Danger On Blackstar

Not true.......I saw it/tried to move it on Thursday at around 5:30.

B

 

I asked a Sheriff deputy at the gate one day what is Blackstar Road's legal status is, he said there is an easement granted for companies that have business up there (Southern California Edison and such) but it is not a "public easement". He also said he rides it and they won't ticket anyone riding it.

I have spoke to Art a couple of times at the gate and he was always polite and non-aggressive. He has said "I have checked with the County and they have not deeded yet so Blackstar is private". Not sure what that means.

 

I encountered a railroad tie around 6:00 on 11/27/07.

 

Anyone got a chainsaw they want to bring along in a bobtrailer so we can cut up any railroad wooden structures?

 

Ok so this guy is going over the top. I understand that and its wrong, hopefully no one gets hurt. But let me say this, I have ridden the SoCal trails for as long as MTB's were started. People's attitudes have gotten worse over those years. Are you the likes of a group of riders that pull up in the (example) neighborhood on Baylis in Santa Monica at "anytime early AM" and play your radio while you get ready for your ride or wait for friends? Or yell back and forth to others? Any of you go back to the time before the 8am parking time limit at Rimcrest? We used to ride from there but loud "riders" pissed off the neighbors and got that changed. Do you really think I or anyone wants to hear you yelling to friends or playing music while you load your day packs for Fullerton? In the morning or night? Everyone is so worried about the impact of riders on trails, how about the impact of riders in the parking areas? Show some common sence in the parking areas and try to be quiet. Unload and ride, pack up and leave. I know that its "not everyone" but riders have gotten rude. Have respect for the people that live in the areas and always yield to the climbing rider....ALWAYS At least thats how it was.

 

Sorry Dad

 

Do you really think I or anyone wants to hear you yelling to friends or playing music while you load your day packs for Fullerton?

I stopped riding the Fully loop due to all of the Budwiser cans on the trail.

 

This was shared by one of the Trail Angels. She was out riding on Sunday afternoon. I don't know what I would have done having heard gun shots out there. Keep an eye out and your phone handy.
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While you are covering the subject of Black Star Canyon, I would like
to share an experience I had in Black Star Canyon yesterday.

I rode Black Star up to Beeks and back. I began my ride around 1pm and
was loading up my bike around 3pm. During the switchback part of the
climb, in the upper portion of the canyon, I heard gunshots. Many of
them. I wasn't fearful because I was at the top portion of the canyon,
but thought it odd that someone was rapidly firing a firearm in the
canyon.

I had a lovely ride, and while loading up my bike, an OC Sheriff pulled
up behind me and asked if I'd heard gunshots in the canyon. I
explained what I'd heard and approximately what time. He said he had
gotten multiple calls and was responding. Every rider in the canyon
heard the shots; I counted about 9 or 10 others. At that same time, a
white jeep and a guy on a motorcycle were exiting the big gate. After
the sherrif investigated he told me that all three individuals stated
they were shooting guns on Art Tuttle's property. Since Art lives on
private property, they (he) are legal. The sherrif took names and left.

Ironically, I stopped right in front of Art's gate to his property on
my way up and noticed broken glass. The gate was locked. I assumed he
was not home. I didn't see any sign of him. My guess is that with the
increase of riders in Black Star Canyon (due to the closures of the
Santiago Fire)he's probably going over the edge, as we know Art's
antics of terrorizing and harrassing people on the road, trying to keep
them off the road that he believes he owns. My hunch is that he is
inviting people to shoot guns on his property as a scare tactic. I
don't think Art was home, but then I don't know for a fact.

I encourage folks to keep riding. The county knows him by name, and he
told me personally one year ago he did 6 mos. in the county jail for
threatening a woman who was walking her dog. If he steps over the
line, they will arrest him again. There have been multiple occurances.

My take: Ride with caution. Don't let Art or his friends bully you
out of the canyon. If you hear or see anything, call the OC Sheriff
immediately from the canyon.

 

If Art was a businessman, he'd install a motion sensitive camera to take digital pix of riders as they climb & descend blackstar. Then he could upload them to a site and sell the pictures online, since it is rare that we actually get action shots of ourselves.

Another idea is to sell beer from his gate & turn it into a lounge. The Subtle Tuttle Wilderness Bubble.

This guy could make some serious dough if he'd play nice.

 

heck the name is pretty catchy! might look good in neon...

 

This off the WS website. Hopefully it answers some questions to wheither it's legal to ride or not.

"I have researched the documents pertaining to the public easement and have confirmed through the public documents and my supervisors that the County easement and common law allows the public the right to access the National Forest through Blackstar Canyon Road. The documents further state that although the county declared this a "non-maintained road," this does not affect the public's right to access the forest, which is irrevocable according to common law."

For more on this:

http://www.warriorssociety.org/Blackstar_info.html

 

Rude riders are the reason you need a "Resident" sticker to park on Old Potrero Road (Sycamore - Pt. Mugu).

 

Were do you park when you go there? And is it safe to park there? I was thinking of going tomarrow morn.

 

you park off blackstar road, which is just off of silverado canyon road, which is just off of santiago canyon road.

 

I was looking at the Geoladders satellite pic of the trail, do park near the trail head gate?

 

no, after you make a left on do blackstar you'll see cars about an 1/8th of a mile down the road, typically on the left, but you can park on the right too. the 'xmas tree' farm area is where we park. i believe it is illegal to park down near the gate after dark.

 

There's parking along the sides. Most park near the Xmas tree farm on the left.

 

he should start a shuttle service :lol: Tuttle's Shuttle

 

As far as art goes ( i wont put a capitol in front of his name, does not deserve it). Well this is the real deal.I have rode Black star (x) amounts of times. But, on one particular ride the O.C sheriff helicopter stopped a ride. Art had pulled a gun on a lady walking her dog.The gate was swarming with cops ( ask the beard).This is the reason black star was quiet for some time. This is not hear say but a real experience.

 

thanks for the parking info.