Wrightwood Trails

[Chesslike]

Clint, I knew my old law books would come in handy.

No use by any person or persons, no matter how long continued, of any land, shall ever ripen into an easement by prescription, if the owner of such property posts at each entrance to the property or at intervals of not more than 200 feet along the boundry a sign reading substantially as follows: "Right to pass by permission, and subject to control, of owner: Section 1008, Civil Code."

Do you have some property you need to protect? I sure hope you do not own 3 levels.

[clint]

Uh, O.K. where does that say that you have the right to pass if it's not posted, and where does that say that a "prescriptive easement automatically occurs after X number of years?

And no, thankfully I don't own the levels. But if I did, Ii would be fenced and posted. Or better yet used for something like a riding stable.

What's the date on the reference material you quoted? The penal code section covering criminal trespass is 602.

[Chesslike]

Uh, O.K. where does that say that you have the right to pass if it's not posted, and where does that say that a "prescriptive easement automatically occurs after X number of years?

And no, thankfully I don't own the levels. But if I did, Ii would be fenced and posted. Or better yet used for something like a riding stable.

What's the date on the reference material you quoted? The penal code section covering criminal trespass is 602.

I think one of my posts left out some words, so let me clear up any misunderstandings. KC was right and I did mention in other posts that presciptive easements need to be aquired. This does not happen automatically and must be obtained through the courts. Now this only becomes necessary if the person stops the person or persons from doing what they were doing for the required 5 years in California. (It is 30 years in Texas, so prescriptive easements are extremely rare in Texas )

I checked and the material I quoted is current as of 2003.

You mention PC 602, which section are you refering to as it is quite long with many subsections? Criminal trespass really has more to do damaging property, breaking gates and fences, stealing, driving a vehicle onto or generally disturbing and destroying plants,crops and real property. The law does not usually recognize recreational use of land as criminal trespass unless damage is intentionally done or if there are signs stating no trespass at EVERY trail path or road entering the land and I think at least 3 to a mile of boundry. Also if the owner gives you verbal orders to stay off their land and you refuse to vacate. As a matter of fact, California actually encourages recreational use of private lands to supplement what is available on public lands, which is spelled out in section 1009 of the civil code.  

I know you are concened with the youth and adults as well respecting property rights, but the bottom line is that recreational use of private property is lawful and encouraged by the state unless the owners take the above mentioned steps to prohibit its use. This all comes back to the trails through the water co. property that started all this, they are obviously OK with the public using them respectfully and I think you should be also..

[Wrightwood]

WW from your map I would say the waterfalls would be in Government Canyon as that shows a water tank at the mouth of the canyon. There are actually two tanks there and one looks like it could be a million gallon tank.

We were on Hwy2 today noticed the two tanks at the bottom of Government Canyon. The reason I had said Buford Canyon was that is the canyon closest to Swallow Dr. If I understand it right, your actually going past Buford Canyon and then heading up Government Canyon.

[Chesslike]

We were on Hwy2 today noticed the two tanks at the bottom of Government Canyon. The reason I had said Buford Canyon was that is the canyon closest to Swallow Dr. If I understand it right, your actually going past Buford Canyon and then heading up Government Canyon.

That is correct WW. Are you planning to take any pictures up there? I don't remember if you mentioned in any of your posts whether you are a hiker or not, but I suggest that you bring a walking stick for some of the steeper areas of the hike and to chase off the flies and gnats which are out in abundance this year.

[Wrightwood]

That is correct WW. Are you planning to take any pictures up there? I don't remember if you mentioned in any of your posts whether you are a hiker or not, but I suggest that you bring a walking stick for some of the steeper areas of the hike and to chase off the flies and gnats which are out in abundance this year.

Chesslike,
If we do hike the Acorn Trail the camera will also go  [smiley=sweatdrop.gif]

During a recent hike on the PCT this picture was taken looking down on the Acorn Trail. (Far right you can see one of the many switch backs)



Trail marker on top of Blue Ridge.

[Chesslike]

The Guffy Trail is easier to find going down from Guffy Camp. If you want to find it from Lark, go up Lark past the last curve, where it gets really steep. On the left, there's a gate & a (sometimes vague) road between houses. (The trail is not maintained.) Go around the gate & up the road. If you stay about on the top of the ridge, you meet up with the trail (which was fixed up by the U.S. Fosrest Srevice after one of the recent fires).
* NOTE * I haven't been on it in a year or so, so the access may have changed.
The trail goes up along the west side of one of the slides to Guffy Camp. In some places, you get a LITTLE too close to the edge of the slide and the trail is undermined. Avoid these spots, or name me as a beneficiary.
Just below Guffy, there's a small cinder block building on the west side that houses a spring. Quail are ususally abundant in the area.
Please let the rest of us know if the landscape has changed. Happy hiking!

Nolena,

Today I hiked the Acorn Trail to the top and then over to Guffy. I thought I remembered you saying the spring was to the south of Guffy (my mistake) and could not find it. I met an older couple up there that had hiked over from Blue Ridge and they pointed me in the right direction, which was northwest  of Guffy. WW will be happy to know that we began talking about this website and they told me that they knew about it and had read posts about the hiking trails and that they lived in the valley. After my dog got a drink from the spring or should I say the puddle from the trickeling pipe next to the old pumphouse (does anyone know where the water in the pipe comes from?), I decided to try the Guffy Trail that you mentioned. I would not reccomend this to anyone, as the trail was so narrow in places that two field mice would be crowded. The trail also had many burned trees and fallen trees across the trail. The trail also disappeared altogether through the middle third of its length and had many areas of loose footing. The view was quite nice and the bright green water of the Country Club was a nice sight to see most of the way down and also the house above and to the west of the Sunshine chuch built a very nice pool. When I got near the bottom there were signs all over stating private property no tresspassing, my appologies to Clint, but after 5 hours of hiking I was not  about to hike back up. I think we should cross this off of our hiking trails. [smiley=2cents.gif]

[Wrightwood]

Chesslike,

thanks for a good report.

[Nolena]

Chesslike,
Thanks for the info. on the Guffy Trail. I haven't been on it in years. The only time it ever gets maintained is when there's a fire & a crew works on it for their access. So much for hiking that one.

[Chesslike]

As of this morning, the waterfalls in Government Canyon are still flowing at about 65 to 70 percent of what they were two weeks ago. The stream has slowed to a trickle where it goes underground up from the pump house. I would have to say that this is one of the most special places in Wrightwood to get away from it all and to collect your thoughts. With water being such a precious commodity up hear, the sound of the running stream and the numerous small reflecting (or is it reflective?) pools and the sight of the water falling over the falls is just inspiring. The plant life up there has just exploded (along with the bugs) and is beginning to cover the trail along the stream. The animal life was also out in full force with lots of Quail, Jays, chipmunks (or are those ground squirrels?), gray squirrels, a couple cottontails, lambs and ducks (actually the lambs and ducks are in someone's yard on Swallow Dr.). Makes for a most pleasant morning.

[Chesslike]

OK Clint,

You got me thinking, so I broke out my huge dictionary and guess what? Reflecting...given to reflection; meditative; reflective; as, a reflecting mind. Reflective... exercising thought or reflection; meditative; thoughtful. I don't know  about you , but that sounds like six of one or half a dozen of another. Isn't the english language grand

[Nolena]

But, back to trails. Has anyone gone down into Prairie Flats & then gone down to the Fish Creek area? Is the fishing good there? How're the trails?

[Jilly]

I had posted in Hot Topics and was directed to this forum instead.  However, I don't think that my question was answered.  What access do we have to Acorn trail where we don't cross private property?  Obviously Acorn Trail is a popular trail with the locals and with PCT hikers coming into town for supplies.  One of the residents on Acorn rd. makes passing in front of her house a very unfriendly experience.  I have encountered her both on foot, hiking up from the bottom of Acorn Rd. and when just dropping off at the end of the road.  Is she right to be accosting me--meaning does she have the law on her side?  I would love to find a different route--but it sounds like going through camp MariaStella is also trespassing.  I love hiking this trail, and don't want to give it up--but seriously I can't stand the stress of the conflict.  I can't imagine that I'm the only hiker that she has attacked--she told me that she yells at 60 hikers a day.  What an unfriendly welcome for the PCT hikers!

[StewABunny]

MountainMom,

My husband and I are on the same quest.  We have also had the misfortune of meeting up with the woman at the end of Acorn.   So we have been looking for a way to get to the trail without going anywhere near the shrew.  We live on Sycamore and if you walk straight up to the wash then turn right and follow it you come to a spot where you can cross to the other side.  It is just passed where the wash curves to the left.  You come to a trail head on the other side.  But after a point the trail all but disappears and the trek is straight up.  At one point you come to a large outcrop of boulder with loose rock all around.  We have tried to climb up and over this section but have never made it.  Last time my husband almost went down to the start of the trail the hard way.  But it would have been less painful then crossing paths with the "Acorn Trail Shrew".  If we find a way to the Acorn trail I'll send you a post.  Please do the same if you are successful.  Good Luck and Safe Hiking.

[WWHead]

[catrunr]

Yikes!  What does this women do at the start of the Angeles Crest 100 when 150 or so runners pass in front of her house?!!

(My first post!  Don't live in the area, but love visiting Wrightwood and am in charge of an aid station at this year's AC100.)

Eileen

[Jilly]

[Nolena]

Imagine how much energy goes into being that negative, and making herself so angry.    How happy she could be if she put even a portion of that effort into friendliness. She's yelled at me, too, and I just smile at her and keep walking. She doesn't see me...just another person to hate. Something pretty bad probably happened to her to make her that way (unless it's a physical problem). What if we started bringing her flowers or something? There must be some strategy that could sneak up & get around her anger. I think it's important not to react to her anger...that would just be buying into (and feeding) her problem. In the mean time, keep hiking!

[rmekemson]

Nolena, I need to agree.  Anger that is met with anger will only breed more anger.  You need to feel some concern and sympathy for those of God's children who have apparently had some personality altering negative experiences.  Just keep on hiking and let the verbal barrage go in one ear and out the other.  Verbal confrontations will only result in more negativity.

[WWHillbilly]

her home's for sale !