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

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

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

LA County Trail Assessment Public Meeting

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

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

9th District Court Rules against the Forest Adventure Pass

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

State Parks Upgrading Tapia Spur Trail

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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Packed House asks for a bike park at the Lang Ranch Community Park

February 12th, 2012
Parks officials show the abandoned plan

Parks officials show the abandoned plan

On Wednesday evening, February 8, 2012, a packed house was far more than the Conejo Recreation and Parks District was expecting. But they were very pleased with the turnout, and encouraged to see so many local residents take an interest in the future of this large, but undeveloped park.

The Lang Ranch Community Park appears on the District’s Master Plan and has already had its own master plan drawn up. The plan included numerous wonderful improvements, but the reports of geologically unstable ground made the cost of implementing this plan beyond feasible. The cost of stabilizing the park’s sloping hillsides–a necessary step before any improvements could be made–proved prohibitive. The plan had to be retired and a new one envisaged.

A packed house of more than 90 participants

A packed house of more than 90 participants

This meeting was to gain public input on what could be done with the park without major construction, without digging, without the need for water. After this history and the given parameters the attendees were divided up into nine groups, each to discuss what they’d like to see in the park. A facilitator from the parks department took notes on easel boards, listing the table’s priorities. Each group then assigned a spokesperson to summarize the groups wishlist.

A common theme among all the groups was the call for a pump track/bike park/dirt jumps and trails. This was probably helped by the last minute efforts of local bike park advocates putting out the word through facebook and other social outlets.  It was referred to as a Bike Skills Park, a Pump Track, a Dirt Jump Park, a Mountain Bike park, but the common thread was there: a facility for off-road bicycles.

Also high on the suggestion list were trails, connectivity to Conejo Open Space trails, off-leash dog park, radio-controlled car and plane facility, landscaping with native plants, disc golf, playground facilities, picnic benches, bathrooms at the one place in the park that was deemed suitable for construction, through-trails/bike paths to connect students at the neighboring residential areas to the school at the western end of the park, and many other options. The parks staff were notably pleased with the input.

Facilitators seek public input from each table

Facilitators seek public input from each table

Subsequently, on Saturday February 11, a second meeting took place during which interested parties walked the park property with parks staff to discuss the possibilities. While fewer people attended this, some key proponents of a bike skills park were there to ensure the City continued to hear of the desire for a bike park facility.

Over the coming weeks and months the parks department will be distilling the key requests from the public into an updated vision for this Community Park and inviting more feedback.

The next meeting is on February 29, 2012, 7 – 9 pm at the Hillcrest Center Community Room, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360. This meeting is listed as a “Brainstorming and Bubble Diagram” event. The public will be asked to put their ideas on maps of the park property.

On March 21, 2012, also 7 – 9 pm at the Hillcrest Center Community Room,  CRPD will be reporting back to the public on what they’ve garnered from the public’s input, and their recommendations. There may be additional meetings so stay tuned for further announcements.  If you are unable to attend the meeting, you can email your input to parks@crpd.org.

Presenting his table's ideas for a bike park

Presenting his table's ideas for a bike park

We’re especially pleased that the Conejo Recreation and Parks Department is reaching out to the public, and engaging people directly in this early stage of the planning process. While a Conejo Bike Park is not yet a done deal, it seems that the idea is alive and well and has a good chance of becoming reality. We urge people to stay involved in the process and keep pushing for a bike park. Opportunities like this don’t come very often, especially right here in our own back yards… or city parks. For more information, follow the progress on facebook and at the parks department web site, www.crpd.org.

 

 

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Posted in Advocacy, Bike Skills Park, Conejo Valley, Youth | Comments Closed

February 4th 2012 Skills Clinic Photos

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

Press for a Pump Track in Thousand Oaks at February 8th Meeting

February 2nd, 2012

If you live in the Conejo Valley or a nearby community, please attend a meeting to be held by the Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD) and press for a pump track and bike park to be included in the plans for the Lang Ranch Community Park.

On Wednesday, February 8th, CRPD will have a meeting to get public input into recreational activities they would like to see included in the Lang Ranch Community Park and other parks in Zone 2, roughly north of Hillcrest Drive and east of the 23 Freeway.

Two weeks ago we learned that CRPD has scrapped their plans for baseball fields and tennis courts on the 124-acre property bordered by Westlake Blvd, Erbes Rd and Aveninda de Los Arboles. An ancient landslide at the site makes it unfeasible to economically grade the land to safely accomodate playing fields. Instead, CRPD is exploring less intensive uses that won’t require extensive grading.

This is our chance to lobby for a bike park and pump track in a semi-urban area. Our kids and the young-at-heart could use to improve their balance, coordination, upper body strength, and generally have fun! In this age of video games, “sweet/salty snacks” and increasing obesity among our youth, everyone should appreciate a healthful, outdoor activity to engage them.

CRPD has plans for four public meetings:

Meeting 1: Background and Brainstorming
Wednesday Feb 8, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hillcrest Center Community Room
403 W. Hillcrest Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA

Meeting 2 – Walk Lang Ranch Community Park Property with District Staff
Saturday, Feb 11, 7:30 am – 9:00 am

Meeting 3 – More Brainstorming & Bubble Diagrams
Wednesday Feb 29, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hillcrest Center Community Room

Meeting 4 – Report Back and Recommendations
Wednesday March 21, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hillcrest Center Community Center

Directions to the Hillcrest Community Center. From the 101 Freeway in Thousand Oaks, exit at Lynn Road, turning north, then turn right onto Hillcrest Drive. After 0.3 miles, turn left onto McCloud Ave, then turn right immediately at the sign for the National Park Service and Conejo Recreation and Park District. At the stop sign at the top of the drive, turn left and drive the short distance to #403, on the left.  Google Map and Directions

Posted in Conejo Valley, Youth | Comments Closed

Trailwork Report: El Prieto Trail, January 2012

February 2nd, 2012

Keenen (front and center) and part of the Day 2 crewAlmost eight months ago, the CORBA was approached by Keenan Koch, a student at St. Francis high school in La Canada, a member of the school’s mountain bike race team, and an eagle scout candidate with troop 355. He wanted to work on El Prieto for his eagle scout project, the closest singletrack to his school. After consulting with Banner Moffat from the Friends of El Prieto and CORBA over the ensuing months, a plan was developed and submitted to the Forest Service.

The section of trail in question was “built” by users blazing their way down the canyon after the Station Fire and subsequent floods ravaged and destroyed the trail.  The original trail through this section was completely obliterated. The resulting user-made trail was on the edge of a cliff that was getting undercut by the stream and was gradually narrowing. It was a hazardous section of trail where several people have reportedly gone over the edge and crashed. It was too narrow and unstable for equestrians, and nerve-wracking for anyone concerned with heights or exposure.

With Forest Service and Boy Scout Council approval, Keenan rallied his St. Francis and San Gabriel Valley Composite mountain bike team mates, fellow scouts, and a few willing parents to come out and rebuild this section of trail.  The trail was flagged out by Banner Moffat and after two days of prep work by him and Steve Messer of CORBA, was ready for the project.

The newly built section of trail, passing between two trees.Initially planned for the weekend of January 21/22, rain forced a cancelation for the work on Saturday. In reality it was a blessing as the dampened earth was much better to work with on Sunday. Crews re-cut the bench away from the cliff edge, filled three substantial drainages with rock supporting walls and rock armoring, and built up rock supporting walls either side of a “split tree,” through which the trail would pass. With 19 volunteers this section of trail, about 45 yards, was restored. An intrepid crew of four stayed on an extra two hours beyond the finish time to ensure the rebuilt section was completely passable for all trail users.

During the course of the work, two generous mountain bikers made on-the-spot cash donations to CORBA’s trail crew fund (and who still need to email Steve for receipts), a sure token of the appreciation all trail users have for the work we are doing. One regular El Prieto hiker has made similar on the spot donations in the past, and came through very much appreciative of how the funds have been applied (new tools and rock slings for the trail crew and for Friends of El Prieto).

 

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Posted in High School League, San Gabriel Mountains, Trail Crew | Comments Closed

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