Mount Laguna Trails Restoration Project
RESOURCES
The Cleveland National Forest, federally managed by the US Forest Service, is home to many of the most popular backcountry trails in the county.
The Cleveland National Forest (CNF) is made up of three districts.
- Descanso District (Laguna Mountain Recreation Area, Noble Canyon, Corral Canyon, etc),
- Palomar District (Mount Palomar, Pamo Valley, etc.)
- Trabuco District in Orange County (Holy Jim Trail, etc.)
SDMBA holds a Memorandum of Understanding, a Volunteer Service Agreement, and a Cost Share Agreement with the CNF which help give a solid foundation for our partnership and any work that is planned and implemented. SDMBA volunteers have worked on regular trail maintenance and trimming for decades. Volunteer Trail Days are planned throughout the year on various projects in the Descanso District.
Below are some of our efforts which are in various stages of the long-term advocacy and implementation processes.
Descanso District: Laguna Mountain Trails Restoration Project
SDMBA has worked closely with the staff of the Cleveland National Forest since 2016 on this major effort to bring the Laguna Mountain Trails Restoration Project to life! This project includes many trail and infrastructure improvements which will take several years to complete. There are plans for new trails, reroutes and more that will not only improve the trail user experience but also project natural and cultural resources.
Read the complete Cleveland National Forest Laguna Mountain Trails Restoration Project Document HERE.
Letter of Support submitted by SDMBA with many of our valued partners signing on in support of more and better trails for Mount Laguna.
The purpose of the project is to improve recreational infrastructure within the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area of the Descanso Ranger District on the Cleveland National Forest. This project will improve recreational infrastructure to accommodate the growing demands of the public and reduce recreational impacts on critical natural and cultural resources.
Some highlights include:
- NEW TRAILS: Construction of 7.96 miles of new trails including alignments from Penny Pines to Pioneer Mail and then on to Lucky 5 on the west side of Sunrise Highway which will include a partnership with Anza Borrego State Park
- SANCTIONED Legacy Trail: Approves some currently unsanctioned trails to be brought into the system (such as the Luge Trail on Wooded Hill)
- REROUTES: Reroute designated unsustainable alignments out of the meadow or away from other sensitive areas to improve trail user experience and protect resources
- MTB OPTIMIZED TRAILS: Inclusion of limited mountain bike only trails some of which include features as well as directional signage.
- PROTECT: Reduce the overall impacts on critical natural and cultural resources which includes installing boardwalks or bridges or utilizing other techniques to protect surrounding habitat when reroutes are not indicated.
- NEW SIGNAGE: Design and Install comprehensive trail signage
July 2016: Descanso Ranger District Recreation Officer invited to SDMBA Advocacy meeting.
February 2017: SDMBA approached Descanso Ranger District with an interest in working on improving the Mount Laguna trail system
March 2017-March 2018: several proposal were created, ground-truthed, presented, modified, enhanced, removed and rendered.
April 2018: $15,000 REI Grant awarded to SDMBA to support this project and help fund planning and necessary studies.
May 2018: agreement reached on scope and scale of proposed project for Mt. Laguna enhancements between Descanso Ranger District and SDMBA.
October 2018: Forest Service starts the NEPA review process. SDMBA enters into a formal collection agreement with the Forest Service. This agreement will allow SDMBA to provide the funds to pay for all the USFS staff time relating to this proposal in addition to our existing volunteer agreement and commitment to assist the Forest Service in implementing these projects.
2019: USFS specialists are continuing to work on the NEPA review process. This government staff time is being funded by funds raised by SDMBA supporters at the Mount Laguna Trail Fest events.
August 2019: Descanso staff attends SDMBA board meeting to give update of the project.
2022: Limited scoping and comment period completed in August.
SDMBA continues to work with other stakeholders on the status of the project as well as begin search for funding including applying for grants.
2024: USFS Staff works with SDMBA to implement first project of the larger plan - the boardwalk at Kemp Spur.
The SDMBA Professional Trail Crew finished this significant project in three weeks! We thank the Cleveland National Forest Staff for their support and also the fire crews who lent their strong hands to the effort. The 338 foot long boardwalk, completed in early September, is located along the southern segment of the Big Laguna Trail. Now, trail users will be able to traverse this area, even in the wet season, and the meadow will be protected!
The innovative use of galvanized steel ground screws allowed for faster and less impactful installation and will provide extra longevity and sustainability. This 5 foot wide boardwalk will accommodate all trail users - hikers, cyclists, adaptive MTB's and equestrians.
This project was made possible thanks to state funding secured by Senator Brian Jones along with proceeds from the Mount Laguna Trail Fest and individual donations. We also thank our friends at Stop Digging, La Mesa Lumber, Ironclad, San Diego Ultra Running Friends, SD 100 and the Lakeside Frontier Riders for their additional support of this project.
SDMBA is currently working with USFS Staff to set next priority project from the overall plan.
