Chantry Flat Reopens After a Bumpy Road

Thankfully there wasn’t a parade or, worse, a ribbon-cutting ceremony when the gates leading to Chantry Flat were reopened.

There was instead a satisfied sigh of relief from Angeles National Forest rangers, who had watched as a raging fire came perilously close to the popular gateway to the San Gabriel Mountains in December 1999.

There was also a murmur of content among hikers and bikers who had been denied access to Chantry Flat for more than six months because of a road damaged by the fire.

Not to be forgotten were the politicians who could finally slap each other on the back, a departure from a tumultuous time in which a number of government agencies argued over who should foot the bill for nearly $1 million in damages related to the blaze. It took the signature of then-President Clinton to sort out the mess.

Casual backpackers who stroll through the dense sycamore-filled woods on the way to Sturtevant Falls are a striking contrast to the problems that had gripped Chantry Flat since the fire.

The cause of the blaze, which burned nearly 750 acres, was never determined, though arson was never ruled out.

The road leading to Chantry Flat, a three-mile winding drive, was closed during the fire and in subsequent days as investigators searched for a possible cause. The road reopened briefly, but was shut down again in February because rains had weakened a 100-yard section, leaving pockets of air under the asphalt.

“The fire took away all the brush and natural barriers that hold soil to the side of the mountain,” Angeles National Forest spokesperson Randi Jorgensen said. “When the rains came, it washed the soil away and undermined the road.”

It was uncertain who would pay for the damage done to the road, which cuts across Sierra Madre, Arcadia, Monrovia and unincorporated territory in L.A. County.

L.A. County paid more than $325,000 and Sierra Madre, a city of 10,767, paid $5,000, though construction was far from finished. More work needed to be done.

More and more backpackers and cyclists were getting impatient, their access denied to a favorite trail.

“I bet the people in the cabins were liking it because the weekends up there are sometimes a little crowded,” said Chris Underbrink, 35, an engineer who grew up and resides in Altadena. “They had the place to themselves.”

In October, the federal government came to the rescue with a $600,000 pledge to repair the road. The funding was included in a transportation bill signed by Clinton.

“It’s the result of hard work of local, state and federal officials,” said Rep. David Dreier (R-San Dimas).

Backpackers can now embark on a variety of hikes that start at Chantry Flat, including a breezy two-mile trek that ends at Sturtevant Falls, a 50-foot waterfall that holds a particular distinction in rain-starved Los Angeles.

“It’s one of the few areas [in L.A.] where there’s year-round water in the forest,” said Gerry Reponen, acting recreation officer for the L.A. River Ranger District. “It seems like everybody in Southern California is interested in water resources because we are in a desert environment, but during the dry season there are only a handful of waterfalls.”

Those seeking more challenging hikes can embark on a trail that ascends to 5,700-foot Mt. Wilson.

“It’s probably one of the nicest areas to go hiking,” Underbrink said. “It’s a lot more wooded than the other areas. It’s good for biking too. It’s always cooler back in there. Most of the other trails have a lot of [sun] exposure.”

The memory of the fire has been doused, as have the political spats.

‘Curtain of Death’

Two environmental groups, angered by what they claim are unscrupulous fishing activities, filed a 60-day notice of intent to sue the National Marine Fisheries Service for its failure to protect endangered sea turtles and marine mammals in the Pacific Ocean.

The groups claim that turtles, seals and whales are “drowning in large numbers” because of drift gill net techniques used to catch thresher shark and swordfish.

“It’s basically a curtain of death out there,” said Todd Steiner, director of the Sea Turtle Restoration Project. “The Pacific leatherback sea turtle is literally on the verge of extinction. We’re down to the last couple thousand [reproducing] turtles at this point in the entire Pacific.”

Steiner said his group and the Center for Biological Diversity, both based in California, “were being forced to take action.”

“If the fishermen and agencies can figure out a way to use [the nets] without harming the environment, we’ll be satisfied,” he said.

Oceanwatch

Pamela Anderson would have no chance in this crowd, even if “Baywatch” is near the top of her resume.

The trophy alone weighs about 110 pounds for the annual Taplin Relay for California lifeguards, which begins at 7 p.m. Saturday at Hermosa Beach Pier.

The event features 16-person teams that swim, paddleboard and kayak in an attempt to get their names etched Stanley Cup-style on the Taplin Bell.

“Like [longtime lifeguard] Gary Crum said, once you get your name on the bell, it’s OK to pass away,” said Anthony Vela, who has been part of the winning team, Southern L.A. County, six consecutive years.

Vela and teammates Rob Pelkey and Blaine Morgan will use the Taplin Relay as somewhat of a warmup: They are among nine lifeguards chosen to represent the U.S. in the first surf lifesaving competition at the Goodwill Games, which start Aug. 29 in Australia.