Restricted Vivian Creek TH access

Ellen · Post by **Ellen** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 11:55 am

Howdy All

I was very disturbed to discover that Kathy Wing's earlier posts about the restricted access to Vivian had been removed from the San Gorgonio discussion board.

There is now a locked gate that is only open between 6 AM and 10 PM. If one tries to park off the road anywhere near the locked gate, they will be fined and/or towed.

I would like to start a petition to improve the access to Vivian creek TH. I will submit the petition to the forest service and local government officials.

I have posted my intention on the San Gorgonio discussion board but am also posting here.

Please let me know if you support having 24 hour access to the Vivian creek TH. I'll start gathering names.

Miles of smiles and thanks,

Ellen Coleman
EColemanRD at aol dot com

longcut · Post by **longcut** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 12:58 pm

Please add my name to the list. thanks Ellen!

Post by **tekewin** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 1:40 pm

I emailed you my name for the list. Thanks for taking action on this. I've been following the threads on the San Gorgonio forum.

I haven't needed to access it before 6:00 am yet, but I might want to some day and I don't understand the desire to lock it up, especially for people coming back late.

hvydrt · Post by **hvydrt** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 2:58 pm

It would be nice if you could do a web based petition. Would probably get a lot more people to sign, and be much easier. Something like this: http://www.change.org/petition

Post by **HikeUp** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 10:01 pm

Reminds me of Chantry Flats. Access is restricted. I don't know why Chantry is restricted but I am guessing it is because of abuse. Also guessing that the same abuse occurs at Vivian.

Just saying so because there might be precedent.

Ellen · Post by **Ellen** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 6:15 pm

Howdy All,

Thanks so much to hvydrt for suggesting the on-line petition. If you agree that the locked gate should be removed, please sign:

http://www.change.org/petitions/us-depa ... orest-fall

I will also file a formal complaint to the USDA San Bernardino National Forest.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

hvydrt · Post by **hvydrt** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 7:04 pm

Good job Ellen. Thanks!

Post by **Uncle Rico** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 6:20 am

I'm in. Thx Ellen.

Post by **Sean** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 1:37 pm

Can you still park in the lot for the picnic area/falls? Or is that locked too?

Ellen · Post by **Ellen** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 1:46 pm

Howdy Sean

The kiosk and gate are at the entry to parking for the picnic area, which is slightly below the parking area for Vivian creek trailhead.

I first discovered the locked gate (10 PM to 6 AM), when Sally and I tried to start hiking from Vivian at 5:30 AM. We looked for parking down the road, but saw that we would be cited and or towed if we parked anywhere close.

While the forest service may have the authority to close a picnic area between 10 PM and 6 AM, they are ignoring the fact that the parking lot is used for BOTH trailhead parking and for the picinc area.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

Ellen · Post by **Ellen** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 1:46 pm

Howdy All

If you support the petition, please share it with your hiking friends and hiking clubs.

If you use Facebook and support the petition, please share the link:

http://www.change.org/petitions/us-depa ... orest-fall

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

Post by **Taco** » Sat Sep 14, 2013 8:17 pm

Signed 8)

RichardK · Post by **RichardK** » Sat Sep 14, 2013 8:48 pm

We ran into lilbitmo on the trail today. He explained the situation. I'm signed.

Ellen · Post by **Ellen** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 3:20 pm

Howdy All

I've received excellent suggestions from an individual who worked in the San Gorgonio Ranger district in Fire for 20 years. He suggested taking the complaint (restricted trailhead access) up the chain of command:

Alfredo Zarate, Assistant Recreation Officer
Melinda Lyon, Recreation Officer
Gabe Garcia, District Ranger
Jody Noiron, Forest Supervisor
Randy Moore, Regional Forester
Tom Tidwell, Chief

Hikin' Jim has already given us contact info for Mr. Garcia.

Mr. Gabe Garcia, District Ranger
United States Forest Service
34701 Mill Creek Road
Mentone, CA 92359
(909) 382-2851

I'll have to look up contact information for the other folks.

If the chain is unresponsive, move on to congressional representatvies.

I'd like to have 200 signatures before starting the writing compaign. Currently have 154 signatures.

Miles of smiles and thanks,
Ellen

yobtaf · Post by **yobtaf** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 3:41 pm

done, thanks for doing this!

mcphersonm80 · Post by **mcphersonm80** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 6:47 pm

Signed and spreading the word.

Ellen · Post by **Ellen** » Thu Sep 19, 2013 9:55 am

Howdy All

Only need 14 more signatures to reach 200, then I will submit a formal written complaint and move up the chain of command.

Miles of smilles and thanks,
Ellen

Phil B · Post by **Phil B** » Fri Sep 20, 2013 6:49 am

Ellen, Thanks for bringing this issue up, it's very important to have freedom of movement at our trailheads. Sometimes I wonder just who comes up with some of these ideas. Have signed and support you.

Cheers Phil

Ellen · Post by **Ellen** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 12:26 pm

Howdy All,

Now that I have over 200 signatures, I've submitted a formal complaint via e-mail with the San Bernardino National Forest. I will also send this by US mail.

If I don't hear anything back within a reasonable time period (middle of next week), I will move up the chain of command to:

Randy Moore, Regional Forester rmoore@fs.fed.us
Tom Tidwell, Chief ttidwell@fs.fed.us

Thanks for your help everyone

Here's my letter:

---------------------------------------

San Bernardino National Forest

Alfredo Zarate, Assistant Recreation Officer azarate@fs.fed.us
Melinda Lyon, Recreation Officer mlyon@fs.fed.us
Gabe Garcia, District Ranger ggarcia01@fs.fed.us
Jody Noiron, Forest Supervisor jnoiron@fs.fed.us
John Exline, Deputy Forest Supervisor
jexline@fs.fed.us

Gentlepeople,

My friends and I frequently hike in the San Gorgonio wilderness and were very disturbed to find that parking at the Vivian Creek trailhead is now restricted to the hours between 6 AM and 10 PM.

We understand that the decision to restrict access was to decrease vandalism in the Forest Falls picnic area. However, the gate restricts access to the Vivian Creek trailhead as well as the picnic area. Vivian Creek is the most popular trail in the San Gorgonio wilderness. The restricted access creates numerous safety concerns for hikers.

We have over 200 signatures to remove the locked gate:

http://www.change.org/petitions/us-depa ... orest-fall

We want to find a solution acceptable to Forest Falls residents, Forest Service, hikers and the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association.

Possible solutions:
1) Camp host opens gate earlier -- say 4 AM.
2) Issue gate codes to hikers who have wilderness permits and adventure passes. Such codes could change weekly.
3) Security cameras for license plates and visual identification of offenders.

Gate codes and/or security cameras may be more cost effective than a camp host.

We look forward to your timely response.

Miles of smiles,

Ellen Coleman