The trail damage assessments at Topanga SP and Will Rogers SHP following the Palisades Fire are nearly complete.
In a brief update last week, Jason Finlay, trails coordinator for State Parks, told us they had found “no major problems” such as slope failures or damage to structures on many of the impacted trails — including Leacock, Bienveneda, and the upper Temescal area. If the rain this week doesn’t exacerbate their condition, some trails, he postulated, could be reopened “relatively quickly” — as it should simply be a matter of clearing rockfall, removing slough, and re-exposing the trail tread, then building dips and drains to control water.
He also noted that once the assessments are finished, one of his team’s next priorities will be to start clearing some of the most popular State Park trails that are currently closed to the public, beginning with Los Liones Trail, and lower Will Rogers including Betty Rogers Trail and all the little trails within the historic zone.
There are a few spots, however, which Jason says “unfortunately aren’t going to reopen any time soon”. Temescal Canyon, in particular, was much worse than they had hoped to find it. He talked of major slope failures, and giant piles of landslide material. Active landslides were happening around them while they were logging damages in the canyon last Wednesday in the rain.
We recommend following the Angeles District of California State Parks on Instagram (@angelesstateparks), as well as the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (@mrcaparks), for timely announcements regarding trail re-opening dates and extended closures.
Next week, park staff will meet with the volunteer crew leaders to go over their findings, and I expect to begin scheduling volunteer activities very soon after. Not only on the burned and bulldozered State Park trails, but also those administered by MRCA and other agencies, as well as the trails unaffected by the fire — which still need to be maintained! We will have a lot to do. Stay tuned!
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In the meantime, here are some other key dates for your calendar:
Next meeting of the Santa Monica Mountains Task Force
Tuesday, March 4th, 7:00 pm
All are welcome! Call in to learn about the past, present, and possible future environmental threats faced by the Santa Monica Mountains, and discover ways to support our ongoing mission to preserve and protect them. Meetings are bi-monthly. Those who cannot join us in person will be able to participate via Zoom.
Santa Monica Mountains Trail Days
Fri-Sun, April 4th-6th
Trail Days is a beloved, free-to-attend, annual celebration of our local trails and parkland, held in Point Mugu State Park every April, and now in its 42nd year. Come out for just the day (Sat/Sun) to help maintain the trails — all within Pt Mugu, so no recent fire damage — or bring your camping gear and stay through the weekend. Volunteers can look forward to a complimentary BBQ dinner on Saturday night, a jumbo prize raffle generously sponsored by community members, and much more.
California State Parks Week / crew lunch party
Saturday, June 14th, 8:30 am
“Intro to Trail Maintenance” special event in celebration of California State Parks Week, followed by our crew’s traditional end-of-season lunch party.
Upcoming Outings with the Tuesday Moderate Hikers
2/25: Tapia Spur Trail to Malibu Creek State Park
3/4: Stunt Rd to Red Rock Canyon
3/11: Solstice Canyon/Deer Valley Loop
3/18: Stunt High Trail to Saddle Peak
3/25: Malibu Creek State Park to King Gillette Ranch
New hikes are regularly added to our Schedule of Activities. We typically have 10-20 people on each hike, everyone there to enjoy the outdoors and be with like-minded people.
Weekly outings with the Tuesday Moderate Hikers (TMH) are usually about 8 miles in length with close to 1,000 ft gain, and tend to end in the early afternoon.
Upcoming Outings with the Tuesday Conditioned Hikers
2/18: Piuma to Saddle Peak
2/25: Zuma Canyon Loop
The conditioned (TCH) hikes, also taking place every Tuesday, are typically longer and more strenuous, usually about 12 miles with about 2,000 ft gain.
-Rachel G.