North Hodges After-Fire Pictures

[sladnas]

Hi everyone,

The North Shore of Hodges opened up yesterday, so I decided to head out and get some pictures of the aftermath. It isn't pretty. A lot of little fingers/trails are closed, and some parts are not even recognizable. Time will heal this, but in the mean time lets do our part to leave damaged areas alone and stay on designated areas.


Fencing currently blocks access to the upper trail



Lots of signs regarding the fire have been posted.



The detour is still in place from the main fireroad due to the pedestrian bridge being built across the lake. The short climb up isn't too familiar.



Descending back to the main fire road.



There are lots of signs of major work being done to prevent erosion.



Heading into the lower creek area.



The creek is wide (relatively speaking) right now thanks to the rain and lack of brush.



Remind your fellow trail users about the rules currently in effect. Going on closed trails will result in the closure of the entire trail system.



Looking across at South Hodges. Lots of devastation over there.



Upper ridge is closed.



Looking towards the upper ridge access point from the lake parking lot. The park billboard is just a rubble. The trail to the left is closed, although there is only a tiny little sign at this point.



Looking up towards the upper ridge.



This is one of the hardest areas to look at. For those familiar with Hodges--this, believe it or not, is all that is left of the single-track finger that exits at the paved road. Very sad.



The earth whispers into the trail's ears, "this too shall pass." Lots of greenery is already sprouting around some areas. A great sign for a healthy recovery.

[allison]

Mark - thanks for the photos. Sad to see.

Is that seed down there, or just ash?

They seeded around Fallbrook, so was just curious.

[schleppp]

Mark, thanks for the pics... I will be out there tomorrow are you going to be there with Pacman?

[sladnas]

Originally Posted by schleppp

Mark, thanks for the pics... I will be out there tomorrow are you going to be there with Pacman?

Yep.

Originally Posted by allison

Mark - thanks for the photos. Sad to see.

Is that seed down there, or just ash?

They seeded around Fallbrook, so was just curious.

You know, I'm not really sure. I don't think I saw any obvious seeding (none of that green stuff). I think they try to keep the area growing with indigenous species (i.e., what happens to grow)

[EBasil]

Good work with the photos. I haven't been up there, other than the freeway overpass, and some of your shots took my breath for a sec.

[TCB]

Are the trails leading to the Upper ridge permanently closed or temporary closures, what does the sign say in the first photo.

Thanks for the photos and update.

[sladnas]

Originally Posted by TCB

Are the trails leading to the Upper ridge permanently closed or temporary closures, what does the sign say in the first photo.

Thanks for the photos and update.

It says "Please keep out." I'm sure it is a temporary closure. Some of the area will be closed for quite some time. It's actually amazing that it they opened any of it at all.

I did see quite a few tracks blazing across the burnt surface--that's the kind of stuff the ranger is looking for to determine whether to leave any of it open at all.

[SKULLY]

Thanks for the pics. Looks like I thought it would. Bummer that they have closed all the upper stuff........makes me not want to ride there. That new
bridge is going to kill the south side when it opens up. How many people are
going to be exposed to the tight stuff over there that would have never ventured over before they put in the 10 million dollar express bridge?

[sladnas]

Originally Posted by SKULLY

Thanks for the pics. Looks like I thought it would. Bummer that they have closed all the upper stuff........makes me not want to ride there. That new
bridge is going to kill the south side when it opens up. How many people are
going to be exposed to the tight stuff over there that would have never ventured over before they put in the 10 million dollar express bridge?

Yeah, that thing makes no sense to me. It looks awful, is adding serious pollution to an already polluted lake, and will as you said, make foot traffic IMMENSE. Great job.

[mntbiker12]

This is heart breaking for lots of reasons. Obviously, I feel the folks who lost there homes in and around that area. I worked in RB for five years, so I know the community well and it's a sad thing.

Lake Hodges is where I cut my teeth as far as MTB goes and where I first started to do some real riding. As my skills progressed, I stopped going, but it was always a fun ride to do occasionally. And whenever I was introducing friends to the sport, this was one of the first tracks I'd take them to; it's just a great place to learn the sport.

It's hard to see the devastation...but it's good to see that the Earth rebounds so quickly from these types of natural disasters. Given time, it will be back for more new riders to enjoy.

[SKULLY]

Originally Posted by sladnas

Yeah, that thing makes no sense to me. It looks awful, is adding serious pollution to an already polluted lake, and will as you said, make foot traffic IMMENSE. Great job.

All I can think about is all the great trails they could
have built with all that money if they would have just
attached a foot bridge below the freeway bridge.

[sladnas]

Originally Posted by mntbiker12

This is heart breaking for lots of reasons. Obviously, I feel the folks who lost there homes in and around that area. I worked in RB for five years, so I know the community well and it's a sad thing.

Lake Hodges is where I cut my teeth as far as MTB goes and where I first started to do some real riding. As my skills progressed, I stopped going, but it was always a fun ride to do occasionally. And whenever I was introducing friends to the sport, this was one of the first tracks I'd take them to; it's just a great place to learn the sport.

It's hard to see the devastation...but it's good to see that the Earth rebounds so quickly from these types of natural disasters. Given time, it will be back for more new riders to enjoy.

Yeah. The area smells like the "fire" so to speak. Brought back a few emotions.

Hodges is just about all newb territory, but there were a few fun spots--and those looking for a workout could always blast up Bernardo Mtn. I lived close enough to it that I would just ride an extra few miles to/from the trail head from my apartment. That let me cruise through the south side as well. I will miss that route. Here's to new beginnings.

Originally Posted by SKULLY

All I can think about is all the great trails they could
have built with all that money if they would have just
attached a foot bridge below the freeway bridge.

Excellent point. Annnnd, they just happen to be rebuilding the freeway bridge right now...oh well. Government money. Why have one bridge when you can build two for twice the cost?

[foofighter]

thanks for sharing it's good to see the area healing itself

[PacMan]

Thanks for the pics Mark.

I too cut some of my riding teeth at Hodges and it is where I taught my son to ride trails. It was the site of many good times for the SD crew.

I know it will be back "good as new" eventually, but it brings emotions to the surface none the less. It's like seeing an old friend who is sick.

Speaking of which, I can't wait to go see that old friend tomorrow and wish him well.