Altadena : Council Opposes Trail Fee

The Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday to ask the County Board of Supervisors to kill a new $23 fee for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders using county trails.

Ollie Blanning, representing Supervisor Michael Antonovich at the meeting, said that Antonovich failed Monday to win support from other supervisors for his plan to apply the annual fee to families rather than individuals and to reduce the charge for senior citizens and students.

The council voted to write to each of the five supervisors, objecting to the permit requirement and to the $54 fine for violations. Councilwoman Jan Rodriguez noted that beach-goers are not charged a fee.

William Tyler, a member of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Backpacking and Hiking Club, suggested that the council unite with nearby communities to oppose the fee. “I’ve hiked all over the world and this is the only place I’ve seen where you have to pay,” he said.