Parking tickets on Modjeska Grade

[kioti]

The Sheriff's Department has started ticketing illegally parked vehicles on Modjeska Grade Road, near the STT gate.

I saw a Deputy Sheriff up there a week ago, and asked him what was going on. He said he was handing out warnings to let people know they were parking illegally (near the top and on the right side of the road.

I told him how popular the trail is for bicyclists, hikers, runners and even dog walkers, and that its especially crowded because of all the rain closures in the parks. I also pointed out that there is a huge ditch in the 'legal' parking area, and asked if he could notify Public Works. He said that he would, and I thanked him and headed up the trail.

When I got home, I emailed the County about the issue. I also emailed Supervisor Bill Campbell. My feeling is that the current 'allowed' parking is insufficient to handle demand, and dangerous because of location and lack of signage.

Anyway, I was back up there yesterday and there were 4 vehicles parked illegally, and they all had tickets.

This doesn't directly impact a lot of us because we're parking at Cooks and riding a Luge loop.

But: 1) Where will we park if Cooks stops allowing us to use their parking lot? 2) What about the people doing out-and-backs from the top of the grade? 3) Why shouldn't the people who are parking legally be provided some kind of signage to remind drivers to SLOW DOWN, and 4) Why shouldn't this popular county and national forest trailhead have adequate, safe parking???

[Jordansrealm]

Part of the reason they give tickets is check out car #5. Half the damn car is in the street. I would bet things like this is what brings attn to the police. Typically, it's people who live in the area that complain about things like this. I agree that it sucks and if you get some attn because of your letter be sure to be civil about it and offer solutions. Saying things like "Why don't you offer parking" or "You should allow this" isn't going to make anything happen. It doesn't look like they could offer parking on this road or at the top even if they wanted to. Does it to you? I'd actually prefer people NOT park on this road because it forces us mtn bikers to ride on the pavement more on an already narrow road.

I always park at Cooks or if Cooks is filled up I park in the community up Ridgeline. There is a park up there with ample parking. Unfortunately, it dumps you on the wrong side of the street so you have to either cross through traffic or ride down to the stop sign by cooks and back up.

I fear on this specific road you are fighting a losing battle my friend. Good luck!

[2wheel_lee]

I wish parking all along that road on both sides were illegal and ticketed accordingly.

[sir crashalot]

So is it still legal to park on the right side of the street, up near the top, where the cars in the upper right in the pic are? And so th cars in the foreground are the illegally parked ones? Thanks.

[kioti]

I posted this primarily for riders who are parking up there and doing out-and-backs on the STT, but it goes beyond that.

Lots of people love this trail, and most of them probably ARE mountain bikers. This includes parents hauling kids in trailers, beginners who aren't willing or able to ride the Luge, and better riders who want to ride out a mile or two, or all the way to Old Camp and back, and not have to ride pavement in the process.

Along with them are families out for a weekend stroll, hikers, photographers, dog walkers, trail runners..

I don't see why these people should have to hike all the way up the grade, or park in a dangerous location, to enjoy the STT.

I've asked the County to post a sign at the top of the hill to warn drivers coming up from the Modjeska side, like "Caution-- Pedestrians!" And another near the bottom on the Cook's side to "Share the Road." It doesn't seem too much to ask to avoid a serious accident or fatality.

BTW, the car sticking out into the lane on the downhill side is obviously parked incorrectly, but is doing so to avoid the ditch. (I don't remember seeing a ticket on that vehicle, but it might have had one.) I saw this type of parking two weeks in a row, and its a simple fix with a grader and some dirt.

So is it still legal to park on the right side of the street, up near the top, where the cars in the upper right in the pic are? And so th cars in the foreground are the illegally parked ones? Thanks.

Its illegal to park on the right side, near the top. The cars in the foreground on the left are parked legally, with the exception of the one sticking out onto the roadway.

[2wheel_lee]

With so many trails available that access the hills, why must everyone have close and easy parking to this particular trail?

There are several other trails nearby with parking areas where people can do their out-and-backs.

I don't live in that immediate area, so that's not my concern. I'm only interested in this because I'm a cyclist who rides up Modjeska, and in severaly ways, ALL of the vehicles that park there are a risk to me in one way or another - and I don't care if the owners are hikers or bikers.

[kioti]

With so many trails available that access the hills, why must everyone have close and easy parking to this particular trail?

When it rains, most, if not all, of the County parks close, and demand on the STT increases exponentially. The STT is narrow enough to feel like a trail, but wide enough to allow up and down traffic, so maybe that explains its popularity and importance. Plus, it has immediate and constant views, so people can enjoy the vistas their entire time on the trail.

I don't live in that immediate area, so that's not my concern. I'm only interested in this because I'm a cyclist who rides up Modjeska, and in severaly ways, ALL of the vehicles that park there are a risk to me in one way or another - and I don't care if the owners are hikers or bikers.

I didn't particularly like cars parking on PCH in Huntington Beach when I was road riding, but people love the beach-- so I had to deal with it. Beaches, mountains.. we can't all live there, but we should be allowed to visit.

Plus, if you've ever tried walking up the Grade, you know that's kind of sketchy, too. But pedestrians have a right to enjoy the trail, too.

Of course, we could defer to the locals who would like access on Modjeska Grade limited to "Residents Only." But I imagine their limitation would include bike riders, who "Hog the road and get in the way!"

Seriously, the STT is popular with a wide variety of users, and safer riding and parking conditions can co-exist with a few minor tweaks.

[sasquatch9billion]

I can't see cook's banning mtn. biker parking on it's property. More often than not I'll pop in after a ride for a beer. I imagine it's the same for a lot of us. Also, I don't know if that parking lot on Santiago cyn. road behind it is new or I never noticed it but that looks like a nice spot to park as well.

P.s. I rode there today and also noticed the sheriff's truck rolling by slowly but I didn't see him ticket anyone.

[kioti]

I can't see cook's banning mtn. biker parking on it's property. More often than not I'll pop in after a ride for a beer. I imagine it's the same for a lot of us.

I think its a good idea to patronize Cook's as a thank you for allowing us to park there. Its pretty much a "win/win." I haven't checked their menu lately, but fish tacos and healthy post-ride meals would probably boost sales..

[Revalimage]

I think its a good idea to patronize Cook's as a thank you for allowing us to park there. Its pretty much a "win/win." I haven't checked their menu lately, but fish tacos and healthy post-ride meals would probably boost sales..

Newcastle and cheeseburgers work well too

They have a great breakfast for the early ride crew.

[MohammedInABearSuit]

I think its a good idea to patronize Cook's as a thank you for allowing us to park there. Its pretty much a "win/win." I haven't checked their menu lately, but fish tacos and healthy post-ride meals would probably boost sales..

+1.
where else can you get $15 pitchers of Stella?

[DISCO]

The shoulders of that road are not well equipped to handle the weight of those vehicles, especially when denuded. Perhaps the Deputy is a rock hound and only thinking to protect the road for emergency access. Regardless of the case it's more productive to study this and a few other spots as Fee areas to avoid future confusion. As to Cooks if they don't currently sell Adventure passes perhaps it could be in their interest to stock them and other trail essentials in the future since few other canyon residents appreciate the value of our user group.

[Phishin Paul]

I think its a good idea to patronize Cook's as a thank you for allowing us to park there. Its pretty much a "win/win." I haven't checked their menu lately, but fish tacos and healthy post-ride meals would probably boost sales..

I couldn't agree more. Cook's patio is one of the best in the area to enjoy some good suds and enjoy the outdoors at the same time. Plus, you get to chat with some hard core Orange County Harley riders showing off their new leather chaps. Just joking, I have had some fun conversations with all hanging out at Cook's. Real cool people hanging out there.

[KBL]

I couldn't agree more. Cook's patio is one of the best in the area to enjoy some good suds and enjoy the outdoors at the same time. Plus, you get to chat with some hard core Orange County Harley riders showing off their new leather chaps. Just joking, I have had some fun conversations with all hanging out at Cook's. Real cool people hanging out there.

Yeah, it's gonna be much easier to make Cook's Corner happy with mountain bikers than it would be to persuade a government agency to provide better parking.

Parking at Cook's has another advantage whether you're doing an out-and-back or riding STT-to-Luge: you get a downhill finish and you don't have to climb back up to your parked vehicle.

[kioti]

The shoulders of that road are not well equipped to handle the weight of those vehicles, especially when denuded. Perhaps the Deputy is a rock hound and only thinking to protect the road for emergency access. Regardless of the case it's more productive to study this and a few other spots as Fee areas to avoid future confusion. As to Cooks if they don't currently sell Adventure passes perhaps it could be in their interest to stock them and other trail essentials in the future since few other canyon residents appreciate the value of our user group.

The Deputy is just doing his job, no issue there. Someone decided how to arrange the current parking areas, and they're popular.

Parking on the uphill shoulder seems more natural, as long as its done without blocking the gate, but in a perfect world loop riders would park at Cook's, and out-and-backers would park at the gate. Maybe at some point, something like the proposed Black Star county park will occur up there.

Its plausible that the weakness of the uphill shoulder dictated putting the cars on the downhill side of the road (which doubles as a drainage ditch).. I don't know. I just spend a lot of time up there, and see safety and maintenance issues. I'd just like to see some signs to advise drivers of the need to exercise caution and share the road before someone gets killed.

Warning: (speech alert) "The mobility of mountain bikes allows for remote parking, but these trails are designated multi-use, and systems need to be in place to accommodate various user groups. Trailhead parking and protected rights-to-access are issues that only get more difficult to secure as areas are built-out and private property owners are allowed to block easements."

[dstepper]

The way some cars flying up the grade and how close they seem to come to us on bikes parked cars makes hard to get out of the way of the cars. It will never happen but it is to bad that the gate is not further up the fireroad to allow parking in the existing flat area just inside the current gate.

I think the day will come when Cooks and/or the other landowner gets tried of us Mtbers and roadies parking there.

Dean

[Waldo]

....further up the fireroad to allow parking in the existing flat area just inside the current gate.

Darn good idea, though I don't think there's enough space there for more than a handful of cars.

I think the day will come when Cooks and/or the other landowner gets tried of us Mtbers and roadies parking there.

Dean

Totally disagree with you on that, Dean (respectfully, of course). All we gotta do is support their business, which many of us do with post-ride patronage, and a whole lot of us do with a big shindig at the Rwanda event. The food is decent, the beer's cold, the prices are fair, and the location & atmosphere are classic. What more could you ask for after a long ride? Thanks Cooks!

[kioti]

Parking inside the current gate on STT as opposed to parking on the shoulders of the grade would definitely be an improvement, safety wise. A paved shoulder (bike lane) for the climb would help, too, to get out of the way of impatient, irritated or oblivious drivers.

But even if there was a parking lot at the top of the grade, I don't think it could be large enough to handle the full weekend demand of all user groups. Thats why its probably a good idea to support Cook's with as much of our business as possible, so they actually want us to keep using their lot.

And I agree with KBL, finishing an Old Camp or Luge ride with a fast descent is more fun than grinding back up the grade to the cars.

[dstepper]

Totally disagree with you on that, Dean (respectfully, of course). !

I say that because I am not sure how much of that parking we use is part of Cooks Property.

A little dozer work could expand the parking opportunities greatly behind the gate.

Dean

[genusmtbkr5]

I say that because I am not sure how much of that parking we use is part of Cooks Property.

A little dozer work could expand the parking opportunities greatly behind the gate.

Dean

The gated area is property of Cook's and the owner told me he doesn't mind us parking there on weekends cause the immediate area closer to Cook's is reserved for motorcycles parking and is coned off.

As long as we keep the area clean and pick up the trash left, we're ok.