Friday, April 19, 2002 

'Ultimate destination' now open
Hiking, biking, horse trail leads to scenic Cherry Canyon spot
By Becky Oskin
Staff Writer

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- A short trail with a stupendous view opened to hikers, bikers and equestrians Thursday.

Called the Ultimate Destination Trail for its panoramic views of the San Gabriel Valley and the Santa Monica Mountains, the trail of less than 600 yards connects to an extensive trail system in the 56-acre Cherry Canyon Park above Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge.

"It's a unique spot that has several access (points)," said Liz Blackwelder, a longtime La Canada Flintridge trails activist.

"We foresee it as a wonderful canyon spot. We're not finished yet, but it should turn out to be what I've always thought it should be -- the ultimate destination," she said.

That destination is a leveled pad, once slated for a house, surrounded by chaparral and trees. A picnic table and tie-rails for horses provide a place to relax. The hillside trail connects to the Cerro Negro and Flint Canyon trails in Cherry Canyon. The site may become a campground one day, Blackwelder said.

Blackwelder, 81, was the first down the new trail Thursday on her horse Ruffcut, but she wasn't the first to come up -- a shirtless, sweaty mountain biker appeared during the middle of speeches by government officials.

Funding for the trail came from a $75,000 grant from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and $75,000 in matching funds from the city.

"I can't tell you how happy it makes me to know that 500 years from now, hopefully, people will still be able to enjoy this," said Mary Barrie, president of the La Canada Flintridge Trails Council.

Mayor Dave Spence praised the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and residents for helping preserve trails throughout La Canada Flintridge.

"Our collective preservation initiatives have paid a huge dividend. There can be no better proof that we made the right decision (to preserve Cherry Canyon) than looking at this trail today," he said.

The effort to preserve Cherry Canyon began in the early 1980s, said Julia Gaskill, who was part of the now-disbanded Friends of Cherry Canyon group. Preservationists helped assemble the 146-acre expanse over the years, capped in 1999 by the city's $1.6 million purchase of 10 acres slated for development.

"We've had to fight for every little bit of it," Blackwelder said.

-- Becky Oskin can be reached at (626) 578-6300, Ext. 4451, or by e-mail at becky.oskin@sgvn.com.