It has been two months since the trails reopened in the Santa Monica Mountains, in areas managed by State Parks and the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority. We can now begin to see how that is working out.
I’ve laced up my running shoes and hit the most popular trails, from Escondido Falls in Malibu to Elysian and Griffith Parks downtown. I’ve also run and walked on beaches and popular gathering-places like Palisades Park in Santa Monica.
There’s a LOT of people out on the trails. In part that may be because of folks going stir-crazy in their small apartments, perhaps surrounded by numerous family members. It’s also the onset of summer and warm weather, with the magnetic effect the beaches and outdoors have on Southern Californians at this time of year.
For those of us on foot in the mountains, what are we seeing? For one thing, not many face-masks and little social-distancing, although the more considerate folks cover their mouth and nose as they approach you. I’d say one-third to one-half of people on the trails carry a mask or bandana. With runners breathing hard (I myself carry a bandana), and especially with the younger cohort, unfortunately there is much less compliance. And with mountain bikers, almost no compliance.
It’s certainly a buzz-kill for a hiker on a single-track trail, minding his/her own business, to be suddenly confronted with a shredder bombing straight at you at high speed, with barely time (if you’re lucky) to jump off the trail to save your life as the unmasked rider passes with zero separation distance.
The trails reopened on May 10th. Since then, times have changed at warp speed. Amazingly, face masks and social-distancing are suddenly political issues, red versus blue. Public health officials advocating for caution and conservatism are being harassed, intimidated (in L.A. County), and driven from office (Orange County). Pressure to “reopen” and revert to normalcy is irresistible. Bars and restaurants are tentatively open again.
Sadly, we are now starting to see the results. New cases, hospitalizations and new deaths are surging, especially in aggressive reopening places like Florida, Texas and Arizona. The virus never takes a holiday.
It is true that trails and the outdoors are safer than enclosed bars and restaurants. Fresh air, sunlight, and warm temps inhibit the spread, especially if you are hiking on a wide fire road where you can take evasive action, as opposed to single-track.
The months ahead will tell how all this works out. For me, despite the obstacles and disruptions, it’s a blessing and a privilege to get outdoors and hit the trails.
One final observation: If you see a black stick on the trail, don’t step on it. There’re a lot of rattlesnakes this season.
Eric Edmunds, Chair
Santa Monica Mountains Task Force