CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Trail recommendations

General recommendations are presented below to reduce the impact of fluvial and recreation-related erosion on the trail system in Joaquin Miller Park. Specific recommendations for mitigating each erosion feature are presented in Appendix A. Possible mitigation measures to reduce fluvial erosion include:

• Install water bars or repair existing water bars to redirect runoff off trails.
• Redirect ephemeral streams to natural channels.
• Install in board ditches and ditch relief culverts to help drain trails.
• Clean or replace old culverts.
• Replace fill crossings with bridge or rolling dip crossings.
• Regrade trails where deep gullying has taken place.

We note that several established trails have excessively steep gradients and poor alignment, making them both challenging for users and susceptible to erosion. Examples of such trails are the Cinderella Trail, Upper Palos Colorados Trail and the Fern Trail. A long term goal, should funding become available, might be to rebuild these trails incorporating switchbacks to reduce gradient and wooden or stone steps where switchbacks are impractical.

To reduce recreation-related erosion on the trail system, we recommend that off trail or "bootleg" tracks be physically blocked off and signed. The split rail fences that were recently installed on the Sequoia Bayview Trail are an example of an effective barrier. These fences should be maintained regularly, and their effectiveness monitored. Other types of barriers include placement of large rocks, piles of debris, and large logs. All such barriers should be attractive and be seen to fit in with the natural environment. They should divert attention away from the tracks and onto the main trail. Tracks should be blocked off at both uphill and downhill ends. Restoration activities may help to reverse some of the impacts of these trails.