Cuyamaca State Park Celebrates Earth Day with Restoration and Clean-up Activities
by Johnny McDonald

Major steps on the long trail to restructure Cuyamaca Rancho State Park will be taken when a projected volunteer force approaching 500 expands a cleanup program on Earth Day, April 24, from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Although some mention a partial park reopening on Memorial Day as a goal, the date might be sooner for the south end of the park if enough work is accomplished on Earth Day.

It is a big undertaking to resurrect campgrounds and trails damaged by the October fire, Ranger Michele Green said.

Almost all the park was burned, including the historic Dyar House, which had served as park head-quarters, a visitors center and a museum since 1934.

The park is described as the jewel of San Diego County’s mountains, a haven for campers, hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers and wildlife viewers. It encompasses more than 25,000 acres of wildlife habitat, watershed, archaeological sites, botanical reserve and recreational land.

Thousands each year have visited Green Valley and Paso Picacho campgrounds, Stonewall Mine and camps at Los Caballos and Los Vaqueros. The area borders Cuyamaca Lake, Anza Borrego Desert State Park and Cleveland National Forest.

According to Green, those who wish to join the volunteer work force on Earth Day should call (760) 765-0623.

Michael Curtis, a park volunteer who supervises trail maintenance, thinks Earth Day will provide an excellent opportunity for recruitment.

Curtis, who commutes several times a month from his Clairemont home, said the work of volunteers will save the state about $100,000 a year.

The park has several categories of volunteers. They patrol on horseback, foot, bicycle, and do a variety of jobs such as taking care of trails, campgrounds and a visitor center. Work began as early as January, when the area was reopened.

"We cut down dead and burned trees in the trail paths and drag branches away," said Curtis, now retired from the telephone company. "Actually, the campgrounds in Green Valley and Paso Picacho aren’t too bad. Backfires saved 80 percent of the campground."

The objective will be to work in the Green Valley and Stonewall Peak areas, Green said.

"We have about 10 different projects for the workers," she said. "Signup on Earth Day will be from 8 to 9 a.m. and we suggest they wear appropriate clothing and bring gloves."

The park faces a major reconstruction that will take years, and Green said much of the financial support must come from donations, since the state government is not in a very good position to help.

"To many, what has happened to the park is an emotional thing," she said. It has meant much to families over the years, and many have a feeling of attachment.

The fire wiped out thousands of trees and debris flows have been damaging along some of the 120 miles of trails. Curtis said more than 90 percent of the pines already had been destroyed by the bark beetle and 10 years of drought.

Recent weather lately has been ideal, park officials say, but they are hopeful there is no recurring heavy rain. Light rain and snow would be helpful, they added, because the area is still in a drought.

The first public access to the park since the October wildfires is a temporary visitor center and gift shop in a trailer, donated by the Cuyamaca Rancho State Interpre-tative Association. The center is in front of the Paso Picacho campground off state Route 79 and is open on the weekends.