2018 Black Mountain Summer Update
SDMBA continues its strong alliance with the proud team of rangers at Black Mountain. While the 2017 build season was a bit of a bust due to a lack of sustained moisture, we want to make you aware of the following successes and subsequent plans: The final resolution has been reached on the arsenic exposure on Miner’s Ridge during the late spring of this year. The Ranger staff has installed a couple short sections of gravel filled road mats that effectively keep the highest concentration of dirt contained. All trails on Black Mountain are now open for use. First official flagging of the new Black Widow alignment will begin in late summer. The final plan was approved in March of 2018 but the nesting season for the California Gnatcatcher, a federally protected bird began during the same month so no building or flagging was allowed. Now that the nesting season is nearing the end, some corridor brushing may occur in the fall with the major work conducted once the wet season (build season) arrives. Watch for upcoming announcements. Formal trails requests will be submitted to the city this summer to extend the Manzanita Loop to the north and also include a connector to the valley below on the north side of the open space, a connector to the easy on Cuca Street from Manazinta, and a new alignment out of Hilltop park to replace the very eroded service road leading straight up the hill. A new alliance has been formed between the Estate’s HOA (Mansion estate homes directly north of the Miner’s Ridge parking lot) and the Black Mountain Trail liaison. The Estates are seeking trails to link up their property with Black Mountain. An alignment that will start in the bottom of Lusardi and wind its way through the community, ultimately ending at the bottom of the Carmel Valley Rd bridge/Ahwee trail is being looked at. The HOA is on board and SDMBA and the HOA is actively working with the city for permitting of the portion of the trail that crosses into Open Space land. This will be a great replacement for the original Lusardi climb lost to the construction of the Estate homes. Senior Ranger Ed Christensen is looking to start the Lusardi Management Plan. While no immediate time plans have been developed, ideas explored include: - Replacing the steep service road along the western side of the Lusardi loop with a contoured single track to create a better grade for climbing and descending - Additional trails in Lusardi Canyon Proper to take advantage of the terrain - Bike skills park adjacent to the Black Mountain Ball fields - New single track approach to Doug Hill to eliminate inadvertent trespassing on the private residence land Keep your eyes opens for announcements of upcoming events as the build season arrives. . All the trails on Black Mountain are 100% volunteer created and we can use all the help you can provide.