Re: [SBB] Loma Prieta Access

In a message dated 5/27/2007 2:04:39 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, [[email protected]] writes:

I guess I could use a little more clarity on this issue. I haven't
been to Loma Prieta for years and am now getting the distinct feeling
I won't be able to visit at all. For those in my situation who might
like to visit, what options do we have? Is it possible to park
farther away from the Black-chinned and Sage Sparrows and simply walk
into the area? Could the birds reasonably be searched for while
observing no parking signs, fire gates or other rules? I don't want
to violate any laws or irritate locals, but I would still like to see
the area again. It seems a bit odd that it has so suddenly become
completely off limits. Can anyone offer some advice on how the area
could still be explored? I'm also a little unclear if this area is
privately owned, county owned, open space controlled, or what. I'm a
little confused.

All,

This is not a new problem. For years the road past the "Y" where Summit Rd splits off to the right has had an unofficial looking sign indicating that from there onward Loma Prieta was a private road. At one point Loma Prieta Rd had a gate just after the junction although it was never locked in the last 13+ years. The left most road from the "Upper Saddle" (where the current parking issue is with the OSP) is Loma Prieta Rd and after about a half mile the road has had a gate that was almost always locked. The right most road at the "Upper Saddle" is Uvas Canyon Rd and the middle road is private and currently has a locked gate that leads to the Antenna farm at the top of the hill (this is the road that the BCSP and SASP are being seen on and has in the past been good for Black Swift, Purple Martin and Mountain Quail). I have a map that I made for Frank Vanslager's write-up in Birding at the Bottom of the Bay, it was not used but I would be willing to send out copies upon request. The current barriers (and I assume future gate) at the "Upper Saddle" will block access to parking in that area, Loma Prieta Rd and the private road to the Antenna Farm. I assume that use of these remote parking areas can be abused by different people for various reasons and land owners in these remote areas "always" resent strangers. For some reason it appears that the OSP has decided that the best thing for the land owners and the OSP is to limit or to prevent access to these areas (it now seems that they even intend to prevent limited day use).

At this point unless you are willing to chance using your OSP (and chance a possible warning or a ticket) you would have to walk from the parking area near the Summit Rd junction (two to three miles) to the "Upper Saddle." Be aware that Frank and I have had BCSP, SASP and PUMA at the "Lower Saddle" which at least for the moment has some available parking (we have always checked both areas in the past).

Hope this helps,

Bob Reiling