Announcements
Welcome to the new Bonita Valley Horsemen website! It is constantly evolving and new dates being added so we hope that you will check back often. If you are not already a member, we hope that you will come to our meetings to hear the programs and meet our club members. We would love to have you join us!
Click on items below for the latest announcements.
If you would like an event posted, please email box2283@yahoo.com
Click on items below for the latest announcements.
If you would like an event posted, please email box2283@yahoo.com
Past Announcements
Hi All! Time for our annual "Trick or Trot" Trail Trial in beautiful Bonita. Join us for a relaxing day of trial challenges for you and your horse, followed by an outstanding Outback luncheon and awards! Details and registration forms may be found under the tab at the top labeled [Trail Rides 2017] [October Trail Trial]. Register by September 22nd for an Early Bird discount! See you all there!
You can also RSVP to the Membership Dinner on our tab under This Month's Trail Ride!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Back Country Horsemen's Annual Los Vaqueros Service Weekend
We will be camping in Los Vaqueros Group Horse Camp May 4th - 7th 2017, Thurs to Sunday and our service day will be on Saturday.
As of today I have about half of the camp's corrals are reserved so if you are interested in a great 4 day camp out and giving back to our local trails please let me know know.
If you need more info please email or call me at 760 802 1420.
see Flyer
Terry Jorgensen, Public Lands Chair
Backcountry Horsemen of CA—San Diego Unit
www.bchcsd.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Saturday April 22, 2017
Coastal Cleanup Day from 9am - Noon
Please join Bonita Valley Horsemen with "I Love a Clean San Diego". You must register on the website:
http://www.creektobay.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=2
Saturday September 17, 2016
TRVEA is inviting you to join them in Coastal Cleanup Day from 9am - Noon
This is the correct date for this clean-up. You must register on I Love a Clean San Diego website at http://www.cleanupday.org/cleanupsites.htm Sign-up for Smugglers Zone 5. Hope to see you here!
TRVEA Presents "I Love a Clean San Diego" click for Facebook Link
Direct link to "I Love a Clean San Diego"
Coastal Cleanup Day
Saturday, July 23rd - NBC7 Filming of BVH at 10AM at Morris Pond. This event has been CANCELLED due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Sunday, July 24th - Join the Horsemen for a ride to the historic Rock House located near the top of Mother Miguel. We will be meeting at the Sweetwater Summit staging area and riding out at 10AM. Be sure to fill out your RSVP on the Bonita Valley Horsemen website—[TRAIL RIDES] [THIS MONTH'S TRAIL RIDE & RSVP]—so we can notify you if there are any changes.
- Thursday, July 28th - Community Forum on the Homeless in Bonita with Supervisor Greg Cox at 6:30PM at the Bonita Library Community Room. Come join in the discussion about the current situation of the Bonita homeless. Flyer may be found attached to this email.
- Wednesday, August 3rd - 2016 State of Bonita with Supervisor Greg Cox at 6:30PM at the Bonita Library Community Room. Flyer may be found attached to this email.
- Saturday, August 20th - All Club Beach Ride! This is our annual ride on the beach in the picturesque Tijuana River Valley with all the local riding clubs. Great fun and usually followed by a group BBQ. Watch the website for details!
- Friday, September 16th - BonitaFest Twilight Parade—Details to follow at a later date.
- Saturday, September 17th - 2016 Annual BonitaFest—The whole town comes out for this one. Details to follow at a later date.
- Sunday, September 18th - Quarry Road Loop Ride—Watch for details on the BVH website under [TRAIL RIDES] [THIS MONTH'S TRAIL RIDE & RSVP]
TRVEA Presents "Meet the Bikes" Clinic March 19, 2016 Saturday
Open to Bicyclists and Horse Riders and their horses!
Open to Bicyclists and Horse Riders and their horses!
SAVE OUR TRAILS! 2014
BACKGROUND: United States Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) manages a large portion of land known as the San Diego Refuge. These lands are home to numerous multi-use trails. USFWS has presented a 15 year plan seeking approval to close a large number of these trails and reduce the trail system to only 20 miles of very restricted trails. Basically one main trail loop. In their plan, USFWS has presented 4 alternatives: All are much more restrictive than we currently have. Even Alternative A which is defined by USFWS as “no action” involves closing trails. The public has been invited to comment on the plan. It is our hope that if enough people oppose the plan, USFWS will go back to the drawing board and work with local trail user groups to create a complete, extensive yet environmentally sensitive trail system.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: It is very important that you send your public comment to Victoria_Touchstone@fws.gov (include “San Diego CCP” in the subject line) as soon as possible. Attached is a sample – you can change it in any way.
I, (name and address) urge you to NOT select Alternatives A,B,C,or D. The plan should be re-evaluated to come up with other alternatives. If I HAVE to select one, it would have to be A (Do Nothing).
I believe that Recreation and environmental protection can go hand in hand. As a trail user, I state our trail usage IS wildlife dependent. This is way we are using the trails rather than horseback riding in an Arena, or biking and walking on City Streets. I believe that all the Alternatives presented are too restrictive (USF&W has stated that they will close trails even under the No Action (Alt. A)). This restrictive policy will result in over-usage of any “approved trail and the creation of “Outlaw” trails. A complete, extensive and environmentally sensitive trail system can be created. We urge you to use representative from each of the trail user communities (equestrian, Mountain Biking, Hiking/Dog Walking) to assist in creating this trail system. These representatives should be local to the area (i.e. South bay/Bonita for South bay/Bonita Trails; East County for East County trails, McGinty Mountain for McGinty Mountain Trails). Let’s work together to create a lasting legacy for the San Diego area.
UPDATE 7/18/2014
Over 300 people attended the Public Meeting held by United States Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) on Tuesday, July 15th. Thanks to everyone for their involvement! Over 40 people gave comment, almost all agreeing that None of the 4 alternatives presented were acceptable.
Michael Turko from the Turko Files TV report has been contacted is interested in doing a follow-up.
We have prepared a petition, which you can print and distribute. It can also be sent to Victoria Touchstone at USFWS. We ask however that you make copies of it and send a copy to Bonitavalleyhorsemen@gmail.com. This way we will have a record, should we need to address this with USFWS.
Please keep us informed so we can update the information here.
BACKGROUND: United States Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) manages a large portion of land known as the San Diego Refuge. These lands are home to numerous multi-use trails. USFWS has presented a 15 year plan seeking approval to close a large number of these trails and reduce the trail system to only 20 miles of very restricted trails. Basically one main trail loop. In their plan, USFWS has presented 4 alternatives: All are much more restrictive than we currently have. Even Alternative A which is defined by USFWS as “no action” involves closing trails. The public has been invited to comment on the plan. It is our hope that if enough people oppose the plan, USFWS will go back to the drawing board and work with local trail user groups to create a complete, extensive yet environmentally sensitive trail system.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: It is very important that you send your public comment to Victoria_Touchstone@fws.gov (include “San Diego CCP” in the subject line) as soon as possible. Attached is a sample – you can change it in any way.
I, (name and address) urge you to NOT select Alternatives A,B,C,or D. The plan should be re-evaluated to come up with other alternatives. If I HAVE to select one, it would have to be A (Do Nothing).
I believe that Recreation and environmental protection can go hand in hand. As a trail user, I state our trail usage IS wildlife dependent. This is way we are using the trails rather than horseback riding in an Arena, or biking and walking on City Streets. I believe that all the Alternatives presented are too restrictive (USF&W has stated that they will close trails even under the No Action (Alt. A)). This restrictive policy will result in over-usage of any “approved trail and the creation of “Outlaw” trails. A complete, extensive and environmentally sensitive trail system can be created. We urge you to use representative from each of the trail user communities (equestrian, Mountain Biking, Hiking/Dog Walking) to assist in creating this trail system. These representatives should be local to the area (i.e. South bay/Bonita for South bay/Bonita Trails; East County for East County trails, McGinty Mountain for McGinty Mountain Trails). Let’s work together to create a lasting legacy for the San Diego area.
UPDATE 7/18/2014
Over 300 people attended the Public Meeting held by United States Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) on Tuesday, July 15th. Thanks to everyone for their involvement! Over 40 people gave comment, almost all agreeing that None of the 4 alternatives presented were acceptable.
Michael Turko from the Turko Files TV report has been contacted is interested in doing a follow-up.
We have prepared a petition, which you can print and distribute. It can also be sent to Victoria Touchstone at USFWS. We ask however that you make copies of it and send a copy to Bonitavalleyhorsemen@gmail.com. This way we will have a record, should we need to address this with USFWS.
Please keep us informed so we can update the information here.
Trail closure by SWA and USFWS. Summary of meeting Dec.3, 2013 at Sweetwater Summit Park Community Building
As trail users, (horseback riders, bikers, runners, hikers, and dog walkers) we all need to work together for our trails. Each year, it seems as though we hear of another trail being closed or shut down. Here in Bonita, our trail system is one of the precious assets. However, one of our important gateway trails is currently in danger of closing. This trail is called the South Side Trail and goes from the regional Sweetwater/Summit Park east to the mountains and into Jamul. This is a legacy County Trail, but is on an easement under the jurisdiction of the Sweetwater Water Authority.
On December 3rd, 2013, over 200 members of the trail user community came to a meeting at Sweetwater-Summit Park to express concern over the closure of this trail and to urge the Sweetwater Water Authority and the County to arrive at solutions which would allow the trail to remain open. Horseback riders, Bikers (many who rode in), hikers and runners attended. There were so many in attendance that the room was filled to capacity and many had to either stand or sit on the floor.
In a historic first, Sweetwater Water Authority, the County Parks Department, Supervisor Greg Cox and the public met together to discuss alternatives, problems and potential solutions to an issue that has been ongoing since 2008.
To briefly describe the issue: This trail is next to a fenced in area that is designated as a nature preserve which contains Vernal Ponds. The trail is a wide, DG surface and as early as 2008/2009 the Sweetwater Authority drove their trucks on the trail and created deep ruts. During the summer, it was fine, but with rain the ruts turned into a muddy bog. From 2009 on, it has been brought to the attention of both the County Parks Department and the Sweetwater Authority that the ruts needed to be filled, but nothing was done. Each year the mud would get worse, finally covering the entire expanse of the trail. Although the ruts are not vernal pools, Fairy Shrimp (remember the Sea Monkeys from your youth – that is what fairy shrimp are) migrated into the mud. They remain dormant until it rains. Now Sweetwater Authority says they are required by US Fish and Wildlife to close the trail to protect the fairy shrimp. This means this trail will be closed between 4 to 6 months of the year.
Sweetwater Water Authority presented three alternatives to “fixing” the trail problem.
Sweetwater Authority and the County Parks Department will meet with US Fish and Wildlife on Friday December 6th to discuss the alternatives and arrive at a solution which will work to keep the trails to the East Side of the County open and accessible to all users. Supervisor Cox pledged his support and follow-up to assure that this trail and keeping it open was a priority to the County.
Thank you everyone who participated in this meeting. It was an example of the power of trail supporters and demonstrated our unity in protecting our trails. It was also an example of successful partnering between the community and Public Agencies, such as the Sweetwater Authority and the County Parks Department. We believe this meeting is the first step to have decisions which impact the public, not be made in a vacuum, but instead be made with the involvement, support and input from the trail users themselves.
As trail users, (horseback riders, bikers, runners, hikers, and dog walkers) we all need to work together for our trails. Each year, it seems as though we hear of another trail being closed or shut down. Here in Bonita, our trail system is one of the precious assets. However, one of our important gateway trails is currently in danger of closing. This trail is called the South Side Trail and goes from the regional Sweetwater/Summit Park east to the mountains and into Jamul. This is a legacy County Trail, but is on an easement under the jurisdiction of the Sweetwater Water Authority.
On December 3rd, 2013, over 200 members of the trail user community came to a meeting at Sweetwater-Summit Park to express concern over the closure of this trail and to urge the Sweetwater Water Authority and the County to arrive at solutions which would allow the trail to remain open. Horseback riders, Bikers (many who rode in), hikers and runners attended. There were so many in attendance that the room was filled to capacity and many had to either stand or sit on the floor.
In a historic first, Sweetwater Water Authority, the County Parks Department, Supervisor Greg Cox and the public met together to discuss alternatives, problems and potential solutions to an issue that has been ongoing since 2008.
To briefly describe the issue: This trail is next to a fenced in area that is designated as a nature preserve which contains Vernal Ponds. The trail is a wide, DG surface and as early as 2008/2009 the Sweetwater Authority drove their trucks on the trail and created deep ruts. During the summer, it was fine, but with rain the ruts turned into a muddy bog. From 2009 on, it has been brought to the attention of both the County Parks Department and the Sweetwater Authority that the ruts needed to be filled, but nothing was done. Each year the mud would get worse, finally covering the entire expanse of the trail. Although the ruts are not vernal pools, Fairy Shrimp (remember the Sea Monkeys from your youth – that is what fairy shrimp are) migrated into the mud. They remain dormant until it rains. Now Sweetwater Authority says they are required by US Fish and Wildlife to close the trail to protect the fairy shrimp. This means this trail will be closed between 4 to 6 months of the year.
Sweetwater Water Authority presented three alternatives to “fixing” the trail problem.
- A low Boardwalk: This was proposed by the Bonita Valley Horsemen. It would allow all trail users, including horses and bikes to pass over the top of the puddles without harming the fairy shrimp. Sweetwater Authority stated this would require mitigation to US Fish and Wildlife and would be a costly and temporary solution to the problem
- Re-hab the trail and move the Fairy shrimp: Another costly and time consuming solution, which would still involve the trail being closed for a long and extensive period of time.
- Move the Trail: This is the least costly and could be accomplished the most quickly. US Fish and Wildlife has a current road on their land which runs adjacent to the trail (Parallel to the private road on the far-east side of the chain-link fenced in area). This road avoids the vernal ponds in the area and has a culvert already in place to keep the mud from forming in the depressed areas of the road.
Sweetwater Authority and the County Parks Department will meet with US Fish and Wildlife on Friday December 6th to discuss the alternatives and arrive at a solution which will work to keep the trails to the East Side of the County open and accessible to all users. Supervisor Cox pledged his support and follow-up to assure that this trail and keeping it open was a priority to the County.
Thank you everyone who participated in this meeting. It was an example of the power of trail supporters and demonstrated our unity in protecting our trails. It was also an example of successful partnering between the community and Public Agencies, such as the Sweetwater Authority and the County Parks Department. We believe this meeting is the first step to have decisions which impact the public, not be made in a vacuum, but instead be made with the involvement, support and input from the trail users themselves.
Click here-Sweetwater Authority Power Point from Dec. 3, 2013 Meeting-Click here.
UT Article about our Trail Closure Meeting
