|
Gradual Loss of Hiking Trails
updated: May 31, 2012, 10:00 AM
Source: Los Padres ForestWatch
Coinciding with the 20th Anniversary of National Trails Day, Los Padres ForestWatch today
released a report documenting the gradual loss of public access to several hiking trails leading into the Los Padres
National Forest.
The report - titled Ten Lost Trails of the Los Padres - highlights ten trails across the Los
Padres National Forest where historic public access has been restricted. Over time, as the forest's neighboring land
ownership changes, trailheads have been blocked off by gates and "no trespassing" signs, restricting the public's access
to public lands and funneling an increasing number of forest users onto a dwindling trail system. These trails have been
used historically (in some instances, stretching back to the 1920s or earlier), and under California law the public has
a right to continue to access these trails if there is sufficient evidence to prove the existence of historic use.
ForestWatch's report shares some success stories of trail access restored, some stories of cautious hope as community
groups work to save the trails they love, and some stories of tenuous situations where access and trails are on the
brink of being lost forever.
THE TRAILS:
• Middle Fork Matilija Trail, Ojai: A coalition of concerned citizens is working
with the Forest Service to preserve access to Matilija Falls that has been enjoyed by the public for more than 80 years.
• Santa Paula Peak Trail, Santa Paula: A gate mere yards off of Highway 126 now
restricts access to the Santa Paula Peak trailhead, shutting out the public from this scenic nine mile hike to the
summit.
• Agua Blanca and Pothole Trails, Piru: A local water district charges an access
fee of up to $13 per day for forest users to park their cars in lots four miles from the trailheads.
• Hot Springs Trail, Montecito: A success story of preserved access-a local land
trust recently purchased land surrounding the Hot Springs Trail and will hand over ownership to the U.S. Forest Service
for public enjoyment in perpetuity.
• Franklin Trail, Carpinteria: A success story of restored access-through
collaboration between community groups, the County of Santa Barbara, and private landowners, the historic Franklin Trail
is being re-established into the Los Padres National Forest backcountry.
• Rocky Ridge and Bull Ridge Trails, Cuyama Valley: These trails, visible on Forest
Service maps as far back as the 1930s, access remarkable rock outcrops in Lion Canyon, grassy meadows atop Sierra Madre
Ridge, and hidden Native American cultural sites. Access has been lost due to a locked gate on Perkins Road off Highway
166.
• Alamo Creek and Beartrap Trails, Lockwood Valley: These trails, visible on Forest
Service maps from the 1930s and 40s as well as described in old hiking guides, have been lost due to restricted access
at their trailheads. With decreased use, the trails have become overgrown, and public access to this corner of the Sespe
Wilderness has been diminished.
• Stony Creek Trail, Arroyo Grande: This trail, and the Stony Creek and Agua
Escondido Campgrounds, have been lost as a private landowner gated access on Huasna Road out of Arroyo Grande. Included
in a published collection of scenic byways in 2004, this portion of Huasna Road is no longer even passable.
• DeAngulo Trail, Big Sur: A success story of preserved access-an eccentric
character of Big Sur in the 1950s who willed his property for public use as long as it was maintained-volunteers have
been caring for the trail ever since.
• Little Sur Trail, Big Sur: A tenuous situation where users of a historic trail
are encountering threatening signs and access rules imposed by private landowners with property adjacent to the national
forest.
"These trails are part of our heritage, and access to the national forest is a right recognized
under state law," stated ForestWatch Conservation Coordinator, Suzanne Feldman. "This report only touches on the
problem of compounding loss of access to public lands; there are plenty of more trails we could be talking about and
plenty of ways for the public to get involved."
LEARN MORE: Download the report at www.LPFW.org and while there sign up for a half-day of
service volunteering with ForestWatch to clean up microtrash (bits of trash that are harmful to the critically
endangered California condor) on National Trails Day, Saturday, June 2. Details at www.LPFW.org/index.php/calendar
20 comments on this article. Read/Add
# # # #
|
