USFS No Longer requires hikers to buy "Adventure Pass"

[Elk]

FOREST SERVICE WILL NO LONGER REQUIRE CALIFORNIA HIKERS TO BUY AN "ADVENTURE PASS" FOR TRAIL ACCESS   

Legal settlement establishes fee-free parking within 1/2 mile of trailheads, even if amenities are provided. 

Under a  settlement agreement between four southern California hikers and the US Forest Service, people who want to access trails without using any developed amenities will no longer have to purchase and display an "Adventure Pass" in order to park their car at trailheads on the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres, and San Bernardino National Forests.

"This is a huge win, not only in southern California but in many other places where the Forest Service assumes that anyone parked near developed amenities is using them and owes a fee for that use," said Kitty Benzar, president of the Western Slope No-Fee Coalition, who advised the hikers over the course of their lawsuit.

Read the whole story here: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1103044050286&ca=37e28bf1-db53-497c-ae92-54e4eff84830

List of free trailhead parking areas on the Angeles NF:
6000' Day Use Area
Buckhorn Station Day Use Area
Burkhardt Trailhead
Chantry Flats Day Use
Charlton Flat Day Use
Chialo Picnic Area
Colby Bridge Day Use
Delta Flat Day Use
Devil's Canyon Day Use Area
Eagle Roost Day Use Area
East Fork
Gassy Hollow Picnic
Icehouse Trailhead
Indian Canyon Trailhead
Inspiration Point
Islip Saddle Day Use
Jarvi Memorial Day Use
Mill Creek Summit Picnic
Millard Day Use
Mt. Pacifico Trailhead
North Fork Picnic
Oak Springs Picnic
Oak Springs Trailhead
Piru Ponds Day Use
Pony Park Day Use
Red Box Picnic
Skyline Park
Stonyvale Day Use
Switzer's Picnic
Three Points Day Use
Upper Bear Creek
Vincent's Gap
Vogel Flat Day Use
West Fork Trailhead
Wildwood Day Use
Wilson Saddle
Windy Gap (Little Jimmy) Trailhead

[Wrightwood]

I wonder if the new signs will be paid for out of existing Adventure Pass funds?

The Forest Service will install signage at each site indicating the boundary of the amenity fee area, and parking outside the boundary, within 1/2 mile of the trailhead, will not require an Adventure Pass.

[RobertW]

Some might read that an Adventure Pass is NOT required at trailheads even if they have amenities.  That is NOT what the settlement agreement stated.  The Forest Service will provide FEE FREE parking (a separate parking area or turnout) within 1/2 mile of the trailhead for those who aren't interested in using the amenities.  The Forest Service will provide signs showing where the FEE area starts and ends near each trailhead such as those in the list that are in our area of the Forest and can not enforce the Adventure Pass at these locations until the signs are in place.

BTW, pending this Settlement Agreement we have not been citing Adventure Pass violators for over a year at these trailheads, including Vincent Gap, Inspiration Point, Grassy Hollow and Islip Saddle.  We have been only enforcing it at the non-concession campgrounds.  The all inclusive FEE "AREA" between Jackson Lake, Mt. High East and Vincent Gap has been done away with.  The whole spirit of the ruling is that a person shouldn't have to go and buy an Adventure Pass if they want to just park and go hiking in the forest.  But the Adventure Pass is an invaluable means of funding, paying for the amenities such as toilet paper, paint for graffiti, trash cans, picnic tables, sign boards and signage. These things are not a part of the budget the Forest Service receives via congress.   

[Cheapskate]

Robert,

I don't know you...but if you volunteer at Grassy Hollow or the ranger station, thank you.

I think this is the "essential problem" when the federal gov't declares land public (or, less charitably, "seizes" the land).  If access isn't limited by a gate across the road (like it is in Yellowstone, Zion, Yosemite, etc) it is very difficult to collect fees in a manner consistent with the 4th and 5th amendments to our founding document.

I suppose I have a question:  how did we become a Nat'l Forest?  Did some President in the past simply decree it outside of Congress?  If so, I guess that explains why the very few amenities are virtually unfunded.

[ForestGal]

I'm still trying to sort this out completely.  I noticed that Dawson Saddle is not on the list.  There are no amenities at that trailhead, does this mean that an Adventure Pass WILL still be required to park there? 

BTW, I loved the typo for Grassy Hollow - it is listed as "Gassy Hollow".   

[Grassy Hollow]

Nothing has changed. You still need a pass just not at trailheads with no amentities. You still need for camping in the free forest service campgrounds and many other locations. This article is freaking people out. Most didn't buy the pass anyway so whats the problem. This forest is here for you to enjoy so please go enjoy it.

[Cheapskate]

Does the "fee free" area near Grassy Hollow already exist?  Is it already marked along Hwy 2?  If not, when do you think?  Thanks.

[RobertW]

I suppose I have a question:  how did we become a Nat'l Forest?  Did some President in the past simply decree it outside of Congress?  If so, I guess that explains why the very few amenities are virtually unfunded.

The Angeles National Forest is registered as California Historical Landmark #717, for being the first National Forest in the state.

The San Gabriel Forest Reserve was established on December 20, 1892, the San Bernardino Forest Reserve on February 25, 1893, and the Santa Barbara Forest Reserve on December 22, 1903. They became National Forests on March 4, 1907, and they were combined on July 1, 1908, with all of the San Bernardino forest and portions of San Gabriel forest and Santa Barbara forest composing the new Angeles National Forest. On September 30, 1925, portions of the Angeles National Forest and the Cleveland National Forest were detached to re-establish the San Bernardino National Forest.

[RobertW]

Does the "fee free" area near Grassy Hollow already exist?  Is it already marked along Hwy 2?  If not, when do you think?  Thanks.

It does exist but it is not marked.  Obviously the parking area for the Visitor Center is FEE FREE, as you are just visiting the Visitor Center.  The area below the gate near Hwy 2 is also FEE FREE parking.  An Adventure Pass is only needed if you are parked in the parking spurs that have the picnic tables, BBQs etc., as you are using Amenities provided by the USFS.

[RobertW]

I'm still trying to sort this out completely.  I noticed that Dawson Saddle is not on the list.  There are no amenities at that trailhead, does this mean that an Adventure Pass WILL still be required to park there? 

Dawson Saddle is in the Big Pines Ranger Station patrol area, (area 38).  You do NOT need an Adventure Pass at that location.