These SLO County trails are closed to keep public safe during coronavirus, PG&E says
Two San Luis Obispo County trails both are officially closed at least until May as PG&E closes recreation sites statewide to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
The company closed the Point Buchon and Pecho Coast trails to public access on March 26 until further notice to help keep employees, the public, and communities safe during the “dynamic situation of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has made the decision to close its camping and day use recreational sites across its service area, until at least May, at which time it will reassess the closure plan,” the company said in a news release Wednesday.
Point Buchon, accessible through Montaña de Oro State Park, includes a 6.6-mile, round-trip hike located on the northern end of PG&E’s property.
The Pecho Coast Trail can be accessed through Avila Beach, and includes two guided hikes — a 3.75-mile roundtrip hike to Point San Luis Lighthouse and the 8-mile roundtrip hike to Rattlesnake Canyon.
PG&E operates 38 campgrounds and day use recreational sites, including areas east of Fresno in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains and several sites in Northern California.
Mark Mesesan, a company spokesman, said PG&E officials will be monitoring public health agency guidance closely before determining when the trails will re-open.
San Luis Obispo County doesn’t offer any camping reservations.
Locations such as Lake Almanor, Lake Spaulding and Lake Britton are engineered to create clean energy through a large hydroelectric system, PG&E said. These sites feature PG&E campgrounds and picnic areas, and also offer fishing, swimming and boating.
“The window to make camping reservations usually opens in April, but it has now been pushed to May, with the potential to be pushed out further,” PG&E officials said in the release. “The PG&E camping season is generally Memorial Day through Labor Day. At present, the opening date for campgrounds is set for June 15.”
This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 4:48 PM.
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