Oaks Recap

[riderofbikes]

On Saturday, 4/05, a group of SHARE volunteers worked to restore two of the previously closed trails at Santiago Oaks. The trails worked were SORP2 (was Power Line, now Yucca Ridge) and SORP8 (was Wiggly’s, now Coachwhip). Each had been closed due to extensive erosion resulting from post Windy Ridge Fire rains.
Saturday’s group cleared all of the overgrowing mustard and other trail covering brush, dug several water bars for drainage, and broke down the high sides of the rutted sections filling them in where sustainable.
Both trails were reopened by that day (signs removed by the park’s Senior Ranger) and are in ride able condition.

On Sunday, another group of SHARE volunteers met at the bottom of SORP1A (Chutes) to complete a new bypass trail (not yet named). This was a result of discussions with the rangers who advised us of users’ concerns with the blind corner leading up to Barham Ridge. Often speedy downhill bike traffic was meeting up with uphill bound hikers and equestrians causing some angst between all.
We marked the new bypass on 3/29. Three volunteers started the job on Saturday (after the other work that day) and five returned Sunday morning to complete the trail. As the new trail is made with horses in mind, we tried to keep it at about 3’ wide. It turned out very nice and I expect all types of park visitors will enjoy its use. It also is open now, so check it out if you're in the area.

Next Sunday, 4/13, we will be working on SORP5A (was Taco, now Grasshopper) and SORP9 (was Hot Dog, now Giddy-Up). The first needs tread work and a little brushing. The second is so thick with mustard (I learned where it got the Hot Dog name) we couldn’t really get a good idea of what condition the trail itself was in… in fact, when we hiked it with the ranger, we couldn’t always find the trail beneath us. So obviously that one will need a bunch of cutting back. Once exposed, we’ll be able to see what else it needs.
After these two are done and reopened, that will be about the time for the public meeting on 4/16. We will learn more then.

We have seen not only support from the new Senior Ranger, Jim Simkins, but a genuine enthusiasm for getting things opened and restoring Santiago Oaks to a great OC trail network. If you’re out there riding and see Jim, you might want to say hi. So far, he’s come in on two of his days off to meet hike the closed trails with us, and he takes action when a trail is ready to open.

Thanks for your help everyone!

Here’s some pics:

Working Coachwhip
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Top of Coachwhip - Done (Rangers pulled that sign after we finished)
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Yucca Ridge (pics taken from Coachwhip)
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Chutes Bypass work - top portion
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This guy Fritz is here from Germany for only 10 days and he stopped to help. Nice!
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Chutes bypass done. Bottom and middle sections.
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And Kym, the first rider on the new trail, giving it a test... down, then up (on her singlespeed!)
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See ya on the 13th.

[Winger]

Thanks for the trailwork! I saw the bypass yesterday, but thought it was the work of the jump-building kids. I'm riding there again today and might try it out.

Are they going to shut down the section of trail that was bypassed?

How do we get involved on Sunday? Do we need tools? Do we need to sign up anywhere?

[maxwell]

I'll be there on Sunday.

[Cowgirl]

Tim and I will be there on Sunday too....what tools do you need...we can bring them up in the bob trailer.

Thanks to everyone who helped get those trails back in to use! I plan on riding there tonite and am very happy to hear about the little side route open again so I don't need to climb the 2nd B...

See you all on Sunday!

[Cowgirl]

Maybe after we get our trails all re-established we could organize a ride and everyone could give a little donation to the park as a Thank You for giving us our trails back.....

[project_d]

Thanks to all for the hard work, I am in your debt!!! Should we have an STR group ride at Oaks to celebrate the opening of these trails???

[Waldo]

What an awesome bunch of news. I just feel really guilty to have missed last week's work, and I'll be out of town this weekend! I hope to get a chance to get in there and help out soon, and I'm really excited to see the new and renovated trails. This is becoming a great success story, and huge thanks are owed to everyone who advocated for our trails.

[genusmtbkr5]

There are 5 events going on the same day. There is a newbie ride at Santa Rosa Plateau, the Path Sunday ride, a DH race and 2 other rides. This trail work is not posted. I would love to help out and still may show up just to help, but someone should post this on the calendar so we can get a lot of people out to help.

[Cowgirl]

Originally Posted by genusmtbkr5

There are 5 events going on the same day. There is a newbie ride at Santa Rosa Plateau, the Path Sunday ride, a DH race and 2 other rides. This trail work is not posted. I would love to help out and still may show up just to help, but someone should post this on the calendar so we can get a lot of people out to help.

We are waiting to get the confirmation from the Head Ranger at the park before it can be publicly posted....

[riderofbikes]

Good day all!

We'll be at it again this Sunday. Emerging plan is:

08:30 - Santiago Oaks parking lot - at the end of Windes
09:00 - Head up to the top of Taco/Grasshopper. Some can work there. Others will hike down SORP7/Four Corners to Hot Dog/Giddy-Up/SORP9 for the mustard fest!

The ranger should be available to shuttle the tools in his truck again. However B.O.B.'s are also welcome. Hike in, ride in, it's up to you.
As for tools, we will have SHARE tools there. The rangers also have tools. It will depend on how many volunteers... we'll have to look at it again this week.

Will update again soon.

Thanks!

[riderofbikes]

Hello again,

Ranger just called. They would like us to gather in the overflow lot. If you've not been there, just head East on Katella/Santiago Canyon Rd to Windes. Turn left and slowly (it's residential) follow it down to the Santiago Oaks Park office.
Pull up to the gate and tell them you are there for SHARE trail work. They'll let ya in free. Follow the road to the parking lot. They will use their truck to shuttle our tools up the first Bee to Taco.

Thanks and please check back for any further updates.

[genusmtbkr5]

The event is now posted. Thanks Dan. Please go here to RSVP.

http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/trailhead/16854-trail-work-santiago-oaks.html#1

Time to give back. Hope to see you out there.

[G-Ride]

Awesome news. One question though. Why did they change the trail names?

[KeepsWhatHappens]

Wow it's great to see trail users and the ranger working together to bring the park back after the fire. Thank you to all that helped out!

Now if only the progress was as swift over in Whiting.

[CPATCRASH]

Now if only the progress was as swift over in Whiting. [/quote]

Wasn't the Oaks fire about a year before the Whiting fire?

[mtnbikej]

I will be out there this weekend for some trailwork.....yeehaw.

[Clyde S Dale]

Originally Posted by riderofbikes

We have seen not only support from the new Senior Ranger, Jim Simkins, but a genuine enthusiasm for getting things opened and restoring Santiago Oaks to a great OC trail network.

Thanks for the update, riderofbikes.

I met Jim over the weekend. He chatted me up, encouraged me to join SHARE or the Warrior's Society, and suggested I get involved in trail work. He was on his way to cut the barbed wire at the bottom of Taco before heading out to call some equestrians in Orange Park Acres to come help him with trails.

My gut feeling was that all trail users at Oaks are lucky to have this guy as Senior Ranger.

[Cowgirl]

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