Forest Service Closes Popular Hiking, Biking, Horse Trails: May Valley Area

Authorities plan to close an area southeast of Idyllwild that is popular with hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders "to reduce sediment flow into area lakes and drinking water," the Forest Service announced Tuesday.

The May Valley area near Herkey Creek, north of Lake Hemet, is especially popular among mountain bikers, and part of the area has been used for the annual Idyllwild Spring Challenge Race, and a 24-hour race enthusiasts describe as "epic" and "world-class."

Without mentioning the word "erosion," the Forest Service issued a statement Tuesday that said in part:

"Increased sediment flow identified in the old roadbeds locally called Coyote Run, Herkey Creek Climb, and Upper and Lower Exfoliator is prompting Forest officials to issue a temporary closure to these areas and the surrounding areas - 200 feet from either side of centerline - to public use."

At IdyllwildCycling.com, the page for the May 5-6 Idyllwild Spring Challenge includes the following:

"This year there will be some changes to the Idyllwild Spring Challenge. Due to a temporary closure of some trails in May Valley, the Cross Country course will be slightly altered at the end. This closure will hopefully be of short duration as the Forest Service plans to fix some erosion problems."

The Forest Service on Tuesday suggested alternatives for public recreation activities in the area, including Ramona Trail, Thomas Mt. Road, South Ridge Road, and May Valley Road.

"We don't take closures of any kind lightly," District Ranger Laurie Rosenthal said in a prepared statement. "But we certainly see the sediment issue and need to take mitigating steps toward protecting our valuable water resources in the area."

According to the Forest Service, officials have met with local and national groups to explore long term solutions, including a "more comprehensive and sanctioned May Valley Trail System."

A number of old, unclassified roadbeds established by ranchers weave across the May Valley area, according to the Forest Service. Many of the old roadbeds and their drainage features have not been maintained, and the drainage features have eroded.

"Visitors frequently use the old roadbeds for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use," Forest Service officials said. "The recreation use on these old road beds contributes to the sedimentation of Herkey Creek by loosening the surface soil.

"Herkey Creek is an intermittent stream and tributary in the watershed contributing to Lake Hemet, Canyon Lake and Lake Elsinore."

The San Bernardino National Forest covers a mountain and desert area from Mt. Baldy on the L.A. County line and Cucamonga Peak to both sides of the San Gorgonio Pass, and southeast into the Santa Rosa Mountains. It is comprised of three Ranger Districts spanning more than 1,000 square miles in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf.