Trabuco & West Horse Thief....CNF Wants Your Input

[mtnbikej]

I got this from Keith Eckstein today:


Hi All:

Here we go! Looks like we're ready for the next step in the Trabuco Canyon Trails Restoration Project. Please, please, please respond to the Rangers' request for input. Now is the time for the recreation community to make our wishes known. I for one am excited to see this moving forward.

Also, please forward this form to all your friends!

Thanks in advance,
Keith Eckstein


Scoping Letter below

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1smus2JUdbgx34QfG7gieBoVYbROruo7a/view?pli=1



On Tue, Jul 30, 2024 at 10:04 AM Rodriguez, Jacob - FS, CA <jacob.rodriguez@usda.gov> wrote:

Hi all,

Thank you for your involvement as we work toward repairing the trails in Trabuco and Holy Jim Canyons. I have attached the Public Scoping Letter that we have prepared for the work proposed on the West Horsethief and Trabuco Canyon Trails. Please feel free to circulate this letter as you feel appropriate. We also welcome any official comments that you have.

Thanks again!


Jake

Jake Rodriguez Recreation & Lands Officer Forest Service Cleveland National Forest, Trabuco Ranger District

 

[Rumpled]

I do see some issues with this letter, but of course am all for bringing the trails back

They are gonna park vehicles on existing pavement? Where in the hell is this existing pavement anywhere near those trails?

Seems like they are planning on pretty wide trails.

Only three weeks for comment? Aren't they supposed to give more than that for public comment? Or, is this not actual public comment notice.

 

[evdog]

6 ft wide trail tread seems like too much. But I imagine that the tread would narrow down naturally over time with erosion. WHT is about the only trail in Santa Anas I have never ridden but I recall it was on steep terrain. Does 6 ft even seem doable?

 

[sir crashalot]

it says "up to" 6' wide. Practically, i doubt all 8 miles would be that wide, hopefully thats a maximum. doesnt seem feasible in many places, like evdog mentioned on WHT, to steep to cut in that much, and will definitely narrow over time once the trails are bulit and then barely officially maintained after that . Either way Id be happy to have access again.

 

[Mikie]

Thanks J!

 

[Tom the Bomb]

Good to hear they are open to input.

 

[gunga din]

6 ft wide trail tread seems like too much. But I imagine that the tread would narrow down naturally over time with erosion. WHT is about the only trail in Santa Anas I have never ridden but I recall it was on steep terrain. Does 6 ft even seem doable?

 

[gunga din]

not really . to steep in most spots

 

[mtnbikej]

First off….wanna clear up a misconception.

CNF refers to WHT and Trabuco Trails. Those of that frequent the area consider Trabuco Trail the entirety of the trail from Main Divide all the way to the small parking lot at the gate. CNF considers Trabuco Trail from the WHT split to Main Divide.

Technically from the gate to the split is WHT, and it continues up to the left at the split. (the VQ HAB).



Now on to the 6’ trail bed….it was discover that during the work we did last year on the Trabuco section, the trail bed was 6-8’ in most areas(remember this used to be a road). Over time it grew down to the single track that we all prefer. The area below the split was a mix of wide bed and dry creek bed. The trail down there kinda evolved over the years. I know they want to reroute the bottom section out of the creek bed. No way to do that without heavy equipment.

From the WHT split to Main Divide , Trabuco is actually in pretty good shape. Yes, there are a few spots that will require repairs, and unfortunately it’ll require heavy equipment…too much solid rock to deal with by hand.

When they mention access from pavement, I believe that is during the reconstruction period, but I void be wrong.

My fear is that they dumb the trail down to at best a flow trail, but picture handrails, disabled parking and charge ports for e-bikes and teslas.

I don’t know if this means they found a contractor to do the work yet or not.

Pass it along. I don’t care what you say to CNF, but write something up and send it in.

 

[evdog]

Thanks J. Based on what you have seen on Trabuco, do you think the needed repairs could be done with a mini excavator? (think a machine 3-4 feet wide). Or would it likely require a bigger machine than that?

I don't doubt that whatever they do will seem dumbed down at first. That always seems to be the case, especially with machine work. It will redevelop its own character after a while.

 

[gunga din]

First off….wanna clear up a misconception.

CNF refers to WHT and Trabuco Trails. Those of that frequent the area consider Trabuco Trail the entirety of the trail from Main Divide all the way to the small parking lot at the gate. CNF considers Trabuco Trail from the WHT split to Main Divide.

Technically from the gate to the split is WHT, and it continues up to the left at the split. (the VQ HAB).



Now on to the 6’ trail bed….it was discover that during the work we did last year on the Trabuco section, the trail bed was 6-8’ in most areas(remember this used to be a road). Over time it grew down to the single track that we all prefer. The area below the split was a mix of wide bed and dry creek bed. The trail down there kinda evolved over the years. I know they want to reroute the bottom section out of the creek bed. No way to do that without heavy equipment.

From the WHT split to Main Divide , Trabuco is actually in pretty good shape. Yes, there are a few spots that will require repairs, and unfortunately it’ll require heavy equipment…too much solid rock to deal with by hand.

When they mention access from pavement, I believe that is during the reconstruction period, but I void be wrong.

My fear is that they dumb the trail down to at best a flow trail, but picture handrails, disabled parking and charge ports for e-bikes and teslas.

I don’t know if this means they found a contractor to do the work yet or not.

Pass it along. I don’t care what you say to CNF, but write something up and send it in.

how else can fat out of shape people ride a trail like trabuco. maybe they should in a lift so you don't need any skills at all

 

[mtnbikej]

Thanks J. Based on what you have seen on Trabuco, do you think the needed repairs could be done with a mini excavator? (think a machine 3-4 feet wide). Or would it likely require a bigger machine than that?

I don't doubt that whatever they do will seem dumbed down at first. That always seems to be the case, especially with machine work. It will redevelop its own character after a while.

The few spots up high that need fixing, I'd imagine could be done with a mini ex. Everything down below the split, will require much larger equipment.