Popular Angeles National Forest trails reopen
The Angeles National Forest north of Los Angeles on Saturday reopened popular trails, trailheads, roads and campgrounds that have been shut since April 4 because of the coronavirus pandemic. New social distancing rules are required after the reopening of 23 trails, including those to Mt. Baldy and Mt. Wilson, and 19 roads at the 700,000-acre site.
Hikers and other outdoor users are asked to wear masks, stay 6 feet apart and follow CDC guidelines that explain how to safely visit parks and recreation areas. Campgrounds and picnic areas will open gradually over the next few weeks. Campers and picnickers should limit their group to “a family that lives together, not to extended families to come together,” forest spokesman Nathan Judy said Tuesday.
As local, state and federal leaders look for the right mix of restrictions, rules keep changing
Judy emphasized that forest lands were reopened for recreational use, not to encourage people to gather in large groups for a picnic or party.
Parking lots, picnic areas and restrooms will open. Mt. Pacifico, Chilao, Manker Flat and Millard unreserved campgrounds will be opening over the next few weeks. Seasonal campgrounds will remain closed. Also, fire restrictions for campers and picnickers are in place.
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The partial forest closures started April 4 and were originally supposed to last until April 30, but were extended through May 15.
Forest trails and roads were closed in portions of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and Los Angeles Gateway Ranger District. The following areas reopened:
- Trail heads and trails at San Antonio Falls, Icehouse Canyon and North Devil’s Backbone, routes that lead to the top of 10,050-foot Mt. Baldy. In the same area, trails to Telegraph Peak, Timber Mountain, the Three Ts, Bighorn Peak and the Chapman Trail.
The popular La Cañada Flintridge gardens will require advance reservations, masks and social distancing.
- Trails to Millard Canyon, Mt. Wilson, Gabrielino Trail, Rim Trail, Valley Forge Trail, Sam Merrill Trail, San Gabriel Peak, El Prieto, Ontario Peak, Bear Canyon Loop Trail, Sunset Ridge and others in the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles.
- The Mt. Wilson Toll Road and fire roads to Big Santa Anita Canyon, Mt. Lowe, Gould Mesa, Arroyo Seco Road, Mt. Lukens Road and others.
Check the Angeles National Forest website for more information.
Updates
12:12 p.m. May 14, 2020: This story has been updated to say campgrounds and picnic areas would open gradually over the next few weeks, according to forest officials.
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