Crowded trails and some words of caution

[JamR]

I rode LCW and Aliso-Woods today from Ridge Park, and the trails were super crowded the entire time. First time in a long time I've encountered that many riders on Stairsteps in both directions.

It's going to be crowded for some time so plan on being extra courteous to everyone for a while.

Now for the head's-up.

Everyone has probably read OMR's post on the night enforcement at Aliso-Woods. Well it is actually county wide and Laguna Coast has started issuing citations on the non-sanctioned trails. I believe about a half dozen people were cited last week in LCW, and an equestrian rider was tagged in SO.

The City of Irvine Ordinances are being formalized and finalized, so very soon it will be an infraction for the first offense, and a misdemeanor for the second offense.

Also the non-sanctioned trails are being signed and patrolled all over the area; and steps are being taken to have them eliminated and restored back to habitat; so I just wanted to caution everyone to ride safely and ride legally out there.

We have good access locally and plenty of trails with more access slowly being brought into the system; but the backlash is that the non-sanctioned trails are being very closely monitored and patrolled which was brought on by some recent re-opening of trails that had seen little use in the past; which included the use of gallons of herbicides down in some very sensitive habitat areas to clear vegetation from the trail.

The Rabbit Run trail in the City of Irvine Space was also a recent recipient of some unauthorized modifications to the rock garden which has caused a temporary closure of the trail for all users until the area is repaired and steps are put into place to prevent more work in the future. Unfortunately with this particular trail; if it becomes an attractive nuisance to the area and to the City by receiving continuous unauthorized modifications; it will eventually be closed for good and restored back to habitat which would be a great loss to the area.

Again....as stated many times; we have some direct control over our future access by just spreading the word out there and letting people you know personally, or people you see entering these trails that their actions are affecting us all.

Stay safe out there and watch out for the crowds over the next few months.

See ya on the trails

[tkblazer]

aliso was packed, but everyone we ran into today was nice..

[Pain Freak]

This would be a great time to have a road bike....oh yeah, like mine!

I feel for my southern bro's and bro-ettes down there and SD, not a whole lot to choose from to ride right now. Looks like everyone and their neighbors are hitting the coastal rides. OC is especially getting hit hard with an abundance of riders. Hopefully they'll reopen something for next weekend.

[TURNERob]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

aliso was packed, but everyone we ran into today was nice..

I guess you didn't see Steven Jackson then eh?

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by TURNERob

I guess you didn't see Steven Jackson then eh?

no, i believe he was delivering pizzas... he said he was going to show up for the sunday ride at the loop though

[Pain Freak]

No he isn't he's racing at Mt SAC

[tkblazer]

i wonder if the entire Motiv team is going to be there

[Pain Freak]

Sorry for the highjack....now back to our regular scheduled thread....

[foofighter]

definitely need to practice some patience...we ran into A LOT of hikers today as well at the top of Mathis and coming up Meadows...

[guero]

i think im gonna give aliso a rest for awhile....one less bubb out there to worry bout.

[Hoosierdaddy]

Say it isn't so! I really hope someone didn't ruin Rabbit Run, it's one of the most fun trails in that area.

Thanks for the heads up Adam, and as always, looking out for our best interest.