If some of you have been there lately you may have noticed some changes - the trailhead has been bulldozed away and there is a no parking sign there. Not to worry - it is still OK to park in the old location for the time being while a new trailhead and connecting trail are being constructed.
The trailhead area has always been private property and the land owner gave the Natural Heritage Commission a scenic easement for the trailhead and trail. The actual natural area begins just upstream from the waterfall. The land owner died recently and relatives no longer want to continue having the trailhead on their land. So here is what is happening. There will be a new parking area trailhead constructed out on the county road - at the concrete bridge over Mitchell Creek - this is just before you turn off of the last county road and make that last 1/4 drive to the previous trailhead. This will actually be a much better location since we will not longer have to drive the bad driveway, or risk the old barn crashing down on vehicles.
From the new trailhead they are construction a trail that runs right along the field and next to the new fence that is being built - the trail will be in between the field and Mitchell Creek, and then right next to Kings River proper. The trail will cross a foot bridge across a tiny stream and then will rejoin the old trail and continue on downstream to the waterfall. All of this is open right now and you can park out on the county road and hike the new trail corridor - the tread won't be completed for a while; or you can park at the old location that is listed in all of the guidebooks.
Folks have been complaining to the Natural Heritage Commission about them scraping the field and cutting down trees - but wait, it is PRIVATE PROPERTY, and always has been, and the landowner has actually now sold a small portion of land to the state so that the trail can remain - this is a good deal for everyone. The trail will be about 1/4 mile longer, but still as flat as ever, and the commission folks are rerouting part of it that has been eaten away by the river, and that now will run on top of the small levee next to the field. The new trail route should be marked with plastic blue blazes soon. Also, the state now owns all of the land in between this new trailhead area and the Dripping Springs Schoolhouse just upstream a quarter - you can park at the schoolhouse right now and hike to the bridge and then down the new trail corridor if needed.
Posted by Bill Dark on October 21, 2008 at 2:59 PM
So that's what they've been doing there. I noticed the dozers going at the crack of dawn sometime back in July when I was there. I was afraid someone was building a new house and that the trail might be closed altogether. Whew, that's really great news. Thanks for the update.
I was out there last week. I meant to send you an e-mail and ask what the deal was, but now my question has been answered. It looked like they were setting up a campground. There is a lot of "Earth-moving" going on just to re-direct the trailhead.
Posted by Tom Kennon on October 23, 2008 at 2:08 PM
Tim, I was there two weeks ago and met the landowner. He was a nice guy and explained how the trailhead would change shortly. He told me that I was welcome anytime on his land and to use the field as a shortcut. I have found that in most cases when you show landowners respect for them and their private land, it pays big dividends. By the way he actually lives not far from the trailhead.
Posted by PAMERNST on October 23, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Yup, I've never been denied by a landowner when asking permission - other than a rude cowboy down at Rockefeller Ranch last year, but he was just a cow poke. Always best to shake a hand and introduce yourself and ask before stepping on anyone's land. Made lots of friends that way.
Discussion
5 repliesThe trailhead area has always been private property and the land owner gave the Natural Heritage Commission a scenic easement for the trailhead and trail. The actual natural area begins just upstream from the waterfall. The land owner died recently and relatives no longer want to continue having the trailhead on their land. So here is what is happening. There will be a new parking area trailhead constructed out on the county road - at the concrete bridge over Mitchell Creek - this is just before you turn off of the last county road and make that last 1/4 drive to the previous trailhead. This will actually be a much better location since we will not longer have to drive the bad driveway, or risk the old barn crashing down on vehicles.
From the new trailhead they are construction a trail that runs right along the field and next to the new fence that is being built - the trail will be in between the field and Mitchell Creek, and then right next to Kings River proper. The trail will cross a foot bridge across a tiny stream and then will rejoin the old trail and continue on downstream to the waterfall. All of this is open right now and you can park out on the county road and hike the new trail corridor - the tread won't be completed for a while; or you can park at the old location that is listed in all of the guidebooks.
Folks have been complaining to the Natural Heritage Commission about them scraping the field and cutting down trees - but wait, it is PRIVATE PROPERTY, and always has been, and the landowner has actually now sold a small portion of land to the state so that the trail can remain - this is a good deal for everyone. The trail will be about 1/4 mile longer, but still as flat as ever, and the commission folks are rerouting part of it that has been eaten away by the river, and that now will run on top of the small levee next to the field. The new trail route should be marked with plastic blue blazes soon. Also, the state now owns all of the land in between this new trailhead area and the Dripping Springs Schoolhouse just upstream a quarter - you can park at the schoolhouse right now and hike to the bridge and then down the new trail corridor if needed.