Timely announcements and news. |
posted Oct 31, 2011 8:51 PM by Margaret Hill
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of one of our own: Ben York. Ben was a member of the San Diego Unit and a true leader, mentor, and friend to many. Our deepest condolences are extended to his family.
Dr. Ben York, Jr. of Alpine, CA came to the end of his earthly trail and hung up his spurs on Wednesday, October 19, 2011. He was born September 3, 1924 to Ben and Marion Bunnell York in Pleasanton, CA. He graduated from Amador Valley High School and served honorably in the U.S. Army in World War II. He wed Adeline Wright on August 30, 1952 and celebrated 53 anniversaries before her death in 2006. He attended University of California - Davis, where he earned a B.S. and M.S. in Animal Husbandry in 1950, ‘51 and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1955. That year he opened York’s Animal Clinic in Brawley, CA and professionally cared for large and small animals for over 30 years. He retired to Alpine in 1987 and pursued many interests.
A life-long horseman and mule packer, Dr. York was known for being the first American to ride from Mexico to Canada on the 2,638 mile Pacific Crest Trail in one season. He made that trek when he was 68 years old and so enjoyed it that he made it again at 72. A devout Christian, he served as an elder for several Churches of Christ over his lifetime. He was active in many community groups, among them are: California Veterinary Medical Association, Rotary, Pacific Crest Trail Association, Backcountry Horsemen of California, Toastmasters, Los Senderos, Imperial County Sheriff’s Posse and Optimists. He used his skills as a general aviation pilot to fly gravely ill patients to treatments for Angel Flight. He traveled extensively and, while making an around-the-world trip at the age of 80, he suffered a massive stroke in Siberia. Despite the difficulties that resulted, he remained involved in many activities and enjoyed making friends.
Predeceased by his wife and brother, Marshall, he is survived by his dear sister, Barbara Sargent Johnson (Haywood) Manchester, NH; beloved children, Victoria Gabbard (Tom) Charlotte, NC, Valerie Watts (Ed) La Mesa, CA, Ben York III Gilbert, AZ; and precious grandchildren, Matthew and Megan Gabbard, Chelsea and Shelbea York. The family is especially grateful for the compassionate care of Denis Rees, Cristina Leal, Bill McConnell, Dr. Donald Adema and Avalon Hospice staff.
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posted Oct 26, 2011 8:14 PM by Margaret Hill
25 October 2011: The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to ensure that the County's "vast and popular Parks and Recreation system can continue to thrive, no
matter what’s going on with the larger economy or traditional funding
sources."
When asked, residents said overwhelmingly that "they wanted the County to maintain what
it has. That includes 34 local parks, seven regional parks, more than
300 miles of trails, fishing lakes, open space preserves, campgrounds,
five community centers, sports parks, historic sites, and more than 200
programs."
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posted Oct 6, 2011 5:44 PM by Margaret Hill
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updated Oct 6, 2011 5:46 PM
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Press Release, for Immediate ReleaseA Regional Trails Network for San Diego County
The First Step
Contact: Leana Bulay, San Dieguito River Park, (858) 674-2275 x 14 or Leana@sdrp.org
All hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians* are invited to join the
San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority, The City of Poway, The
San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy, and the County of San Diego for
the opening ceremony of a new trail segment.
 Jim
Cunningham, City of Poway Council member and San Dieguito River Park
Board member will lead a 10 mile hike from the Trans-County trail south
of Poway, through the Poway trail system to the Old Coach North staging
area in the San Dieguito River Park where the hikers will participate in
a ceremony to commemorate the new trail connection.
The ceremony will be held at the Old Coach North staging area (click here for map)
at 12:00pm Saturday, October 8, 2011. Comments from participating
organizations will take place with a Ranger led walk to follow. Light
refreshments will be provided.
 The
San Dieguito River Park, in cooperation with the City of Poway, has
established a north/south trail linkage between the San Dieguito River
Park Coast-to-Crest Trail and the Trans County Trail through the City of
Poway Trail system. The new linkage almost doubles the length of
continuous regional trail system available to trail users by joining the
23 continuous existing miles of the San Dieguito River Park system to
the 14 miles of the Trans-County system through 8 miles of the Poway
Trail system. This regional trail overlays the City of Poway
neighborhood trail system which includes 55 miles of linked trails
providing regional trail access.
Established in 1989, the San Dieguito River Park is a 94,000-acre
open space greenway of regional significance in San Diego's North
County, stretching more than 55 miles from the ocean at Del Mar to
Volcan Mountain near Julian, and home to a diverse array of sensitive
animal and plant species, many of special status. The River Park aims to
protect the natural and cultural resources, sensitive lands and
waterways in the San Dieguito River Valley and provide compatible
recreational opportunities for hikers, bikers and equestrians. For more
information, including trail maps and activities, visit www.sdrp.org.
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Under the Oak Trees on the Old Coach Trail, January 2011. |
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The San Pasqual Valley, photographed from the Old Coach Trail, January 2011 |
Grand Opening Ceremony for Newest
Trail Section
Old Coach Trail Link
to
Coast to Crest Trail
Noon on Saturday October 8
The ceremony will be held at the Highland Valley-Old Coach
staging area at 12460 Highland Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92025.
Click here for map.
Comments from participating organizations will take place
with a Ranger led walk to follow. Light refreshments will be provided.
All hikers, bicyclists and equestrians invited!
*NOTICE TO EQUESTRIANS
Although the event will commemorate our new linkage between
the San Dieguito River Park Coast to Crest Trail and the Poway Old Coach
Trail, equestrian access will be limited to two miles from the Highland
Valley - Old Coach Staging Area due to a major bridge failure at
Sycamore Creek. The bridge repair will take 8-12 months before full
access to the Poway Trail System can be achieved.
For Equestrians who would like a longer
ride, we suggest staging at one of two other larger staging areas along
the Coast to Crest Trail – either San Pasqual Staging Area at Bandy
Canyon Road and Hwy 78, or the Sikes Adobe Staging Area on Sunset Drive
and riding to the event at the new Highland Valley-Old Coach Staging
Area. Click here to see a map with the staging area locations identified. San Dieguito Riverpark Website: www.sdrp.org |
posted Oct 6, 2011 2:53 PM by Margaret Hill
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updated Oct 6, 2011 2:56 PM
]
Here's a reminder that William Heise Park had eight new cabins put in this summer for those who like to camp in comfort!
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posted Sep 29, 2011 11:09 PM by Margaret Hill
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updated Sep 29, 2011 11:29 PM
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From: "Ernest" <ernestoz@yahoo.com> Date: September 28, 2011 6:30:41 AM PDT Subject: Green Valley Horse Camp closed until JULY 1, 2012!
CEA [Cuyamaca Equestrian Association] lacked focus this year, concentrating on keeping/getting trails opened for equestrian use. Now I think we have something to focus on! Read below:
Cuyamaca—All seasonal employees are being laid off as of Sunday, October 2nd. Green Valley Campground and Day Use, Granite Springs Campground, and the Green Valley Horse Camp will close on the 2nd. It will stay closed until July 1, 2012. Anyone who had reservations will be given a choice of either a refund or change their camping site to Paso. There is one exception, and that is John Sproule will stay on until the end of November when Los Vaq will close.
Palomar—All seasonal employees are being laid off as of Sunday, October 2nd. The Palomar Family Campground and the Group Camp will close on the 2nd. It will stay closed, as Palomar is slated for full closure as of July 1, 2012. Anyone who had reservations will be given a refund. |
posted Sep 29, 2011 10:55 PM by Margaret Hill
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updated Dec 13, 2011 1:31 PM
]
North County Times
RAMONA: County restricts parking near Cedar Creek Falls trails
By CHRIS NICHOLS
cnichols@nctimes.com
Posted: Sep 28, 2011 5:29 PM
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday endorsed parking restrictions near the popular, though currently closed, Cedar Creek Falls trails, according to a county news release.
The limits, if formally approved by the board Oct. 12, would ban weekend and holiday visitor parking between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on six streets in Ramona's San Diego Country Estates community.
Those streets are: Cathedral Way, Sugarplum Way, Thornbush Road, Love Lane, Cherish Way and Bellbottom Way.
The trails, which are managed by the U.S. Forest Service, were closed earlier this year after the death of a teen who fell from the falls. The trails were tentatively set to reopen Nov. 8, but that has been delayed.
Visitors to the trails often park in the Estates neighborhood, sometimes overwhelming residents.
County supervisors said the goal of the parking limits was to ease the crush of visitors on the neighborhood and "to help protect the visitors themselves by limiting access to the trails," the news release said.
Cedar Creek Falls is well-known as a scenic, but difficult hiking area. Many -- often those who are ill-prepared for the area's steep terrain and hot weather-- have required emergency rescues.
The parking restrictions would go into effect once the trails are reopened.
__________
Source: http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/ramona/article_583d5833-919a-5b66-92e1-c785814d84e9.html
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posted Sep 22, 2011 10:29 PM by Margaret Hill
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updated Sep 22, 2011 10:50 PM
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19 September 2011
Boxer joins push for San Diego wildernessRep. Issa introduced bill for North County lands in January Backcountry enthusiasts commonly take hikes like this one in 2010 to explore wilderness or proposed wilderness areas in the mountains of San Diego County. — John GastaldoU.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer on Monday introduced the Beauty Mountain and Agua Tibia Act of 2011, which would expand two existing wilderness areas in northern San Diego County. The bill is a Senate companion to legislation introduced in January and in the last Congress by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista. “By permanently protecting these natural treasures, we will ensure that future generations can continue to visit these places and revel in their scenic beauty while also boosting the tourism and recreation economy of San Diego County," Boxer, D-Calif., said in a statement. Her announcement came on the heels of a visit to the Beauty Mountain area on Saturday by David Hayes, deputy secretary of the U.S. Interior Department. He was on a fact-finding trip to support designations that have broad community and political support. To qualify for wilderness status, lands must already be federal property controlled by the Forest Service, the National Park Service and other agencies. Wilderness parcels generally exclude roads, buildings and power lines. After an area is designated as wilderness, the agencies can no longer reconfigure land-use plans to include development such as off-road vehicle courses, backcountry resorts and logging operations. The House and Senate bills would add more than 7,796 acres of public land to the existing Agua Tibia Wilderness and expand the Beauty Mountain Wilderness by an additional 13,635 acres. These areas are composed entirely of existing Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management properties, and are currently managed with wilderness-level protections. The legislation would ensure continued protections at the same level. Boxer's bill would also require the Bureau of Land Management to work closely with The Conservation Fund in order to build new recreational facilities at the Beauty Mountain Wilderness, allowing visitors more opportunities in that area. Conservationists praised the senator's move. “By introducing this companion legislation, Sen. Boxer honors the efforts of legions of volunteers who have worked for 15 years to establish wilderness protection in San Diego County,” said Geoffrey Smith of Wilderness4All, an organization which leads hikes into the area. Mike Lee: mike.lee@uniontrib.com; (619)293-2034; Follow on Twitter @sdutlee * * * * * * * * * * * * Source: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/sep/19/boxer-joins-push-san-diego-wilderness/  Written by12:17 p.m., Sept. 19, 2011
Updated 5:19 p.m.
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posted Aug 11, 2011 4:35 PM by Margaret Hill
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updated Sep 29, 2011 11:35 PM by Margaret Hill
]
11 August 2011: Black Oak Trail (in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park) will be closed along the west side of Middle Peak, from Milk Ranch Road to where it connects with the Middle Peak Fire Rd. There is a mastication contract going on in that area, so there will be lots of noise. We will be informed when the trail reopens.
Palomar Mountain and Cuyamaca Rancho SP
28 September 2011 (update): Black Oak Trail—East Branch: No reported issues. Black Oak Trail—West Branch: THIS TRAIL IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. |
posted Jun 9, 2011 1:38 PM by Margaret Hill
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updated Sep 10, 2011 12:33 AM
]
On Friday, 03 June 2011, the Ramona Grasslands Preserve was opened for public use following a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new staging area off of Highland Valley Road just east of Archie Moore Road.
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posted Mar 17, 2011 11:38 PM by Margaret Hill
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updated Mar 20, 2011 2:14 PM
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A grand opening, with ribbon cutting ceremony, was held on 11 March 2011 to celebrate and showcase over $10 million of expansion and improvements that have been completed at Sweetwater Summit Regional Park, including a new community center, 63 new campsites with full RV hookups, 2 new playgrounds, a splash park, a large pavilion, a multistation exercise circuit, and more.
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