CERRILLOS HILLS HISTORIC PARK

The group hiked the new proposed trail from the parking lot. We also reviewed the trails that extend North and South from the connection point of the new proposed trail. It was felt that it is time for CHPC & the County to create a policy governing the maintenance and creation and closure of trails.

1. PROPOSED TRAIL FROM THE PARKING LOT

--The new proposed trail from the parking lot is now being considered for hikers use only. There is concern that to make the steep climb accessible (also) for bikes & horses would be too impactive as the need for switch backs would cause long term maintenance problems & that it would also be visually damaging to the landscape. However, a more rugged trail for hikers could be considered. Joe r eported that neither Harold (Broken Saddle) or Joe feel comfortable with this trail for their purposes. Joe and Greta had to leave the group at this time for another appointment.

2. "WHITE ROCK CANYON TRAIL"

--We found the trail North and South to "pitch-fork" canyon, AKA, "white rock canyon", to be in serious instability. This trail, was made for horses aprox. Nov. of 1998, and travels along steep slopes that have, in the relatively short period, slipped badly in many places. There were some serious concerns about trying to maintain this trail. Faith warns about soft soils throughout the park and this canyon is a site of some of the parks most dramatic erosion even without the trail. Consensus was to recommend closing the trail as soon as possible while we decide if it is sustainable and make the area a high priority for restoration before rains make it a larger repair project.

--Joe thinks much of the trail problems are because they haven't been cut or etched into the hill sides. Joe further recommended this trail be made one-way exiting the park to cope with the narrow canyon mouth where pedestrians and riders may come into close proximity.

--In contrast, Ann and Ross would like pedestrians to be able to enter here as it is the only flat easy walk available up a canyon floor, and is more accessible to the village.

--Because of the rapid deterioration of parts of this trail (6 to 8 feet in some places) Joe decided to talk to Harold about using an alternate route while we all work out these difficulties. Joe reported that Harold agreed. Harold evidently also obtained commitments from horse groups that use the trail to help do trail work and agreed to "provisional" as a description of this trail's status.

March 4: Kiosk, fire ring ,picnic area, design meeting.

This group made initial decisions on placement of these different areas. Buck will design and make the kiosk, David will help on the construction of the fire ring performance space, and will make picnic tables. He would like a little back hoe work for erosion control near handicap path and thought a bobcat could make the path itself, some culverts may also be in order here. He thought a crew of 12 to 24 for 2 weeks would be needed to make the performance area. Ann would like to use glass gravel wherever possible and Buck would like us to consider where the fire wood comes from for the fire ring, scrapes from construction sites or salt cedar are a couple of ideas. We are planning to make the fire ring from dry stacking available rock. Joe Lehm although not in attendance, is concerned about heavy foot traffic in this area and would like graveled paths established as soon as possible.



March 11: First Healing Hands on Park lands.

In just 4 hours we constructed 21 check dams to control erosion above the new parking lot, in preparation for putting in the handicap path to the fire ring and picnic tables.