Wheelchairs Blaze a Trail to the Sea

Sand, streams and threatening showers didn’t stop the walkers and wheelchair participants from making the nearly five-mile Wheel to the Sea hike Saturday.

The trek through the Santa Monica Mountains draws outdoor enthusiasts twice a year.

“I love the hike,” said Abby Spellman, a Camarillo resident who uses a wheelchair. “I just had a ball.”

For the past five years, Spellman, 62, has completed the hike’s route from Point Mugu State Park near Newbury Park to Sycamore Cove on the beach, usually assisted by Julie Osborn. Although the women didn’t know each other before their first hike, they have since become close friends.

“I insist on hiking with her,” said Osborn, 58, of Thousand Oaks. “She’s a great person.”

During the walk, the pair chatted about good books and the sights along the trail. The hike got underway late Saturday morning after participants ate breakfast at Danielson Ranch in Point Mugu State Park.

More than 75 hikers set out on the sandy trail that wound through the mountains and across Sycamore Creek twice. Two volunteers are provided for each person in a wheelchair to help negotiate tough spots, like the creek.

During the event, organizer Brad Childs stopped to give a nature lesson.

And before completing the walk at Sycamore Cove Picnic Area, the group had to cross Pacific Coast Highway, with the assistance of the California Highway Patrol, which stopped traffic.

“People in wheelchairs don’t drive. They can’t get out of the house,” said Sid Luther of Glendale. “This is really the only chance to get to nature.”

To celebrate their accomplishment after the hike, everyone gobbled down a barbecue lunch from the Kiwanis Club of Thousand Oaks.

The Wheel to the Sea hike was started in 1985 by Childs, who also founded the Wilderness Institute in Agoura Hills, as a way to expand the number of outdoor programs for people with physical disabilities.

“It’s one of those special events that makes life really enjoyable when you’re in a wheelchair,” said Dave Fuentes, who works for the Conejo Park and Recreation District and also uses a wheelchair. “Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to experience an event like this.”

Now in its 14th year, many participants say they refuse to miss a Wheel to the Sea hike.

In the past 10 years, Lake Nofer, of Woodland Hills, has only missed one hike. Although she was invited to a wedding Saturday, she opted for the trail.

“I couldn’t do this trail by myself. Hiking was my event before I became disabled,” said Nofer, who has multiple sclerosis. “I love having an experience like this.”

Organizers emphasize that the hike isn’t just for pros or even novices. Everyone can make the trek.

Before Saturday, Barbara Smalley of Newbury Park had never been on a hiking trail. She didn’t really want to go, she explained after the hike. But when her friend Jackie Allen showed up at her door Saturday morning, Smalley could not say no.

“Being a city girl, I had a lot of apprehensions,” said Smalley, 52. “But it was a lot of fun. This is easy as long as I have someone pushing me.”

After the hike and lunch, participants like Smalley took a spin along the shore in a chair with wheels that plow easily through sand. It was the first time since 1981 that she had been to the ocean and gotten her feet wet.

Such moments are what made it worthwhile for volunteers such as 15-year-old Jarrett Henderson, who made the trek with other members of the Newbury Park High School Key Club.

“They can’t just go out and do this,” he said. “They’re happy. I’m glad I can do that.”

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