We had 21 participants in this month’s basic skills clinic at Malibu Creek State Park with clear weather and a perfect temperature. There was no water in the creek – everybody rode across but there were no splashes! You can see all the photos in the August Skills Clinic Photo Gallery!
Archive for the ‘Regions’ Category
August 6th Skills Clinic Photos
Sunday, August 7th, 2011Beware the Poodle Dog Bush
Thursday, July 21st, 2011
This pretty but toxic native bush is wreaking havoc on many trail users in the recently opened Station Fire area.
Many people have been returning to the Angeles National Forest since the opening of the trails in May. As summer weather entices riders to the high country, many are getting their first glimpses of a changed forest. One of those changes is the abundant Poodle Dog Bush.
Poodle Dog Bush, also known as Common Turricula, or Purple Flower Poodle Bush, is a beautiful purple flowered native bush. It’s an opportunist. Its seeds will lie dormant in chaparral areas for many years waiting for a major disturbance of the soil. Fire is one such disturbance, and the Station Fire has brought the bush back to life with a vengeance.
People often stop on the Angeles Crest Highway or along trails to pick the pretty purple flowers. It is unfamiliar to most people, and quite attractive. It has long slender serrated leaves and flower stems similar in appearance to Phacelia, though it has an upleasant, slightly pungeant odor. The stems grow from the base of the plant and it can grow to eight feet tall.
What people don’t realize is that the bush is covered with tiny hairs similar to stinging nettle, seen clearly in the close-up image below. However, there is no immediate pain or sensation like nettle gives. Poodle Dog hairs will latch on to bare skin or clothing and release a toxin to which most people will have a severe contact dermatitis type reaction. The swelling, rash and itching appear twelve hours to two days after contacting the bush, and the rash can last for two weeks or more and require medical attention. Severe cases can result in large blisters.
The bush is more prevalent at higher elevations, but can appear throughout the recently burned areas. Forest Service officials have stated that the current post-Station Fire bloom is the largest in recent history. Trail users and trail maintenance volunteers need to be especially cautious, as it has appeared along many trails including narrow single track trails where it is difficult to avoid.
If exposed to the bush, avoid scratching the affected area. Clothes, tools or other equipment that has come into contact should be handled with caution and washed separately from other clothes. Calamine or over-the-counter Hydrocortizone cream may provide some relief, but if blisters begin to form medical attention may be required. Poison Oak remedies such as Zanfel or Tecnu have little effect, but washing the area as soon as possible after exposure is advised.
We need to be aware of Poodle Dog Bush. It’s life-cycle can last up to ten years after a significant fire or other disturbance. Eventually it will die off and lay dormant once again, waiting for the next big fire to come back to life.
Charleton Flats/Chilao: Trail Conditions two years after the Station fire – ride report
Sunday, July 17th, 2011July 9, 2011 – With some trepidation we headed up to the San Gabriels to ride our favorite trail Charleton Flats to Mt. Hilliard. This was our first time seeing the trail after two years of waiting for the area to recover from the devastating Station fire. We wondered if we would find any remnants of the trails that had given us so many of our favorite challenges, weekend warrior tales and weary pleasure savored for days afterwards. Our questions were soon answered with both good news and bad. 
First the bad news. From the Charleton Flats picnic area parking lot , the single track heading up towards Vetter Mtn. was mostly rideable but there is some eroded soft spots, a few trees down across the trail and tall purple flowers blooming in profusion everywhere whacked us in the face as we navigated along the faint trace of the trail. We lost the trail somewhere near the road crossing and pedaled up the main road the rest of the way to the summit. Just before reaching the summit, I saw that the Vetter single track is signed “Closed” and to please respect the closure. It is closed from top to bottom. As if it wasn’t badly eroded enough before, I could well imagine it might be completely demolished now. The Lookout burned completely to the ground. The Lookout volunteer who was there explained money is being raised to rebuild it with the help of volunteers.
We descended on the road and turned left to head over to the Silver Moccasin fire road and Chilao. The Silver Moccasin was in pretty good shape not drastically different than two years ago. Perhaps more loose rock and sand. Picking up the single track I was pleased to see it completely intact with little to no damage. However, the surrounding areas on either side of the trail were completely burned. Dead blackened trees and shrubs stood out in stark contrast to the purple flowering plants and greenery beginning to establish itself. This area that was moderately tree and chaparral covered is now so open you can clearly see the Mt. Wilson radio towers in the distance.
Crossing the Chilao Road the trail continued intact with intermittent burned areas merging with swaths of green that survived the blaze untouched. Although we did not meet any other bikers, we did see a pair of hikers and a group of four equestrians. There were several cars parked at Chilao and other vehicles busily zoomed up and down the road. The only significant change to the Silver Moccasin was the creek crossing just before hitting the paved road which used to be rideable, now requires a hike-a-bike across the creek on two fallen trees. At the Chilao Ranger Station, we stopped briefly to get water when we saw the Forest Service staff who were loading a truck start to run, grabbing equipment and stuffing tools into their pockets. The loudspeaker blared out names of units to respond to a small brush fire somewhere I couldn’t make out. Pedaling out the road, we had barely reached the gate down to Alder Creek when we heard the “thwack, thwack, thwack” of helicopter blades as it lifted off bound for the fire no doubt.
The road towards Mt. Hilliard seemed much the same as before. The only slightly unusual thing was the traffic on the road. One off road motorcyclist and three SUV’s barreled past us where we usually encounter no one. Perhaps they were just as curious as we were to see the extent of the fire’s damage. As we arrived at the single track leading up to Mt. Hilliard, I was stunned by the barren slope stripped of the manzanita, trees and chaparral leading up to the first big impossible (for me) hill climb up to Hilliard. I was relieved to see tall green conifers still standing majestically on the hill. The sandy single track was still there slightly modified by several rain run-off berms. The rest of Hilliard was as I remembered – that was the really good news. I was so busy grinning from ear to ear I barely caught a glimpse of two groups of hikers sitting in the shade of the boulders.
CORBA’s trail crew is waiting on the Forest service to schedule work up there, but nothing is planned just yet. Please come out with the trail crew and lend a hand to repair Charleton/Chilao and other trails we love to ride. Upcoming work days will be posted on the CORBA calendar so check the calendar and stay tuned!
By: Louisa Bonnie
Mandeville Fire Road Maintenance begins July 25
Tuesday, July 5th, 2011CORBA has received notification that on July 26, 2011 the LAFD Wildland Fuel Management Unit is projecting to begin maintenance on West Mandeville, Upper East and Lower East Mandeville Fire Breaks and Fire Roads in the Santa Monica Mountains, in that order. They will start bringing equipment in on Monday July 25, 2011.
A call to the LAFD confirmed that the fire roads and trails in the area will not be closed during the maintenance, but riders and hikers are urged to use caution in the area and follow the instructions of the workers in the area. There will be signs posted alerting trail users of the work ahead.
The maintenance work is expected to continue for about two weeks, and should be complete by mid-August.
July Skills Clinic Photos
Saturday, July 2nd, 2011We had 34 participants today in today’s basic skills clinic at Malibu Creek State Park with clear and warm (to hot) weather. With so many riders, we have a lot of photos in the July Skills Clinic Photo Gallery!
Tapia Spur Trail to Undergo Shared-Use Upgrades Starting in September
Thursday, June 30th, 2011State Parks has announced that the multi-use Tapia Spur Trail in Malibu Creek State Park/Tapia Park will undergo several changes to address the trail’s ability to sustain shared use by hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers. The work is tentatively set to begin in September of 2011.
According to State Parks’ Tapia Spur Trail project description (Tapia Spur Trail Muli-Use Work Project Report – PDF), dated April 12, 2011, Tapia Spur Trail lacks a variety of components necessary to adequately accommodate multi-use moving forward based on new multi-use guidelines, and therefore intends to implement several multi-use components that will bring the trail up to current multi-use guidelines. These components include brushing (which has already begun), improved drainage and increased tread width, speed control sections in areas lacking sight distance, and realignment of one stretch of trail to increase sight distance and redirect the trail off the fall line.
Of particular interest to CORBA are the components of “sinuosity” (the trail weaving in and out of the topography to create a curvy alignment) and “pinch points” (placement of items such as rocks or logs that create a perceived narrow point in the trail corridor). Both of these components have been used in other areas with good results; that of slowing the mountain biker while maintaining an enjoyable experience for the cyclist, hiker, and equestrian. As I have previously stated, slowing down around other trail users can virtually eliminate the complaints by those who say that mountain bikes are dangerous because they go too fast. While most cyclists are in control of their bikes when passing other trail users, the perception of speed–even a few miles per hour–can reduce or even spoil another user’s trail experience, including other mountain bikers. We’re all out there for the same reason, to enjoy nature. Treating others with respect is part of that enjoyment.
CORBA is encouraged by this upgrade project as it will allow State Parks to work more closely with the trail user community in implementing shared use concepts and guidelines. Tapia Spur Trail can become a showcase of proper multi-use practices, and with the assistance and cooperation of the mountain bike community, we can potentially have a comprehensive example of multi-use guideline implementation. CORBA has been assured that mountain bikers will be considered in every step of component implementation on this important trail link from Malibu Creek State Park to Tapia Park.
I’d like to take this opportunity to remind the mountain bike community that CORBA’s funding and volunteer needs are ongoing. Trail work volunteers are still needed, as well as funding for CORBA Trail Crew tools and other supplies. Just recently State Parks released a comprehensive trail crew leader training schedule, and in addition to trail workers, we also need those interested in becoming trained and certified as trail crew leaders. Training starts July 7 so we need volunteers immediately. To contact CORBA, email advocacy@corbamtb.com, and go to our Join/Donate page to to help support CORBA’s efforts.
Station Fire Recovery Efforts Covered in Mountain Bike Magazine
Friday, June 25th, 2010The Station fire has been a devastat
ing blow to outdoor recreation throughout Southern California. CORBA’s Steve Messer was recently interviewed by Mountain Bike Magazine about the extensive damage and impact to the trails, and pondered on how the recovery efforts might proceed.
Messer was probably the last person to ride Sam Merrill, Sunset Ridge and El Prieto trails before the fire swept through the area. Ironically, he was on his way with CORBA’s trail crew to do some trail repair work on Sunset Ridge trail as the fire broke out.
It’s clear that the recovery will take many years. At present it is too early in the process to speculate on when the forest and severely damaged trails may re-open. The Mountain Bike magazine story does a nice job of laying out the challenges and opportunities, and showing how CORBA, the Mount Wilson Bicycling Association and others might be called to action going forward.
The full article is available as PDF document.
Mugu State Lifeguards to hold blood drive July 6
Thursday, June 30th, 2011The Mugu State Lifeguards are holding the annual blood drive on Wednesday, July 6 from 1400 to 2000 hours. I’d like to invite each of you to come out and participate. This is a great opportunity to work together for a very good cause. All employees, volunteers, families, and friends are welcome. Feel free to call Lifeguard Dispatch at 310 457 4665 to schedule an appointment or show up at the Covehouse.
Tony Hoffman
Filming Coordinator
California State Parks-Angeles District
National Park Service-Santa Monica Mountains
818 880 0358 Desk
818 880 0383 Fax
Federal Judge Orders Species Protection in the ANF
Thursday, June 30th, 2011This week on June 28, 2011, U.S. District Court judge Marilyn Hall Patel ordered the U.S. National Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and the National Marine Fisheries Service to take “all necessary measures” to better protect 40 endangered species. The order specifically covers the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres and San Bernadino National Forests in Southern California.
The agencies have been given six months to develop a long-term strategy to protect 40 endangered species. The order came as a result of a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity, who claimed the Forest Management Plans for the respective forests failed to provide adequate protection for these endangered species. The species include the Santa Ana Sucker, the Arroyo toad, the California Gnatcatcher and the California Condor, among others.
Recently hopes had been raised for the opening of the Williamson Rock closure which has been in effect since 2005 to protect the Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog. That is now highly unlikely and construction that was taking place in the area has been halted. There are less than 200 known individuals of this species left in a few select pockets in the San Gabriel mountains. The Williamson Rock closure affects Hikers, and has shut off access to climbers who regard the rock as one of the premier sport climbing destinations in Southern California.
CORBA will work with the Forest Service to determine which trails in the San Gabriel Mountains, if any, may be affected by this federal court order.
Sunset Ridge Trailwork
Monday, June 6th, 2011
On Saturday June 4th, CORBA volunteers worked with Mount Wilson Bicycling Association to restore the Lower Sunset Ridge trail. The one-mile trail runs between Millard Campground and the Mt. Lowe Fire Road. This portion of the National Forest had just been opened a few weeks prior, and the trail was in relatively good shape, but severely overgrown in places.
The original plan was to split into two crews and tackle both the Lower Sunset Ridge and brushing on the Sunset Ridge trail. It was a disappointingly low turnout, with only five people coming out to give back to the trails. However, the five who came out were all experienced trailworkers, and we were able to get the entire trail brushed. That includes all the poison oak. We also rebuilt a basket that supports the trail through a drainage, carrying several tons of rock by hand to fill the void in the trail and restore the tread.
Mount Wilson Bicycling Association had done a previous day of work on State Trails day, repairing another problem drainage along this trail. We’re happy to see the MWBA getting more active once again, and look forward to working with them on future trailwork days.
Thanks to Mitch Marich of the Mount Wilson Bicycle Association, Angeles Mountain Patrol and intrepid trailwork volunteers Mike and Robin McGuire for all your sweat.
More before and after pictures after the break.
