Bump and Grind Trail Closure - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

LYIN' KING · 01-26-2012, 02:17 PM

Finally! The boot is on the other foot and they don't like it . . .

Palm Desert — As hiker displeasure with the closure of a portion of the popular Bump and Grind trail continues to simmer, another trail closure controversy has erupted in the mountains above Palm Desert.

The federal Bureau of Land Management last week installed a sign prohibiting dogs on the uppermost half-mile of the Hopalong Cassidy trail to where a well-known landmark, a lighted cross, shines at night on private property in the Santa Rosa Mountains.

Like the closure of the top portion of the Bump and Grind trail, the BLM action is designed to protect endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep populations, said Jim Foote, manager of the San Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.

Another sign prohibiting dogs on the trail section was removed by vandals within the past year, Foote said.

“It's been concluded, and the scientific research supports, that dogs are viewed as predators by the bighorn sheep,” he said. “A recurrence of dogs in an area can lead sheep to abandon the area.”

Blaine Carian, a Bermuda Dunes resident and hiking enthusiast who leads a group attempting to get the top portion of the Bump and Grind trail reopened, said many who used to hike that trail with their dogs switched to “the hike to the cross” when the Bump and Grind was closed to dogs years ago.

“And here we go again,” Carian said.

Palm Desert resident Susan Harvey said she hikes to the top of the Hopalong trail almost daily.

“My dogs always come on the trail with me,” she said. “I think it's crazy we are having all of these trail closures, because it's such an attraction for the Coachella Valley. Just like the beach is an attraction for coastal areas, our mountains are a big attraction.”

Foote provided The Desert Sun with a memo on the issue of trail closures for dogs within the National Monument.

It cites scientific studies conducted in other areas showing bighorn sheep exhibit stress when encountering dogs, which they may mistake for coyotes. The stress can occur and affect the animals even if they don't flee at the sight of a dog, and it doesn't matter if the dog is leashed, according to the studies cited in the BLM memo.

Source: http://www.mydesert.com/article/2012...feds-escalates

Mad Machinist · 01-26-2012, 03:27 PM

Left a comment on how they should join with us on fighting these issues and took the time to introduce these people to Agenda 21.

LYIN' KING · 01-26-2012, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Machinist

Left a comment on how they should join with us on fighting these issues and took the time to introduce these people to Agenda 21.

While you were there, you could have given them another dose of reality regarding their dogs by pointing out Clintons 1999 Executive Order 13112 and its new "Directive" where dogs, cats, wheat, barley, rice, and domesticated livestock could be considered invasive alien species on our NFS land.

Mad Machinist · 01-26-2012, 08:52 PM

King,

Thanks for reminding me of that one.

I forgot about it.

Bebe · 01-26-2012, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Machinist

Left a comment on how they should join with us on fighting these issues and took the time to introduce these people to Agenda 21.

LOL - Get it on you.

01-26-2012, 02:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
LYIN' KING Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Member # 3975 Posts: 1,672	Bump and Grind Trail Closure Finally! The boot is on the other foot and they don't like it . . . Palm Desert — As hiker displeasure with the closure of a portion of the popular Bump and Grind trail continues to simmer, another trail closure controversy has erupted in the mountains above Palm Desert. The federal Bureau of Land Management last week installed a sign prohibiting dogs on the uppermost half-mile of the Hopalong Cassidy trail to where a well-known landmark, a lighted cross, shines at night on private property in the Santa Rosa Mountains. Like the closure of the top portion of the Bump and Grind trail, the BLM action is designed to protect endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep populations, said Jim Foote, manager of the San Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. Another sign prohibiting dogs on the trail section was removed by vandals within the past year, Foote said. “It's been concluded, and the scientific research supports, that dogs are viewed as predators by the bighorn sheep,” he said. “A recurrence of dogs in an area can lead sheep to abandon the area.” Blaine Carian, a Bermuda Dunes resident and hiking enthusiast who leads a group attempting to get the top portion of the Bump and Grind trail reopened, said many who used to hike that trail with their dogs switched to “the hike to the cross” when the Bump and Grind was closed to dogs years ago. “And here we go again,” Carian said. Palm Desert resident Susan Harvey said she hikes to the top of the Hopalong trail almost daily. “My dogs always come on the trail with me,” she said. “I think it's crazy we are having all of these trail closures, because it's such an attraction for the Coachella Valley. Just like the beach is an attraction for coastal areas, our mountains are a big attraction.” Foote provided The Desert Sun with a memo on the issue of trail closures for dogs within the National Monument. It cites scientific studies conducted in other areas showing bighorn sheep exhibit stress when encountering dogs, which they may mistake for coyotes. The stress can occur and affect the animals even if they don't flee at the sight of a dog, and it doesn't matter if the dog is leashed, according to the studies cited in the BLM memo. Source: http://www.mydesert.com/article/2012...feds-escalates

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01-26-2012, 03:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mad Machinist Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Member # 172378 Location: AZ Posts: 323	Left a comment on how they should join with us on fighting these issues and took the time to introduce these people to Agenda 21.

01-26-2012, 08:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mad Machinist Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Member # 172378 Location: AZ Posts: 323	King, Thanks for reminding me of that one. I forgot about it.