2001 January 13. Ranger Terry Ellis, the longtime District Ranger for the Los Angeles River District, retires. (ANF Supervisor's office)
February 7. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated 182,000 acres of Central and Southern California streams as critical habitat for the endangered Arroyo Toad. The critical habitat includes:
The designation takes effect on March 9, 2001, and could affect trails in these areas and development of Hahamongna Watershed Park. For more information, see Arroyo Seco Foundation News and the official designation (PDF).
- 5.9 miles of the Arroyo Seco Stream from Long Canyon to the Devils Gate Reservoir;
- 8 miles of upper Big Tujunga Creek from immediately above Big Tujunga Reservoir upstream to 1.2 mi above the confluence with Alder Creek;
- 3.7 miles of Mill Creek from the Monte Cristo Creek confluence downstream to Big Tujunga Creek; and
- 1.9 miles of Alder Creek from the Mule Fork confluence downstream to Big Tujunga Creek.
- 5.9 miles of Little Rock Creek and adjacent uplands, from the South Fork confluence downstream to the upper end of Little Rock Reservoir (in the vicinity of Rocky Point Picnic Ground), and approximately 1.1 miles of Santiago Creek and adjacent uplands upstream from the confluence with Little Rock Creek.
13. The Angeles Crest Highway was closed 2.2 miles north of I-210 (i.e., nearly at the very beginning) for a few days due to landslides. There were apparently 3-4 avalanches, larger than an earlier avalanche that was 20' deep across 100-200' of the road, that required Caltrans to bring in heavy earthmoving equipment.
March 1. Crystal Lake Campground closed until a new permit is issued to a new concessionaire. The Campground will remain accessible on a walk-in basis to access the lake and trailheads. (March 2001 Recreation Update)
May. Individual Forests given the option of following the 1982 or the 2000 Forest planning regulations until the Forest Update Plan is complete for that Forest. (ANF website)
25. The winter closure of the Angeles Crest Highway ends.
June. Crystal Lake Campground reopened under the Adventure Pass program. No reservations; first come, first served. The Adventure Pass covers to day use fee; and gives you a $2 discount on the $12 overnight camping fee. (June 2001 Recreation Update)
July. Manzanita Trail is rehabilitated, and is now in better shape than it has been in years. (TC)
Jones & Stokes receive contract for an environmental assessment to mitigate the rock debris in Rubio Canyon.
August. Forest Road Inventory maps updated, incorporating feedback from public workshops and additional work by the Forest Service. (ANF website)
The connection trail between the Bailey Canyon Trail at Jones Peak and the Mt. Wilson Trail is now open in good condition, thanks to the Sierra Madre Trail Blazers. (David Sotnick)
1. Rocky Point and Sage campgrounds in the Littlerock Recreation Area are converted to Day Use / Picnic Sites. The Littlerock Recreation area will remain a Day Use / Picnic Sites area due to vandalism and public safety. (November 2001 Recreation Update)
27. Public Open house held to receive public input on the current environmental condition in Rubio Canyon.
October 26. A lawsuit settlement requires the current owner of the ex-Huntington Estate parcel at the mouth of Rubio Canyon, Mr. Sameer Etman, or his successors, to dedicate four trails, the "Rubio Right-of-Way Trail" (1892), the "Camp Huntington Trail" (1942), the "Lone Tree Trail" (Original, 1888),and the "Lone Tree-Rubio Pavilion Trail" (1893), to public use, either by inclusion in a tract map, or by direct recordation of an easement, within 12 months. (Paul Ayers)
29. Second public Open house held to receive public input on the current environmental condition in Rubio Canyon.
November. Chilao Visitor Center reopens, after reconstruction due to snow damage. (November 2001 Recreation Update) However, it was not yet open as of November 9. (JS)
The two washouts on the Gabrielino Trail around the waterfall in Santa Anita Canyon are repaired. (November 2001 Recreation Update)
26. Deadline for public comments regarding mitigation alternatives for Rubio Canyon. Send email to rubiocanyon@hotmail.com.
December 10. The ANF Supervisor's office confirms that the Chilao Visitor Center is indeed open again now.
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Copyright © 1998-2002 by Tom Chester and Jane Strong.
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Updated 9 October 2002.