http://disqus.com/by/JohnMillen/enMon, 10 Aug 2009 15:36:44 -0000http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/aug/10/fbn-chargers-player-shot-081009/#comment-14590514<p>this is going to make a very awkward christmas dinner. "gee bro, sorry i shot you"</p>JohnMMon, 10 Aug 2009 15:36:44 -0000http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jun/10/bn10prejean-loses-title/#comment-10718250<p>you're gay?</p>JohnMWed, 10 Jun 2009 17:07:17 -0000http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/may/29/bn29azbase191332/#comment-10284117<p>way to go hoos!</p>JohnMFri, 29 May 2009 23:16:06 -0000http://www.carmelvalleyleader.com/news/256247-bike-association-tackles-deer-canyon-cleanup#comment-8786810<p>Thanks for reporting this story Karen. I was curious to see how much garbage we would be able to bring out of this place. I heard we filled one and a half dumpsters of migrant camp trash and other assorted illegally dumped garbage. Now its up to our responsible governmental agencies to finalize an intelligent land use plan that balances trail use and preservation of these local resources. </p>JohnMTue, 28 Apr 2009 16:34:03 -0000http://www.delmartimes.net/news/252656-trails-committee-created#comment-5449667<p>I am excited that the Del Mar Mesa Planning Board has created a special trails committee that will address this specific area. It’s time that this no-man’s land of illegal dumping, migrant camps, and 4WD truck off-roading is cleaned up and preserved for the enjoyment of future generations as well as protecting our local natural habitat. There are some beautiful trails here, particularly ones that descend down into the canyons.</p><p>I first explored this area a couple years ago. There was lots of media attention on the migrant camps and efforts by local citizens, activists, and government officials to clear them out. It was relatively easy to locate this area using Google Maps and exploring from the Los Penasquitos Preserve fire road that climbs up the mesa from Carson's Crossing. Starting from the cluster of eucalyptus trees, you could find vantage points that looked north down into the canyons. You could see some of the migrant camps because of the bright blue tarps they used. I didn’t enter the canyons at that time because of unknown land ownership issues and the possibility of running into "angry" campers. The mesa top near the eucalyptus trees was trashed and looks to be a weekend party spot (broken glass, fire pits, and truck "donuts" in the mud).</p><p>As time passed, I started to see an increase in hikers, joggers, bikers, and horse riders in this same area. A conversation with another trail user led me to one of the beautiful trails that descend into the canyon. With the almost complete cover of the coastal scrub oaks overhead, you enter a vastly different trail system that is not seen anywhere else in the Los Penasquitos Preserve. Light is filtered through the trees branches and you are in almost complete shade even at midday. Once you near the canyon bottom, old migrant camps appear even as Mother Nature is attempting to erase their existence. There are probably many hundreds of pounds of non-biodegradable junk down there including assorted construction materials, metal cans, glass bottles, plastic containers, and milk crates. Some of the milk crates are so old that the dairies that originally used them are no longer in operation.</p><p>It does appear that this area has been heavily used for many years (and not in a good way). I hope Mr. Gerst and other members of the Del Mar Mesa Planning Board extensively explore these trails to understand their current condition. I don't believe there is a need to end all trail use because of past land misuse. Bad trails or ones in sensitive areas should be closed but others can be managed with ample stewardship provided by all the major user groups (hike, bike, horse). There is lots of concern about this area because everyone likes it and thinks this a unique and special area, which is a great thing.</p><p>FYI – This trail system was closed by the Park Rangers due to some vandalism. Everyone should keep off until our local representatives make the proper decision for the appropriate level of user access as well as the protection of natural habitat. I hope our local decision makers can come together soon and develop a plan for this wonderful area. The quicker a plan is accepted, the sooner volunteers (me included) can clean out the years of neglect heaped on this area and share it with the local community.</p><p>John Millen<br></p>JohnMWed, 21 Jan 2009 18:35:57 -0000