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Congestion near trailheads is dangerous

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It seems that in the last few years Ramona and Poway (Iron Mountain) has become very popular for hiking. Now I like to go for a nice hike as much as most, but we as a community need to address the dangers from the traffic congestion around the trailheads.

When you find yourself driving past either Mt. Woodson or Iron Mountain on weekends or holidays, you are literally taking your and your loved ones’ lives into your own hands. The county has done nothing to address the extremely dangerous parking problem at Mt. Woodson. What they did for Iron Mountain is grossly inadequate.

Aside from the possibility of hitting someone crossing a four-lane highway at both locations, we have almost every time we drive past Mt. Woodson had to deal with someone thinking that it’s a good idea to stop on the highway and back into oncoming traffic to parallel park. If that has happened to you, then you know how frightening that is. Someone is going to get killed.

I’m afraid that even if they put in a parking lot it will not solve the problem. See Iron Mountain as an example. Build it and more will come.

I know Ramona is beautiful, but when the parking lot is full find somewhere else to go. It really is just that simple. There are many hiking trails heading out towards Julian that have very large parking lots and maybe some of the hikers in their passing through Ramona will stop and have lunch or check out our shopping. A simple sign in each parking lot showing alternative hiking trails could be an answer.

There needs to be restrictions on the parking, and the local law enforcement needs to start ticketing cars for parking on the highway where there should be NO PARKING Any Time signs.

All I know is that if my husband and I lose our beautiful 22-year-old daughter, who has the whole rest of her life in front of her, to someone who doesn’t have the good sense not to back up into oncoming highway speed traffic, there will be lawyers involved.

This is dangerous and something needs to be done now. I’ve come up with my ideas. Maybe you have ones also. Please start pressuring our local politicians and whoever has the authority to do something about this problem: Caltrans, Dianne Jacob.

Linda Berman and her family have lived in Ramona for 22 years.

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