Rubio Canyon Trail and Restoration Update

In May 2011, the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy (AFC) finalized the acquisition of 41 acres at the mouth of Rubio Canyon after being from the California Wildlife Conservation Board for a new trail system and preservation of open space.  AFC has made progress in the restoration of the area and will continue to make improvements in 2012.

John Howell, the executive director of AFC said the restoration of the trails is a long process and labor-intensive.  Besides overgrown and eroded trails, AFC also faced the challenge of having to rebuild many trail sections.

“It’s a big project, … but we’re doing it the old-fashioned way: relying on hand tools rather than heavy equipment and using rocks and dirt to fortify trails where possible,” Howell explained.

“The work is being carried out by a volunteer crew led by local trails expert, Paul Ayers and funded by Southern California Edison, a great partner of ours over the years,” Howell continued.

Although not all trails were completed in time for the new year, the five major trails in Rubio Canyon that are useable are: the Right of Way trail, the Camp Huntington trail, the SCE trail, the Lone Tree trail, and the A&A Connector trail—which links the SCE trail with Loma Alta Drive through the lower AFC parcels.

“All five trails are useable.  The Right of Way, Camp Huntington and SCE are routinely used by the public.  The other two should be finished in 2012,” local attorney and trails expert, Paul Ayers said.

AFC is also almost finished with a second trailhead it's added to Rubio Canyon and is making progress towards access for a third that would lead into the canyon itself. 

Hikers can expect the Rubio Gap in the Altadena Crest Trail to be closed once the restoration of the trails is complete. 

“[There will be] only two major breaks in the 13-mile foothill trail system.  That means hikers will be able to trek from the Eaton Canyon Natural Area to the Cobb Estate at Lake Avenue and Echo Mountain,” said Howell.

In restoring the habitat to its natural state, AFC grappled with removing the invasive Euphorbia dendroides (tree spurge) and fountain grass so that plants endemic to the area could flourish.

“We finished removing the largest stand of Euphorbia in late November, with assistance from volunteers, the California Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, and a grant from the Los Angeles Weed Management Program,” said Howell.

AFC hasn’t had the same amount of success in removing fountain grass.

“It has spread high up the canyon, deep into Forest Service property…We’re holding a dozen volunteer days to remove fountain grass along trails, in collaboration with REI.  The CCC is also helping to remove fountain grass,” explained Howell.

“It'll likely take several years to completely eradicate the plant on the land we own in the canyon, and we plan to work with the Forest Service to remove fountain grass in the National Forest, as well,” he continued.

If you’d like to join the group of volunteers who help in the restoration process from 9am to 11am on alternating Fridays, click here.