How can you stay safe on the trail? SLO Parks and Rec has some tips
San Luis Obispo’s open space areas include 55 miles of trails, and while public health officials encourage people to get outside and exercise, they say staying safe during the coronavirus pandemic is still paramount.
The city’s Parks and Recreation Department director offered some tips for residents to stay safe while hiking or biking.
Greg Avakian said San Luis Obispo has rerouted some trails to encourage users to travel in one direction versus passing two ways.
Avakian also recommended that trail users wear a face mask as needed when in proximity to others and maintain six feet of social distancing wherever possible.
Proper etiquette includes giving as much berth as possible, with faster hikers and bikers staying to the left on a trail and slower ones to the right — similar to a freeway flow, he said.
Those traveling uphill generally have the right of way to keep coming, while those heading downwards should wait to let people pass, Avakian said, which aligns with the mountain biking rule of thumb.
“Our main message is to help us help you stay safe while walking, hiking and biking,” Avakian said. “The city has plenty of options, but people need to be mindful of best practices. We don’t want to have to shut any open spaces areas down.”
SLO reroutes trails for 1-way travel
The city has not shut down any open space areas, but it has rerouted some pathways to steer people in one direction to avoid having to pass each other.
The entrance to Bishop Peak from Foothill Boulevard, which is technically on private property, has been closed because of issues with preventing groups from bunching together, Avakian said. And the trail that goes to the summit is closed, while the Felsman Loop trail remains open.
Access to the mountain is available from Patricia Drive.
Bishop Peak is historically the most heavily used trail by far in San Luis Obispo. City officials have lead a campaign, Pix on Peaks, for years to highlight other trail options in the city to encourage hikers to vary their ventures.
Other trails with new directional signage are Cerro San Luis, on the Lemon Grove Loop, and Johnson Ranch.
City parks officials are working to identify ways to best guide hikers on Reservoir Canyon trail, where people are directed to used the Creek Bypass Trail.
Signage is posted to help guide people in the right direction for safe travel.
“People worried about possibly passing others on the trail elsewhere, we encourage them to use these trails with one-way guidance for their own comfort level,” Avakian said.
City rangers ensure social distancing for hikers, bikers
The city has a trail resource page on its website, laying out updates and reroutes, as well as which areas are partially open to access.
City rangers who normally spend much of their time on trail maintenance are now are focusing on educating the public on proper etiquette, and ensuring that people are complying with public health orders.
“Sometimes they’ll see a group and talk to them and learn their family members or roommates, which is fine under the order,” Avakian said. “But if they’re a group of 12, it’s likely they’re in violation and need to be made aware.”
Parks officials have mostly seen good compliance with social distancing orders, but also warn that unmanageable situations could lead to closures.
Dogs are allowed on trails with a leash. Signs are posted at trailheads with information about plants, animals and seasonal changes.
For instance, rattlesnakes are out and about this time or year, and people should keep an eye out for the reptiles, Avakian said.
“We have some wonderful signage on what to look for, whether it’s a bobcat or birds,” he said. “It’s educational in every aspect. We are lucky to have so much space to explore nature. It’s really pretty amazing.”
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