Governor signs bill to reopen the Bump and Grind hiking trail
The Bump and Grind trail is one of the valley’s popular spots to enjoy a tough run, hike, or bike. For Jacob Schefa, since his dad passed away in 2010, he’s called the Rancho Mirage hike his place of “walking meditation.”
“During that time, my mother passed away and a lot of things changed in my life. The path, the climb was always there for me,” he said.
Hikers like Blaine Carian have been fighting to save the trail after the Department of Fish and Game shutdown the last half mile of it in 2011, claiming it was within a critical lambing area of bighorn sheep.
“That last half mile really is the trail. Without the last half mile there really is no Bump and Grind,” said Carian.
On Tuesday, Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 880, which was introduced by local Assemblymen Brian Nestande and Manuel Perez. It states, starting Jan. 1, 2013, the top of the trail will reopen for 9 months out of the year, and close during the three-month bighorn sheep lambing season — that’s February through April.
“I was a little bit surprised and happily surprised when I got the word,” said Nestande.
Some hikers call it a victory for the Coachella Valley community — for now.
“It’s a liberating thing to do, I’m glad people can utilize it,” said Schefa.
Carian says, “We’re happy that our efforts were successful. Think about it, only 15 months from where we started to this point is pretty fast.”
However, the fight isn’t over yet. In a lawsuit filed by valley hikers, it was discovered there was no scientific proof to validate the Dept. of Fish and Game’s claim of critical lambing in the area.
Carian says there’s still more work to be done.
“We don’t believe the data exists. They haven’t been able to provide it yet. Until that day, we’re still going to be fighting to get 12 months opening of the trail,” he said.
The bill will sunset in five years. During that time, a proper study will be conducted to confirm whether or not there is a negative impact between hikers and the bighorn sheep.
