and clubs are currently hosting dozens of screenings. “This production documents the great things we can accomplish when we work together to solve problems,” said Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Supervisor Becki Heath, whose forest is featured prominently in the documentary.

Posted in Advocacy, Angeles National Forest, National, Trail Access | Comments Closed

Trailwork Report: Gabrielino Trail

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

Gabrielino Trail MWBA and CORBA CrewsOn January 14, 2012, volunteer crews once again tackled the Gabrielino Trail between Switzers and Redbox.  CORBA combined forces with the Mount Wilson Bicycling Association, our neighboring IMBA chapter.

We continued on our work from our last trailwork event in December, working on approximately 2 additional miles of trail. The crews hiked in from the access road halfway between Clear Creek and Redbox. From there, one crew headed down the trail, and another headed up the trail. A third crew of two went to Redbox and worked their way down clearing debris and downed trees from the trail. The crews cleared and rock-armored several drainages, cut back brush, repaired damaged trail tread, and cleared rock and other debris from the trail. Several groups of hikers and cyclists came through as the work was being done, many more than we saw during the last trailwork day in December.

With the trail now over 95% rideable, we anticipate many more users on the trail as we enter spring. However, we must caution everyone to beware of the poodle dog bush. It’s impractical to cut back, but much of the trail is lined with the plant. At least two of the volunteers reported cases of poodle dog a few days after the work was completed.

Everyone had a great time. The Pasadena Mountain Bike Club were well represented, with several first-time trailwork volunteers.  “It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun,” commented Mike, one of the first-time volunteers. “I definitely want to come back and do more next time.”  A deli-style lunch spread was put on for the volunteers and at least five of the volunteers went and rode the trail immediately after lunch. “That’s the best reward ever,” said Jenny Johnson, “being able to ride a trail you helped restore.”

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Posted in Angeles National Forest, San Gabriel Mountains, Trail Crew, Trail Hazards | Comments Closed

Upcoming trailwork: Gabrielino Trail, January 14

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

Join the CORBA trailcrew! Come out and help restore the Gabrielino Trail between Switzers and Redbox in the Angeles National Forest. We will be working with the Mount Wilson Bicycling Association and other groups to get the middle section of trail re-established. We completed much of the lower section in December. There are a number of sections of the trail that need to be rebuilt from washed out drainages, some brush that needs to be cut back and cleared, and a lot of debris on the trail. The work will be weather permitting, so if there is a threat of rain, check here the night before. Wear sturdy shoes, long sleeved shirt, long pants, and bring gloves if you have them. We will supply gloves, hard hats and lunch. RSVP or send any questions to trailcrew@corbamtb.com.

Meet at the Upper Switzers Parking Lot at 8:00 a.m. (click the Map link above) or carpool from Flanders Rd & Chehalem Rd, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011, just north of the 210 freeway on ACH.

If you’re unable to make it on the 14th, we also have work scheduled for January 8th, Sunday, on the Rim trail.

Posted in Angeles National Forest, Trail Crew | Comments Closed

Rim Trail Trailwork – Report and Upcoming Jan 8

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

After CORBA’s productive trailwork day on the Rim trail in December, Belfree contractors went in and worked their magic on the most dangerous sections of the trail.

On December 28, 29, and 30th, they hiked in with hand tools and professional know-how and achieved what would seem impossible. The narrowest, most dangerous sections of trail have been restored to a much safer width.

The slide areas near the top and the large one about two miles in have been repaired, with rock retaining walls built and/or repaired. At least 6 rock retaining walls were built, repaired or replaced, and one large tree which had fallen onto the trail and was standing nearly vertically, leaning against the rock face above, was removed. CORBA contracted Bellfree Contractors for the work using a trail restoration grant from REI. When combined with our volunteer work, the grant money has helped open at least three popular trails in the Angeles.

The Rim trail is possibly in the best shape it has been in the last 10 – 15 years. Because only natural, local rock was used for reinforcement, the trail still retains a very rugged feel, and has not lost any of it’s backcountry character. In the before and after photo two retaining walls that were built and one that was repaired can be seen. We thank Bellfree Contractors for working with us to stay within our grant budget, and yet achieve so much.

We plan another day of trailwork with a small volunteer crew this weekend, on January 8, and continue brushing and benching the last two miles of the trail down to Newcombe’s Saddle. Please RSVP to trailcrew@corbamtb.com/ We’ll be cutting back slough and re-establishing the bench starting two miles in, and for as much of the trail as we can get to in one day. This will mean a two mile hike down to the work site. You’re welcome to ride a bike and continue on to Chantry Flat, or ride/hike back up, but will need to make your own shuttle arrangements. Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, long sleeves, and gloves if you have them (we’ll supply gloves and hard hats if you don’t). Meet at Mt. Wilson by the observatory at 8:30 a.m. Carpool from the ACH, just north of the 210 freeway at 7:45 a.m. Thanks for making a difference to our trails.

2011-12-29 rim trail before and after

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Posted in Angeles National Forest, Trail Crew, Trail Hazards | Comments Closed

Trailwork Report: Gabrielino and Rim Trails, Angeles National Forest

Saturday, December 17th, 2011

Over the first weekend in December, 2011, CORBA trail crew volunteers came out to help restore the fire-damaged trails of the Angeles National Forest.

Gabrielino Trail, December 3, 2011

On a cool and mostly clear Saturday, CORBA and Mount Wilson Bicycling Association volunteers teamed up to work on the Gabrielino trail. The Gabrielino between Switzers and Redbox was opened to the public back in May 2011, though the trail has had little attention and was in very poor shapte. Through many sections the old trail is simply non-existent.  Starting at Switzer’s Day Use area, the volunteers worked their way up the trail.

At the outset, two large trees were removed from the trail. These had toppled in the ferocious wind storm of November 30, 2011, and were not present when the trail was surveyed for work a week earlier. A third tree remains and is too massive to move with hand tools. The yellow warning signs greeting trail users on trails that pass through burn zones has a clear message: That trees, weakened by the fire, pose a considerable hazard and may fall at any time. Especially now, more than two years after Station Fire, dead trees are beginning to rot and weaken. Falling trees will continue to be a danger for years to come.

The volunteer trail crews, led by Mitch Marich of the MWBA, and Hans Kiefer and Steve Messer from CORBA, rebuilt two severely damaged drainages that required extensive rock retaining walls and rock armoring. In addition, tread was outsloped and widened along many narrowed sections and the brush was cut back. The crews worked on approximately 1.3 miles of trail, from switzers to the second stream crossing and switchbacks. Some sections of the trail now run along the alluvial wash at the base of the canyon. This was created by the tremendous water and debris flows of the past two winters. However, all of the trail worked on by the crew is now easily negotiable for trail users (with the exception of the one large downed tree that remains). With another day’s work in January, we hope to have the entire trail clear of significant obstacles and seeing regular use once again.

Moving rocks and re-building the trail:

Moving Rocks on the Gabrielino

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Posted in Angeles National Forest, San Gabriel Mountains, Trail Crew | Comments Closed

Trailwork December 3/4 – Angeles National Forest

Monday, November 21st, 2011

Gabrielino Trail

Join the CORBA trailcrew to help restore the Gabrielino Trail between Switzers and Redbox on Saturday, December 3.  You don’t need any experience, and you’ll be helping get a great trail back to a rideable condition.

We will be working with the Mount Wilson Bicycling Association and other groups to get this section of trail re-established. There are a number of sections of the trail that need to be rebuilt from washed out drainages, some brush that needs to be cut back and cleared, and a lot of debris on the trail. The work will be weather permitting, so if there is a threat of rain, check here the night before. Wear sturdy shoes, long sleeved shirt, long pants, and bring gloves if you have them. We will supply gloves, hard hats and lunch. RSVP or send any questions to trailcrew@corbamtb.com or on the MWBA Facebook Event.

Where: Switzers Day-Use Area Upper Parking Lot (Map), Angeles National Forest. Carpool from the Angeles Crest Highway just north of the 210 freeway. (Map to Carpool Spot)

What to bring: You MUST wear long pants, long sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes and gloves (if you have them). We will supply hard hats and tools, along with instruction and supervision.

Please RSVP to trailcrew@corbamtb.com.

 

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Rim Trail

On Sunday, December 4th, we’ll work on the Rim Trail off Mt. Wilson.  We will clear the trail of brush, re-establish the bench and clear slides in several places. The work will be weather permitting, so if there is a threat of rain, check here the night before. Wear sturdy shoes, long sleeved shirt, long pants, and bring gloves if you have them. We will supply gloves, hard hats and lunch.

Meet at Mt. Wilson parking lot near the Cosmic Cafe (map) at 9:00 a.m. on December 4th. Carpool from the ACH just north of the 210 freeway at 8:00 a.m. (Map to Carpool Spot)

RSVP or send any questions to trailcrew@corbamtb.com.

Posted in Angeles National Forest, San Gabriel Mountains, Trail Crew | Comments Closed

Mueller Tunnel Contract Awarded

Friday, November 18th, 2011
Extensive Damage to Mueller Tunnel

Mueller Tunnel will be repaired 2012

Back in January 2011, we reported that the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) was seeking public comment on the rebuilding and restoration of the Mt. Lowe Truck Trail adjacent to Mueller Tunnel. We submitted our comments, fully supporting the rebuilding and re-opening of the road, and encouraged CORBA members and other trail users to do the same.

At the November 2011 Angeles National Forest Volunteer Meeting, the Forest service announced that the contract for the repair project has been awarded by the FHA. This is great news for the trail community and for safety, as the Mt. Lowe road is needed for both fire fighting and as an alternative escape route from Mt. Wilson. Mt. Lowe Truck Trail provides mountain bikers and hikers access to the Mt. Lowe trail, Sam Merrill Trail, Idlehour trail, and was a popular shuttle option from Mt. Wilson road. It was originally constructed in 1942. It also provides volunteer trail crews like CORBA’s convenient access to those trails for trailwork.

While the contract has been awarded, the work has not yet been scheduled. Winter weather will dictate when the work can begin, but it is expected to start sometime in the spring. Once completed, the Forest Service expects to re-open the Mt. Lowe fire road. We hope to be riding through the tunnel in Summer 2012.

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Posted in Angeles National Forest, San Gabriel Mountains, Trail Hazards | 3 Comments »

Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011 Signed by Obama

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

On November 7, 2011, President Obama signed into law the Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011 (S. 382/H.R. 765). A version of this legislation was first introduced by Senator Mark Udall (D-Colorado) in 2008, and again in 2010. The bill was re-introduced in February 2011, and this year passed both the House and Senate. It has strong support from both the mountain bike community and the Ski industry. IMBA testified in favor of the act earlier this year and has signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding with the National Ski Area Association to help increase visitation and improve summer mountain bike experiences at U.S. ski areas.

The Act amends the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 and clarifies the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to “permit appropriate additional seasonal or year-round recreational activities and facilities on National Forest System land subject to Ski Area permits.”  The act goes on to specifically mention mountain bike terrain parks and trails, zip lines, frisbee golf courses and ropes courses as acceptable additional recreational activities for ski areas. It excludes activities such as tennis courts, water slides, swimming pools and golf courses.

This should make it easier for ski areas to get the required permits to operate mountain bike parks during their summer off-season. Year-round recreation at ski resorts is expected to create additional jobs and increase local commerce. Ski areas must still comply with environmental regulations when operating year-round, and their primary function has to remain snow sports.

In the Angeles National Forest there are four ski areas: Mountain High (East, West & North), Mt. Waterman, Ski Sunrise and Mt. Baldy. For a few short weeks in 2009 Mt. Waterman opened to bicycles in the summer, but was forced to abandon its mountain bike park plans because of the limitations of their ski area permit. The passage of HR 765 now allows the Secretary of Agriculture to issue permits for mountain bike parks to existing ski area permit holders.

This is a great step forward and one that will hopefully increase our opportunities for lift-access trails and bike parks in the years to come.

Posted in Angeles National Forest, Bike Skills Park, National | Comments Closed

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