Portion Of ‘Bump And Grind Trail’ To Close

You can’t take your dog on the popular Bump and Grind Trail anymore. Now, you won’t be allowed on a part of it either.

The trail was created back in the 70’s, some say illegally.

At the end of June, you wont be able to climb to the top of the Bump and Grind. The California Department of Fish and Game plans to shut down the last 1/2 mile of trail to protect federally endangered big horn sheep. A large gate will keep hikers out.

“I love coming here,” said Susan Harmon, an avid hiker. “It’s great exercise. It’s not so difficult that you can’t do it. I start my day out with a hike.”

Fish and Game cited the Magnesia Falls Spring as the original reason for closing the trail.

According to topographic maps, it’s clear the top of the Bump and Grind is no where near the spring. In fact, according to online maps, it’s a mile and a half away.

Residents proved the spring and trail were no where near each other, Fish and Game then said the trail has been closed for years and just not enforced. The fquestion is, why?

On Monday, Andrew Hughan with the California Department of Fish and Game insisted the department’s biologists have done studies about the impact of the Bump and Grind trail on the big horn sheep in the area.

He wrote back later that day in an email, and wrote “I misspoke earlier, there has not been a report done on this specific site.”

The Local Bighorn Institute said the reason why the top of the Bump and Grind should be closed down is because it goes right through an area where the female sheep give birth. The institute believes there are 65 big horn sheep that call the area home.

Assemblyman Brian Nestande, who represents parts of the Coachella Valley, wrote this in a statement after we started asking questions that, “It would be prudent for the department of fish and game to hold-off on making changes and trail closures until scientific data is available.”

After the closure, hikers will have to either go up or down a very difficult, steep section of the mountain.

Fish and Game is not backing down, and neither are people who use the bump and grind. They’ve already collected signatures and plan to appeal. Many hikers who spoke with News Channel 3 said they’re going to rip the new gate out just like they did with the last two.

Inmate firefighters are expected to put up the gate by the end of June.