Equestrian

 

• Safer and more equestrian trails.
• Want a fully connected forest/NRA through trails of all kinds (horse, hiking, etc.)

• Continue equestrian access, would like more open space in flatlands for recreational purposes, trail maintenance.

• Would like a trail system that accommodates / coordinates and allows for a diversity of uses: mountain biking, equestrian use, hiking, off-road.

• More staging/access for equestrians. Especially more picnic areas.
• Need better trail coordination and thought out systems to features, waterfalls. This side especially needs compared to other side. An equity issue. More staging.
• Make sure when you talk about trails by use, include horseback/equestrians. More access and trail staging. Wide enough trails for safe passing.
• Have to drive to areas for equestrian use.
• Concerned about adequate trails, other facilities for equestrian use - staging areas.
• Horse areas needed.
• Large parking/staging areas for equestrian use, water for horses, picnic areas.
• Concerned about legislation and omission or getting rid of horses/trails. Don't like USFS and how it manages.
• USFS blocking off parking, dirt roads, etc. and reducing access, especially for equestrians and trailers.

• I am an avid hiker and equestrian trail rider. Although I support providing access opportunities for mountain biking and off-road vehicle enthusiasts, I am concerned about trail encounters between hikers/horses and bikes/cycles. Some trails can easily and safely handle both. But many, particularly those with many switchbacks, steep inclines or narrow passages with sheer drops or cliffs, can be very dangerous to trail users meeting or passing each other. I would hope any trails that are developed could be built with marked bypasses to reduce dangerous encounters as mentioned above.
• There are very few amenities for horses and horseback riders, but, except for water, usually none are needed (though they would be nice). I want you to know that the equestrian community, though not as politically savvy and organized as the OHV mountain bike and hiking groups, desires a National Recreation Area in the San Gabriel Mountains.

• We moved to this area 2 1/2 years ago thinking it was "horse friendly." Instead we are faced with cars racing around us on Sand Canyon creating a very unsafe place to ride. After talking to other horse owners in the area (as there are many!) who have lived here for years, the overwhelming response was "we used to ride but because the trails have become overgrown and it is not safe on Sand Canyon we no longer ride." It is a shame to live in such a beautiful area that is considered "equestrian" yet there are such limited trails to ride, all of which you need to ride on busy streets to access.
• While some indication exists that alternatives of the plan envision things like bike riding in semi-urban open space, nothing is said about the opportunities in the forest, many of which have been severely curtailed or eliminated (hang gliding, nude sunbathing, shooting, archery, and how the trail system would be administered to deal with the competing demands of bicycles, horses, and foot hikers). What about other legitimate uses of the forest? (e.g. mining).
• Please include equestrian trails. We don't want horse property carved up into smaller, higher density rat mazes.
• The Department of Fish and Game supports providing hunting and fishing opportunities for the public in close proximity to their homes. The Department is also highly committed in supporting efforts to maintain and enhance the high biological diversity in the San Gabriel Mountains which supports non-consumptive uses such as wildlife and botanical viewing, as well as hiking, biking, and equestrian excursions.