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CANCELLED: Guadalasca Trailwork April 14

Tuesday, March 20th, 2012

Saturday April 14, 2012 – Saturday April 14, 2012

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Riding up Guadalasca in Pt Mugu State Park

Because the rain on Friday will make the trails too muddy and slippery, this workday is cancelled.

 

The Guadalasca Trail in Point Mugu State Park will undergo some substantial improvements over the next year or so. We have already cleared brush out of the lower section to allow access for motorized equipment. State Parks staff is going to remove the existing culvert drains and convert them to level crossings.

On April 14, we will work down from the top, cutting  back the largest plants from the edge of the trail.

Later, part of the newer section of the trail will be rerouted and in the process will add 1/4 to 1/2 mile to its length. Some of the existing switchbacks could be converted to climbing turns, and rolling dips will be added to help control erosion. Using IMBA-influenced designs, sinuosity and pinch points will be incorporated into the trail to reduce downhill travel speeds. This will help reduce conflicts with other trail users, including climbing mountain bikers. See our full blog article for more details on the work to be done…

CSP has asked CORBA and other organizations to recruit volunteers to help with this work. This is the third scheduled event to clean up Guadalasca (the second event on March 17 was cancelled due to rain).

Remember, by registering here to help out, CORBA will treat you to lunch afterwards, and enter you in the drawing for mountain biking prizes!

Be sure to wear suitable clothing (sturdy shoes, long pants and sleeves, hat, golves) and bring snacks, sunscreen and water. CORBA will provide the tools and training.

Meet at the corner of Wendy and Potrero in Newbury Park at 8:30. We will carpool/caravan from there to the top of Guadalasca Trail.

Directions: From the 101 Freeway in Newbury Park, take Wendy Drive south to the end of the road at Potrero Road.

Map: http://bit.ly/zg3ht2

Register

Posted in Rides and Events, Santa Monica Mountains, Trail Building and Restoration, Trail Crew | Comments Closed

CANCELLED: Upcoming Guadalasca Trailwork on March 17th

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

Due to the forecast of rain, the March 17th trailwork event is cancelled. Instead, please come to the COSCA srping trailwork day next Saturday, March 24, and help us build a new trail in Wildwood Park! See details and registration form.

On Saturday, March 17th at 8:30 am, we will continue making major improvements to the Guadalasca Trail in Point Mugu State Park that will take place over the next year or so. First, the lower section (part of  the old ranch road), will be brushed out to temporarily widen it. This will allow access for motorized equipment that State Parks staff will use to remove the existing culvert drains and convert them to level crossings. Also, the trail will be moved to the outside (downhill side) of the trail and outsloped to allow for better drainage, lowering the need for future maintenance so we will be able to spend more time riding and less doing trailwork.

The lower section of Guadalasca where we'll be working March 17th

You can read about the rest of the planned improvements for this trail in our earlier blog post.

During our February 25th trailwork, we had 22 mountain bikers and about 8 others working on the lower section of the trail, and we cleared brush over about 3/4 of the lower section of the trail. You can read the summary on our blog. On March 17th, we will work on the remainder of the lower section and then continue through the stream crossing and up the newer part of the trail, as time allows.

Some volunteers have already signed up with our on-line registration form, but we need many more to get this work completed!

View our trailwork page to learn more about trailwork, what you should wear to protect yourself from dust and scratches, and what you should bring along. CORBA will provide the tools and training on how to use them safely. The on-line registration page lists the details of when and where to meet.

Remember, by registering here to help out, CORBA will treat you to lunch afterwards, and enter you in the drawing for mountain biking prizes!

This trailwork day is a joint effort with the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council trail crew.

We have other trailwork events scheduled for later in the year. Here’s a list of what is currently planned:

April 27-29
State Trails Days in Pt Mugu State Park

April 14
Guadalasca Trail

March 24
COSCA Spring Trailwork Day

Posted in Santa Monica Mountains, Trail Crew | Comments Closed

Skills Clinic Photos for March 3, 2012

Saturday, March 3rd, 2012

Twenty-three riders came out to enjoy the fabulous weather today at Malibu Creek State Park and participate in this month’s basic skills clinic. There was water in the creek so we have some good splash photos at the end. Some people didn’t make it all the way across and got pretty wet! You can see all the photos in the March Skills Clinic Photo Gallery.

Posted in Free Basic Skills Clinic, Rides and Events, Santa Monica Mountains | Comments Closed

“Hey CORBA, Stop Ruining Our Trails!”

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

By Mark Langton

Does this trail look "ruined"?

Seems like every time there is maintenance on our local trails, we hear from some very passionate people within the mountain bike community: “Leave the trails the way they are!” Along with this we also get the usual “How can CORBA do this?” A recent comment even alleged that CORBA is trying to take away our freedoms by doing trail work; “CORBA is conspiring with the State to ruin a beautiful single track trail—The Guadalasca.” As I and several others said in recent blog responses, trails are dynamic, they need maintenance every so often. CORBA doesn’t decide what work needs to be done, but agrees that it does and feels that we should participate as advocates of shared open space trails.

Many times people making these comments start off by saying “I have been riding these trails for several years…” If that were true, then they’d know that trails return to a more natural, “challenging” appearance after any kind of trail work. The Sulphur Springs Trail in Cheeseboro Canyon and Solstice Canyon Trail section of the Backbone Trail are two such trails that come to mind. Both were widened and smoothed over, and many people said they’d be “ruined.” Look at them now; they are as challenging and natural—and fun—as ever.

I’ll admit, I am not always in favor of trails becoming less challenging, but at the same time, I have to balance it with the fact that I can ride the trail in the first place. Guadalasca (and other sections of the Backbone Trail) is open to bicycles thanks to the advocacy efforts of CORBA. Some people might say that even if it were closed, they’d ride it. That’s your personal choice, but I’d like to think that as someone who enjoys the open space, you’d like to do it without the cloud of breaking the rules hanging over your head. Just because you can break the rules, it doesn’t mean you should.

Here’s an analogy I came up with while out riding (always good therapy): Let’s say the agency that maintains the street you live on proclaimed that, due to budgetary constraints, they would only be able to do limited maintenance on the street. The street and sewer system falls into disrepair, so you and your neighbors put together a volunteer group to help the agency; you get trained in road and sewer repair, and enlist other neighbors to help. Still, the street becomes riddled with potholes and cracks because the agency just can’t afford the materials and equipment to do the repairs. Soon, off-road vehicle owners start using your street to challenge their vehicles’ capabilities because there’s nowhere else nearby they can do it, which make the street conditions worse. Not to mention these vehicles can go much faster than the passenger cars most of you and your neighbors are driving, making it unsafe for you and your neighbors to even drive down the street. You caution the off-roaders that they shouldn’t drive their vehicles on your street, especially at high speeds, because it is creating an unsafe situation, but they still do because “it’s public and they have a right to drive there. And besides, we’re not going that fast.” Finally, after several years, you and the agency start making repairs, but the off-roaders keep coming and start complaining that you are ruining their fun zone. They come to your volunteer maintenance days and complain you are making the street too smooth and it’s no fun to drive there. They write letters to you saying you are trying to take away their freedoms. All because you are trying to do the right thing for your community.

Here’s an idea: The next time you think someone is trying to take something away from you in your local riding area, ask yourself, “what can I do to help improve the situation?” That could mean getting more involved with your local community. Or it could mean going someplace where the trails are more challenging, where riding them at higher speeds does not impact the rest of the trail user community. Such places exist, whether it be a race or a bike park like Mammoth Mountain. Our local trails are for shared use by many different types of users, so you’re just going to have to adjust your riding style accordingly. Kind of like on the street when driving your car or motorcycle; you may have a high-performance vehicle, but to drive it to its capabilities on public streets just wouldn’t smart or safe. Just because you can break the rules, it doesn’t mean you should.

 

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Posted in Advocacy, Rides and Events, Santa Monica Mountains, Trail Crew | 2 Comments »

Guadalasca Trail Work Report and Photos for February 25, 2012

Monday, February 27th, 2012

This past Saturday, 22 mountain bikers, eight or so members of the trail crew from the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council (SMMTC) and two California State Parks (CSP) staffers gathered at the bottom of Guadalasca Trail in Point Mugu State Park for a few hours of trailwork.

This was the first of several days of work that have been planned for Guadalasca this spring. We have previously blogged about the overall changes that are coming.

Much of the trail looked like this photo taken a few days before we did our trailwork

Originally we had planned to carpool down to the trailhead from the meeting point at the south end of Wendy Drive in Newbury Park, but the fantastic turnout of mountain bikers meant there would be too many cars to park at the limited area on Wood Canyon at the bottom of the trail. Instead, we caravanned to the Danielson Multiuse area where there’s lot of parking, then jammed into three trucks and vans after transfering the tools to the Gator utility vehicle. From there we slowly drove to the trailhead.

The work for the day was to clear the brush from the downslope side (outside) of the trail along as much of the old ranch road section of the trail as we could. The CSP standard for multiuse trails is that the trail corridor should be clear of brush for 8′ of width and 10′ of height. Even though the trail will evenutally end up being only 1 – 3′ wide, the extra width at the side provides better sight distances so trail users can see others approaching from further away. Also, it takes several years for the brush to clog the trail again, so we don’t have to clear it out every year. For this trail, there are other reasons to widen its corridor, presented here in near- to long-term order:

  • It allows access for the Gator to carry tools up for us on future trailwork days
  • The two seasonal streams that this trail crosses near the bottom currently are drained through partially blocked and damaged culverts. The culverts will be removed and replaced by level crossings. The wider trails will provide access to the excavating equipment that will be required for this
  • Most importantly, the long-term objective is to move the trail to outside edge of this old road bed, and clearing the brush on the downslope side will make the room for it. When the trail is closer to the downslope side, it will be easier to shape so the rainwater runs off, thus reducing the amount of maintanence it requires to fix the ruts

Volunteers clear brush on the downslope side of the trail to make room for the trail to be moved to the outside of the old road bed. Once moved, brush will be allowed to regrow on the upslope side, narrowing the trail corridor again

As we were working, about 15 – 20 mountain bikers passed us. With one notable exception, they all thanked us for helping to keep the trail in great shape for riding.

With less than four hours of work, plus breaks and travel time, we cleared out the bottom 0.6 miles of the trail, about 3/4 of this section. CSP staff brought a chain saw and the SMMTC crew brought a power hedge trimmer. Both these tool greatly sped up the work and allowed us to clear much more than we would have been able to otherwise. The hedge trimmer was also a great help in cutting out the poison oak that was starting to regrow in several places.

A little after 1:00 pm, we headed down the trail to shuttle and caravan out. Back at the cars, we had the prize drawing, then drove down to a new barbecue joint a mile or so away. I think everyone agreed it was a great place to eat, and not as expensive as other similar places.

We have another event scheduled for March 17th to continue clearing the brush on the old ranch road, and beyond if we have time. Work should go much faster because most of the brush at the top end of this section is low chaparral, rather than tall chaparral and trees. If you would like to help out, please use our online form to register in advance.

Take a look at our photo gallery of Saturday’s trailwork!

 

Posted in Santa Monica Mountains, Trail Crew | Comments Closed

Save the Date: California Trails & Greenways Conference, April 18-20, 2012

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

The California Trails & Greenways Conference is

Coming to Los Angeles!!!

Excitement is building as California State Parks and its trail allies prepare for the 27th California Trails & GreenwaysConference taking place April 18 to 20 at the Woodland Hills Marriott.

Conference registration is scheduled to open February 22nd. For the registration link and further details about the 2012 California Trails & Greenways Conference, including sponsor, exhibit and raffle donation information log onto our website at www.parks.ca.gov/trails/conference or call 877.776.3619.

The California Trails & Greenways Conference is a forum for networking and building support for accessible, inter-connected, quality trail systems; and a venue for trail professionals and advocates to learn practical, up-to-date, trail skills.  This endeavor by California State Parks and the California Trails Conference Foundation helps ensure effective trail stewardship and leadership for generations to come.

The California Trails & Greenways Conference provides opportunities to:

  • Network with, and talk directly to, California’s leading trail experts
  • Find collaborative partners to build support for trail endeavors
  • Learn a full range of trail topics in high quality, innovative sessions
  • Experience hands-on learning through day-long field workshops
  • Address your specific concerns through our table topic sessions
  • Explore exhibits featuring innovative trail-related products and services

All activities are designed to increase the knowledge of trail, recreation and wild land management professionals and advocates, both novice and expert, in order to improve non-motorized, recreational and heritage trail systems and programs throughout California.

Day-long workshops, 27 concurrent sessions, keynote presentations and exhibits all serve to draw California’s leading trail designers, builders and managers to this 3-day event.  The theme for the 2012 Conference is “Navigating Radical Change — The New Normal.” With attendance expected to reach 500, we anticipate the theme will elicit stimulating and creative discussions that will generate new ideas and partnerships.

We live in a tumultuous time, unprecedented in many respects. Believing that “knowledge is power,” the 2012 California Trails & Greenways Conference will explore the multiple challenges facing trails and public lands, what’s known about the trends affecting those challenges, and how to pursue creative solutions while preserving the integrity of the resources we hold dear. We’ll also explore innovative approaches and new collaborations that may inspire your own new solutions for navigating the path ahead.

 

The preliminary schedule for this 3-day event is as follows:

  • ·        April 18th, Wednesday

o       Optional day-long workshops

o       Exhibits open at 4:00 p.m.

o       Opening reception, dinner, keynote presentation

  • ·        April 19th, Thursday

o       Concurrent sessions throughout the day (5 sets)

o       Awards & Remembrance Luncheon

o       Celebration reception, dinner, keynote presentation

  • ·        April 20th, Friday

o       Breakfast with Table Topic Discussions

o       Concurrent sessions (2 sets)

o       Closing plenary

o       Conference ends at 1:00 p.m.

Planning is also underway for the 3rd Annual Hike, Bike, Ride, Run Event taking place Saturday, April 21st. This post-conference outing and BBQ is a wonderful way for all trail users to come together to show that we can share our trails and all get along. Conference attendees and friends are invited. Reservation and other details will be posted on the conference website March 1.

For further details about the 2012 California Trails & Greenways Conference, including sponsor, exhibit and raffle donation information log onto our website at www.parks.ca.gov/trails/conference or call Lauralee at 877.776.3619 or541.547.3640.

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Posted in California, CORBA News, Environment, Media, Santa Monica Mountains | Comments Closed

Stellar Weather Graces First Two CORBA Kids Rides of 2012

Friday, February 17th, 2012

The CORBA Kids Club started the New Year off right with a return to Sullivan Canyon in January and a Malibu Creek Park ride in February.

January’s Sullivan Canyon ride saw the kids improving their skills, with everybody riding over the cement waffle blocks that most of them walked in December.

The downed tree still blocked most of the main trail, and we used this as an opportunity for a snack break before heading back to the cars. Everybody showed great improvement on the hills. Five adults and six kids participated.  Check out the pictures from this great ride.

The CORBA Kids Club explored the Grasslands Trail during February’s Malibu Creek State Park ride. Dave taught the kids how to do a break-check on their bikes, discussed proper helmet fit, and how to handle horses on the trail. The morning started out cold, but everybody was pealing off layers by the time we hit some of the big hills. The skies were clear, the air was fresh, and it was a perfect day for a ride. We had the single-track route pretty much to ourselves until we came across a large group of MBU trainees on our way back.

There was a very challenging hill before our first break, and most everybody walked up, but two of the kids went down it twice. We also did some hiking sans bikes, all of which you can see on the photo gallery for this ride. Four adults and four kids, including two first-timers, participated. There is a lot more to explore in Malibu Creek State Park, so we will be back there in March.

Hope to see you at the next ride:
Saturday March 3 in Malibu Creek State Park.  Meet at 9 a.m. in the lower parking lot near the wooden stairs. Email kidsclub@corbamtb.com for more information.

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Posted in Los Angeles, Rides and Events, Santa Monica Mountains, Youth | Comments Closed

Guadalasca Trailwork in Pt. Mugu State Park on Feb 25th

Thursday, February 16th, 2012

The lower section of Guadalasca where we'll be working Feb 25th

On Saturday, February 25th at 8:30 am, we will start on major improvements to the Guadalasca Trail in Point Mugu State Park that will take place over the next year or so. First, the lower section (part of  the old ranch road), will be brushed out to temporarily widen it. This will allow access for motorized equipment that State Parks staff will use to remove the existing culvert drains and convert them to level crossings. Also, the trail will be moved to the outside (downhill side) of the trail and outsloped to allow for better drainage, lowering the need for future maintenance so we will be able to spend more time riding and less doing trailwork.

You can read about the rest of the planned improvements for this trail in our earlier blog post.

Some volunteers have already signed up with our on-line registration form, but we need many more to get this work completed!

View our trailwork page to learn more about trailwork, what you should wear to protect yourself from dust and scratches, and what you should bring along. CORBA will provide the tools and training on how to use them safely. The on-line registration page lists the details of when and where to meet.

Remember, by registering here to help out, CORBA will treat you to lunch afterwards, and enter you in the drawing for mountain biking prizes!

This trailwork day is a joint effort with the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council trail crew.

We have other trailwork events scheduled for later in the year. Here’s a list of what is currently planned:

April 27-29
State Trails Days in Pt Mugu State Park

April 14
Guadalasca Trail

March 24
COSCA Spring Trailwork Day

March 17
Guadalasca Trail

(You can get more information on these events by clicking on the date.)

Posted in Santa Monica Mountains, Trail Crew | Comments Closed

State Parks Upgrading Tapia Spur Trail

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012
Stakeholders from several groups inspect the upgrades

Stakeholders from several groups inspect the upgrades

On February 14, 2012, CORBA board member Steve Messer met with State Parks officials and representatives from hiking, conservation and equestrian groups. Together they walked the Tapia Spur trail which was slated for upgrades meet multiple use standards last year. The trail remains open to the public, though the work is well underway.

Originally constructed in the mid nineties, since being opened to multiple use there have been some reports of user conflicts, mostly due to excessive speed of bicycles. This was exacerbated by poor sight lines with blind corners and switchbacks.  One of the significant trail upgrades is a reroute that will eliminate four switchbacks. The new section is still being machine cut, and like the rest of the trail, will be extensively hand-finished.

The entire trail is being re-cut to a 5′ width with a Sweco. Visibility is being improved on many sections by cutting back brush and, where appropriate, cutting back the backslope. The entire trail is being outsloped for improved drainage and to reduce long term maintenance needs.

The most significant change is the inclusion of approximately 17 “pinch points.”  These consist of large 500 pound-plus rocks at least 18″ high strategically placed on the uphill side of blind corners. They will be embedded into the tread and placed about 36″ apart, in such a manner as to require a bicycle to weave between them. This will slow down cyclists at the spots with the most potential for startling of other trail users. These features are a key component of IMBA’s recommended speed control measures. They can add challenge and fun to a trail for cyclists, while allowing horses, hikers and personal mobility devices to pass easily. But most importantly, they improve the overall safety of the trail.

Flags show approximate locations of pinch point rocks

Flags show approximate locations of pinch point rocks

Another feature being added at key locations on the trail are rock-armored swales. The rock armoring leaves a rough tread while also protecting the natural drain from erosion by water or trail users. The rough tread is also expected to slow cyclists and add interest and challenge to the trail. Rocks were being imported from Malibu Canyon to create the pinch points, and harvested locally for the rock-armoring and rip-rap. The heavy rocks were being brought up the trail on mechanized carriers.

According to Knapp, “these features will slow cyclists and reduce the potential for them startling other trail users. We hope that good trail etiquette will then kick in and reduce conflict. However,” he continued, “we can’t control attitude or behavior.”  We concur, and will continue encouraging proper etiquette through our outreach and education efforts, including our free Mountain Bike Skills Clinics.

Knapp also commented on the mission of the State Park to protect the natural resource. “Trails are there for people to enjoy the resource,” he said, “not for thrillseeking.”  He talked about the fact that they must adapt to the changing trail user demographic, while keeping within their mission. These multi-use standards and the objective Change In Use process are a part of that adaptation to accommodate the growing number of off-road cyclists.

Everyone present seemed pleased with the trail improvements. “I like what I see,” remarked one of the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council representatives “we’ll just need to give it a chance.”

Tapia Spur Re-Route being cut

Tapia Spur Re-Route being cut

The trail improvements are not inexpensive, and funds are being funneled to this project from Sacramento. The State’s new Change In Use procedures will hinge upon their ability to implement these design standards on trails that are candidates for a change to multi-use, but currently closed to bikes. CORBA has a long-standing list of requests for trail Change In Use in the Santa Monica Mountains. While Tapia Spur was already designated multi-use, the upgrades will hopefully allay the concerns of the trail community at large about the pending changes to Lookout and Yearling trails. These two trails have been recommended for a change in use, and could be the next to receive such a treatment.

The trail will be showcased at the upcoming Parks Conference and the Trails and Greenways Conference. The work is expected to be completed by the first week of April. L.A. County is considering implementing a similar trail review process for County trails in the Fifth District. Overall, we believe improvements will not negatively impact the user experience for cyclists, and by reducing conflicts, they will in fact enhance the experience for all users.

 

 

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Posted in Santa Monica Mountains, Trail Access | Comments Closed

February 4th 2012 Skills Clinic Photos

Sunday, February 5th, 2012

We had a good-sized class today with 25 participants in this month’s basic skills clinic at Malibu Creek State Park. The cooler months are a good time to take the class because the lower attendence means you get more attention, and today the weather was perfect for riding! The pool of water in the creek was pretty deep again this month so we had some good splashes. You can see all the photos in the February Skills Clinic Photo Gallery.

Posted in Free Basic Skills Clinic, Santa Monica Mountains | Comments Closed

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