Forest service public comment period on proposed Three Sisters Falls trail ends Wednesday
Due to an increase of hikers on user-created trails at Three Sisters Falls, Palomar Ranger District is considering creating a managed forest service trail and is asking for public input.
Three Sisters Falls is a backcountry waterfall in the Boulder Creek drainage near Julian.
While it appeared the number of hikers at Three Sisters increased after the Cleveland National Forest Service implemented a visitor use permit system for Cedar Creek Falls near Ramona in spring 2013, Palomar Ranger District’s Bjorn Fredrickson said hiking on area trails have increased overall.
“The use at Three Sisters was already increasing year after year,” he said.
Throughout 2014, the use level at Three Sisters frequently reached 100 to 200 people per day and on peak days exceeded 400 people, according to the ranger district.
“I think it’s just a different experience,” said Fredrickson.
Hikers reach the falls through a network of user-created trails that cross steep, rugged terrain and route visitors through approximately one-quarter of a mile of riparian area, said the ranger district. The proposal would decommission the user-created trails and restore those areas.
One reason for developing a forest service trail is for public health and safety as emergency services have performed rescues for hikers with heat illnesses and traumatic injuries from falling as they attempt to reach the falls, and search and rescues for people who get lost.
Last summer an 18-year-old San Diego female died from a heat-related illness after hiking the trail.
Ramona Fire Department/Cal Fire Station 81 in San Diego Country Estates has provided aid to rescued hikers from Three Sisters.
Other reasons include the impact on soil erosion, watershed, plants and wildlife from unmanaged use, and concerns from area residents about increased traffic that could compromise emergency vehicle access.
An unpaved parking area is proposed to be constructed near the junction of Boulder Creek and Cedar Creek roads with access to the trail.
The ranger district began a 30-day scoping period for the Three Sisters Falls Recreation Management Project Environmental Assessment (EA). A project description is at www.fs.usda.gov/project?project=46285. Public comments will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. March 25.
Comments may be sent by email to comments-cleveland@fs.fed.us with the subject line “Three Sisters Falls Recreation Management” or mailed or hand-delivered to Joan Friedlander, District Ranger, Attn: Bjorn Fredrickson, Palomar Ranger District, 1634 Black Canyon Road, Ramona, CA 92065.
For more information, contact Fredrickson, the project leader, at 760-788-0250 or bfredrickson@fs.fed.us.