New "Do Not Enter" Sign on Ladera Ridge, aka Lower Chiquita Ridge

Maybe, but last year I ran into some rangers doing maintenance on Waterworks. They said it wasn't really in their jurisdiction, but wanted to clean it up. According to them it remains open, but is not signed.

 

I believe OC Parks is sometimes contracted to manage land they don't own.

 

The single track was "widened" because some dumba$$ kids drove a Subaru all the way up the trail until it was stuck. Apparently the only way to retrieve it was to take away 300 yards of nice single track.

This really sucks. Let's all unite and see if we can get this opened back up. I guess my Big Ladera Loop KOM is safe for a while ;-)

I just called OC Parks Trails Department also. The lady that answered was really nice and said she will look into the closure. Let's not pepper her with calls until we receive an answer as to why the trail was closed. Then we can unify and try to get this reopened. If we need to create a group that will maintain the trail then I think we can get enough volunteers to make it happen. This is a fantastic trail that we cannot let slip away without a fight. Stay tuned folks, I will post something as soon as I hear back from OC Parks.....

 

I sent an email last night to these email addresses, not sure if this will go anywhere, but gotta try.

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

 

Was a bit taken back last week, rode waterworks for the first time since last year (Steve, when you and I were there with the Blake crash - I actually think it's been 2 years -- D'oh, been gone too much!!!) and was shocked to see the very large barbed wire fence keeping you on the main single track.

So many different users in such a tight bit of land, changes are bound to happen when others abuse the trail. Sure was nice to see the Tijeras 'jungle' starting to take shape again.

Please consider what the homeowners in that area see on a regular basis, and most likely in the middle of the night with people up to 'no good'. Unfortunately, it usually affects the responsible user the most.

This is sad, this was one of my favorite night ride trails.

 

From my buddy Joe: "Spoke to Helen, OC Regional Trails at 714-973-6680. She said trail was closed bc it is an unauthorized trail. Stated it is part of Oneil Regional Park, RSM Assoc and Rancho Viejo. Think she's referring to entire lower Chiquita. Call and voice your concerns. She's already had 10 calls. Spread the word to call".

"Update from Helen. She stated Rancho Mission Viejo requested O'Neil Park to close trail. Will provide further info regarding closure". Hope there is something we can do to keep it open.

 

These new trail closures suck big green donkey d*cks. WTF?
Pfffttt - Aint nothing illegal until you get caught...IF you get caught. :?:
I'm over it already.

 

I also got an email back with this response. I replied back and inquired whether or not this is considered "public" land or owned by RMVC.

"The trail closure is a O'Neil Park issue and does not involve Regional Trails.
The access to the trail was closed by O'Neil Park by the request of Rancho
Mission Viejo Company.

Trail they are inquiring might be referred to as the following:
Trail near Ladera Ranch off Oso Parkway about 100 yards past Meandering Trail Rd
intersection.
Trail off Oso Parkway"

It is seeming to me lately (actually always) that in Orange County public means "until they decide otherwise" and preserved means "until we can make enough money on the land and sell to a developer." The land off El Toro Rd near Oakley is now designated as "Previously Designated Open Space" WTF?

 

As far as I can see, there are no homes anywhere near the Ladera Ridge Trail. Anyway, nobody is going to ever patrol this trail.

Julie, Yes Tijeras is nice right now and so is lower Arroyo Trabucco. Come on down and lets hook up some time.

 

At the bottom of Rage Trail, there is another new barbed wire fence and threatening sign courtesy of OC Parks:

These fences are being installed at the bottom of steep trails, with no warnings higher up. I'm glad I looked up in time. I hope nobody gets hurt by these.

 

Rage DH used to be a fun little "E-Ticket" ride.
I used to love bombing down it on the rigid SS - fear and exhilaration at the same time.

Farewell lovely trail.

 

They took out my little bridge! Bastards!

 

Well, just got off the phone with Charlie Ware (sp?) from Rancho Mission Viejo and the news was not good. Really good guy and was very apologetic about the fact that this was done so abruptly and without any notice to the trail users. He said they will be doing some public outreach about this. Although they agree that these trails have been used by the local communities for many years, they are on RMV land and are illegal. He said their main concerns were "fire hazards with the drought we've had and protecting sensitive and endangered species in the area". Although this certainly sounded like BS to me, if it is RMV land, they can do whatever they want with it. May go ride it one last time tomorrow afternoon before they put up barbed wire at all of the trailheads. pm me if you are interested. I will never forget how excited I was the first time I was able to clean that climb from Oso...

 

Yes but RMV sold lots out there probable not disclosing the fact the trails were illegal. The endangered species is not bothered by the occasional hiker/biker. It is a total red herring argument. Fire danger can be reduced by having eye on what happens out there as most local fires are set by arsonists. The hiking/horse crowd does not realize when they first get motos off the trails, then go after MTBers, next will be them. Not glad the trails got closed but OK with closed to all groups...maybe users groups can get together and get this changed back. Why spend extra money to lie in area that has open space only to be looked out of it...this is very wrong. nal hiker/biker. It is a total red herring argument. Fire danger can be reduced by having eye on what happens out there as most local fires are set by arsonists. The hiking/horse crowd does not realize when they first get motos off the trails, then go after MTBers, next will be them. Not glad the trails got closed but OK with closed to all groups...maybe users groups can get together and get this changed back.

 

I'm not buying this. So it's okay for Rancho Mission Viejo to build out that entire new community along Antonio and Ortega and not worry about the same fire hazards and endangered species 3 miles away? Something fishy is going on here.

 

Because we all know mountain bikers start fires! I am sure since it's owned by RMV they are more concerned with liability than fire or habitat.

 

and there's survey stakes markers all over it. #-o

 

It would not apply to me, when I find barbed wire I turn around or find an alternate path. Crossing a fence line would be tresspassing. The good news: what goes back up must come down again somewhere else.

BUT I must ask: Why would anyone put a paddle in the center of a trail? Why would anyone put up BARBED WIRE across a trail? That is sick, really sick. I can just imagine finding that at high speed in the darkness, my goodness they did not even put on reflectors.

Happy trails in the darkness.

 

I saw a map of the closure from RMV and it looks like it is from Pipeline to Oso, so although most of the singletrack (and probably best part) is gone, part of the ridge should still be open to us.

 

I ride Ladera Ridge to Firehose once or twice per month, and I am truly depressed about this. I hope there's something we can do down the line, but from the communications I'm reading here I'm not very optimistic. Glad I got one last taste of it last week.

Ladera Ridge, Fri 4/11/14