High Ridge Trail

High Ridge Connection Trail Project

We are requesting your partnership on a SLO County project that SLOPOST - San Luis Obispo Parks, Open Space and Trails Foundation has been working with Lopez Lake for 3+ years to create a 1+ mile multi-use (Hiking, Biking and Horseback riding) High Ridge Connection Trail from the High Ridge Staging Area (Located off High Mountain Road, just past Upper Lopez Drive on left hand side of road). This new trail will connect to 15 miles of beautiful Lopez Lake Trails. SLOPOST has also been working with Lopez Lake to build the second Horse Camp in our county (Montana De Oro is first).

SLOPOST has been partnering with the following groups to create these two projects:

SLOPOST Received a $3500 grant from SLO Community Foundation to help build this trail and work on the Horse Camp in Lopez.

SLOPOST- donated $1,000 to project.

Friends Of Lopez (subcommittee under SLOPOST) donated $1,000 to project.

Pacific Coast Longriders donated $1,000 to project

Ranchita Estate Owners donated horse corrals to the Horse Camp

Ranchita Estate Owners have donated $1250 and one party will match anyone willing to give $1,000.

Lopez Lake personnel has worked on both projects, will do the tractor work and dig post holes.

California Conservation Core (CCC’s) donated 430 hours of labor.

High Ridge Connection Trail Status:

Environmental Impact Report completed in May, 2003. Received letter from County to okay to begin work June, 2003. California Conservation Core (CCC's) came in May 2003 to estimate building trail and building lodge pole two trail fence to protect trail users from road traffic from Upper Lopez Drive. They estimated 13 days of work. They are donating 430 hours of time (approximated 5 days) to the project. They charge $1,000 a day to work crew with supervisors. The CCC's will not charge us if project goes over 13 days and will charge less if project goes under 13 days. They began the first phase of cutting out route for trail June 2003. This is steep terrain with shale rock to cut through and switchbacks, so it is a challenge to create. SLOPOST is looking for $8,000 to help complete the High Ridge Connection Trail project by the summer/fall 2003.

If your group needs more information or questions, please contact us. If anyone would be interested in helping or giving a tax deductible donation (Non-Profit 501C-3) to SLOPOST (mark checks for High Ridge Trail)

Mail to:

SLOPOST

P.O. Box 86

Arroyo Grande, CA 93420.

Website: www.slopost.org

Sincerely,

Kathy Longacre

SLOPOST President (805)773-1586