Canyon Preserve Reopens to Pedestrians
Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve has reopened for foot traffic, San Diego County Park Ranger Reneene Mowry said. It remains closed to equestrians and bikers, she said, because the trails remain slippery and rutted.
The 7-mile-long canyon was closed to all visitors March 21 because of damage done by recent rains, which covered the canyon floor with water and caused hillside trails to erode. Floodwaters also accumulated at the western end of the park, where Penasquitos Creek empties into Penasquitos Lagoon south of Del Mar, blocking western egress to the park.
City and county of San Diego rangers closed the preserve, for the first time ever, because of the liability the governmental agencies could face from accidents by park visitors and because of the environmental damage visitors could cause to the saturated soils.
The main trails are expected to be reopened for horse and bicycle traffic within a week. No motor vehicles are allowed in the park.
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