GC3DZG4 $475 Ticket for Fun (Traditional Cache) in California, United States created by imaric

This cache has been archived.

Marko Ramius: The cache owner is not responding to issues with this geocache, so I must regretfully archive it.

Please note that if geocaches are archived by a reviewer or Geocaching HQ for lack of maintenance, they are not eligible for unarchival.

Thank you for your understanding.

Marko Ramius
Volunteer Cache Reviewer

GC3DZG4 ▼

A cache by imaric Message this owner

Hidden : 3/5/2012

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

This cache is placed beside the, now closed, bike side-trail that leads towards "Rim Trail" and "Tunel #5 trail".

I wanted to place a couple of caches in this area and got warned that lot of it is actually a restricted area. Signs are sparse, and not clearly showing what is closed. There are a few newest signs on fenced areas basically saying that everything on this plato is off limits, except the fire-road/SDGE-road going N-S and its side extensions. Pretty much, everything east of this road is closed area. Power line road going south towards LPC, road towards Duck Pond and Cobbles trails are open. Before 2008 whole this area was open and accessible to hikers and bikers.
Apparently, in 2008, City got a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to create Vernal Pool Habitat Conservation Plan around whole SD, including this area. Implementation and enforcement is administered through the California Department of Fish and Game. Two areas got fenced, and some signs were posted.

If you are caught in off-limit area, CDFG officers can and will fine you with $475 ticket. I haven't heard that anybody got the ticket yet, and I did see local residents using closed bike trails, and even walking in fenced areas, but also, today, I saw a few city workers and CDFG officers working on some of those fences, and I was advised that there are patrols. There are also some non-friendly illegals residing on the E side.

Four years have passed since the grant, and things are still debated. Everybody agrees that sensitive habitats and vernal pools should be preserved and protected, however there are multiple proposals how to, and how much to limit or allow recreational use of this area.

I'm attaching several snapshots of maps. As you can imagine, there are many different opinions and proposals. City purposed their map. SD mounting biking association purposed their. Some group of MB-ers purposed their. I'm attaching these FYI. I researched this and realized that there are not that many resources on this topic and that there is almost no up-to date info available.

This being said, on Marc 15th, 5:30pm-7:30pm there will be a public meeting/community workshop at Mission Trails Regional Visitor Center. I plan to go and see if this is getting to some resolution soon, as I like to ride my bike in this area
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More info can be found at: (visit link) (visit link) (visit link)

BYOP, hide it back well, and enjoy the day! Have fun! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!