Off-roaders have a place to play

By:HENRI BRICKEY - Staff Writer | Tuesday, July 22, 2003 7:13 AM PDT ∞

CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST ---- For years, the 360-acre dirt track hidden in a remote valley atop the Cleveland National Forest has been a secret, held tightly by a group of off-roaders.

But now some of the track's biggest fans are trying to spread the word about one of the last remaining off-road areas in Southern California.

Located about 10 miles west of the Ortega Highway in the Cleveland National Forest, the Wildomar Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area is a 360-acre bowl surrounded by hills on each side ---- entirely hidden from any major road.

"Until last year, it tended to be neglected because it was in such a remote area," US Forest Service spokeswoman Judy Behrens said Friday.

But Forest Service officials recognized the importance of keeping an area designated for off-road enthusiasts and began an effort last year to restore the course west of Wildomar.

"We're trying to provide a more quality trail system so more people can take advantage of it," Behrens said. "Other than this, you have to go Descanso or San Bernardino to find an OHV area."

C.J. Stewart is the executive director of the Cleveland National Forest Off-Highway Volunteer Association and has been off-roading for the past decade.

Until she discovered the Wildomar Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area last year, Stewart travelled great distances with her family in order to ride their motorcycles and four-wheelers.

"I used to drive 100 miles to go riding at Ocatillo Wells. Now I come here exclusively," Stewart said.

But when Stewart first found the Wildomar recreation area, about 90 percent of the trails were in such bad condition that most people couldn't ride them.

"It was gnarly," Stewart said. "There were ruts 4-feet deep."

So Stewart, began organizing a massive group of volunteers to help restore the trails.

"We're trying very hard to turn this place around and make it family oriented," Stewart said. "We want it to be a world-class, regional off-road training facility."

Four dozen volunteers converged at the site last weekend and put in 500 hours of work, Stewart said. To help pay for the work that needs to be done at the recreation area, Stewart said she is also seeking corporate sponsorship.

Guiding the group of volunteers is Forest Service Park Ranger John Mavrolas, who was assigned full-time last year as manager of the Wildomar Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area.

"We're doing something that I was told we would never be able to do," Mavrolas said, standing atop a smooth portion of the track that had been unrideable only months ago.

Since he began working on the network of trails, Mavrolas says the area's use has doubled, largely due to the closure of a motorcycle track in Orange County.

As more and more areas become off limits to off-roaders, Mavrolas said it's important for people to have a place to ride.

Riverside County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Bruce Smith, who is assigned to Lake Elsinore, said illegal off-roading is a serious problem in the Lake Elsinore area.

"Riding down below can be dangerous," Smith said. "There's hidden debris, fences ---- the area isn't intended for off-road vehicle use."

About a month ago, Smith said, a person was killed while riding in an off-limits area in Lake Elsinore.

"That's a tragedy that didn't have to happen," he said.

By creating a designated area for off-roaders, Smith said the sport becomes much safer and results in less degradation to open space.

Beginning this fall, Mavrolas and several other experienced riders will start a rider training program at the Wildomar Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation area that will lead to a Motorcycle Safety Foundation certification.

"There are a lot of folks out there buying off-road vehicles and don't know the proper use," Mavrolas said.

Eventually, Behrens says, the area could become much larger. Right now, she's working on a proposal to add an additional 750 acres to the recreation area.

Using the course costs $5 a day per person. There's also a campground just down the road. Camping costs $10 a night and is first come first serve. The is no alcohol allowed in the campgrounds or at the recreation area.

For more information about the Wildomar Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area, contact Judy Behrens at (909) 736-1811.

Contact staff writer Henri Brickey at (909) 676-4315, Ext. 2616 or hbrickey@californian.com.