Trails Status Update, VQ, Events
Greetings and Salutations!
In this newsletter, we bring to you information we learned from our meeting last week with Forest Service staff and an update on the 2026 VisionQuest.
Forest Service/Warriors Meeting
On Wednesday, March 11, 2026 the Warriors leadership team met with District Ranger Matthew Bokach and staff to discuss trail statuses, how the Warriors will work with the Forest Service, the sanctioning process of unofficial trails and a permit for our upcoming VisionQuest ride. This was a productive meeting and we have positive news to share about our Santa Ana trails.
Burn Area Trails Status
Trabuco Canyon is the site of a lot of activity, with four large projects underway by several companies: trail restoration, cleanup of the burnt cabin site, three bridge construction projects, and hazard tree removal.
A contractor started work earlier this month on Holy Jim, West Horsethief and Trabuco Canyon Trails. The estimated completion date is September, with an estimated reopening after the other major projects are completed, which could be late 2026 or early 2027. As I mentioned in the last newsletter, we are hopeful to have next year’s VisionQuest in this incredible zone. These are not promised dates, just estimations, but regardless, this is good news: we expect to get our Trabuco Canyon trails back soon!
Continuing with the good news, San Juan Loop Trail (not to be confused with San Juan Trail) is expected to reopen in May after the current standing closure expires and is re-evaluated. A contractor is to install temporary fencing at the Chiqito trail intersection to prevent unauthorized access into the burn area.
Other trails, including Joplin and the San Juan Trail, are not currently being worked on by contractors. Unlike in Trabuco Canyon, the Forest Service has not yet received any funding for restoration of these other trails in the burn areas. Nonetheless, Forest Service staff have performed several assessments and have documented erosion and stability issues on Joplin. And this coming summer, the Warriors plan to contribute their help on the San Juan Trail.
We all want our closed trails back, and the way we can get out on these trails is by working on them through an authorized trail organization. This not only gives you early access to the closed trails but also helps get them reopened sooner. Please consider joining our trail work crew.
Warriors/Forest Service Agreement
As mentioned above, the Warriors plan to contribute their effort on the San Juan Trail. This work will be authorized through a Forest Service Volunteer Agreement.
In our meeting with Forest Service staff on March 11, we explored another type of arrangement, called a Challenge Cost Share Agreement. This is a partnership between the Forest Service and non-federal partners to jointly develop, plan and implement projects that mutually benefit both parties. Costs are shared by both parties in this arrangement. This is not something the Forest Service can support at this time.
For now, we will operate under a Volunteer Agreement. Thus, we are dependent on donations from the public to do our work in the Forest. These donations pay for the real non-labor costs of trail maintenance: replacing tools, buying snacks or lunches for volunteers, etc. If you wish to support our work, please consider donating.
Unofficial Trails
Another subject we discussed with the Forest Service staff was unofficial trails. The Forest Service recognizes the public maintains and uses many unofficial trails. Maintenance of these unofficial trails is unauthorized and could terminate a Volunteer Agreement. While using a non-authorized trail is unchecked, the Forest Service can not permit its use.
The process for adopting an unofficial trail into the official Forest trail system is lengthy. The sanctioning process involves creating an official NEPA study, which considers the environmental and archaeological impacts of the trail. In addition, the trail proposal uses national trail standards to understand the trail’s safety, maintenance, and accessibility.
The trails that the Forest Service and the Warriors collectively identified as possible candidates for official designation include:
Old Main Divide
Buckthorn
The Luge
Hagador Canyon
Bell Ridge
Upper Holy Jim Trail
The sanctioning process would likely take many years to complete. This does not discourage us, though, as “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” We at the Warriors plan to learn more about this process and prepare some proposals.
2026 VisionQuest Update
We also have news about the upcoming 2026 VisionQuest. While we removed all of the unsanctioned trails from the course (see our last announcement), including Buckthorn, Two Monkeys, and Tombstone, the Forest Service still cannot sign off on our course since the Eagle Road access is not an official Forest Trail. This means we must run the event without a permit, and per the Forest Service rules, unpermitted events cannot generate revenue. For those that already donated for the sole purpose of participating in VisionQuest and want their money back, please contact us. We encourage you to donate regardless, though no donation is required to participate in the VisionQuest.
To keep costs low for the event, we would like to explore some options for food. Please provide feedback on what you would like to do using this google form.
Events
See our events page for the latest.
March 21, 2026 - This coming weekend on Saturday, we will be revisiting Motorway for the first brushing of this year’s growth season. The last time we brushed this trail was back in June of 2025 after it reopened post-closure, so it is time for a tune-up. Come join us! Details on our events page. RSVP required via Facebook or e-mail.
April 2, 2026 - Our social rides happen on the full moon every month. The next full moon is Thursday, April 2, 2026. For this ride, we will join The Path Bike Shop in Santiago Oaks for their Thursday shop ride. RSVP or just show up.
April 8, 2026 - Graffiti removal at Ortega Falls. Forest Service-hosted event. Meet at El Cariso Fire Station, 32353 Ortega Highway, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530. 730AM to Noon. RSVP by e-mailing johnny.moreno@usda.gov or ayla.kerrigan@usda.gov
April 9, 2026 - Trash removal at turnouts on South Main Divide Road. Forest Service-hosted event. Meet at El Cariso Fire Station, 32353 Ortega Highway, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530. 730AM to Noon. RSVP by e-mailing johnny.moreno@usda.gov or ayla.kerrigan@usda.gov
Corrections
It was previously stated in our last newsletter that all drone use is prohibited in the National Forest. This is incorrect. There is a Forest Service policy that requires Forest Service employees and volunteers to be certified to use drones. The public’s use of drones is not explicitly prohibited, though it must adhere to FAA regulations.
