1.4 - Horseback Riding
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An was the case in the settlement of all new lands, trails played an important role in Humboldt County history. To the local Indian tribes indigenous to the northcoast as well as early pioneers such as Jedediah Smith, the trail served as the main route of travel. With the passing of time, many of these early transit routes evolved into wagon roads and further to the roadways with which we are familiar today.
Interest pertaining to trails for recreation rather than transportation increased when the idea of establishing a statewide horeseback riding and hiking trail route was advanced by the California State Horseman's Association. Soon after passage in 1945 of the California Riding and Hiking Trails Act, a trail coordinating committee was formed in Humboldt County to determine a feasible route for that portion of the State Riding and Hiking Trail which was proposed through the area (Ref. map 1.3). In the years following the committee's formation, a trail route was designated which made use of old roads and government trails. Shortly thereafter, the first Humboldt County Trails Plan was prepared and later adopted by the Board of Supervisors by Resolution #744 dated December 1953.
Map 1. 3 Originally Proposed Route CALIFORNIA RIDING AND HIKING TRAIL 1946
Through the 1950's, work began statewide to acquire rights-of-way and begin construction. However, due to staff and funding limitations an well as land acquisition problem, attempts to implement the entire route proposal ceased with very few sections completed in the early sixties.
However, the renewed public interest in bicycling and the growing demands for hiking and equestrian trails as well as other recreational trails has recently revitalized the overall issue of state trails development. In 1974, the California Recreational Trails Act was passed resulting in the preparation of the California Recreational Trails Plan. The plan is intended to assist and provide guidelines in the statewide development of various trail types. The plan proposed three trail corridors through Humboldt County for use by equestrians, hikers, and bicyclists (Ref. 3.3.2).
On the local level, there have been two additional trails documents adopted since the passage of the 1953 Trails Plan. In 1973, the Board of Supervisors adopted a policy and guidelines document for the development of hiking-equestrian trails as well as bicycle trails. That same year, the McKinleyville Recreation Plan was adopted which proposed a trails network for horseback riding, hiking, and bicycling. Of all areas within County jurisdiction, the need for community trails has been most actively expressed by residents of McKinleyville.
As is the case with the assessment of bicyclists needs, the accurate determination of equestrian and hiker needs is also a difficult task. General statistics and public comments received during trails planning workshops indicate that trails for horseback riding and pleasure walking would be well utilized, particularly in certain areas of the County. Findings of the California Outdoor Recreation Resources Plan for the northcoast region indicate' that there is need for-increased recreational day-use activities close to home as well as a need for a regional trails system to link parks and recreation areas throughout the County. This corresponds with actual user cements. National statistics provided by the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service (formerly the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation) estimate that by the year 2000, participation in horseback riding will increase 132%, walking for pleasure by 151%, and backpacking by 218%.
There are over ten active horse clubs within Humboldt County including clubs in the Garberville and Willow Creek areas. Although not a true indication of equestrians in the County, it is estimated that total membership in these organizations is approximately 450. The average equestrian confines their outing to short loop routes close to home where access is readily available. However, the need for long distance endurance riding trails was also expressed. Most riding occurs on informal, undesignated trails located on private lands or on the beaches. Many existing and potential trails are gradually being eliminated as development occurs thus reducing community trail activities. This is particularly true in the McKinleyville area. Traiering is less desirable because of the time, inconvenience, and cost involved in transporting. For many equestrians, trailering is not oven an available option, A figure Provided by the University of California Agriculture Extension Office estimated that there are 10,000 horses in Humboldt County.
Although the need for jogging trails has not been specifically addressed in this plan, cements received during the planning process indicate that jogging trails are needed and that routes which are developed for other user groups will be utilized by joggers as well. Jogging is a compatible use of most trail routes except where Class II on-street bikelanes are implemented.
The need for more hiking and horse trails has been expressed. Although the greatest amount of interest was generated in horse trails, hiking clubs and other organizations such as the Girl and Say Scouts, Six Rivers Running Club, Kiawanis Club, California State Horseman's Association, and the Humboldt County Farm Bureau supported the overall trails project. In addition, nature oriented groups such as the Audubon Society and Sierra Club also supported the project and expressed the desirability of trails which would enable users to observe wildlife, particularly birds. The concept of trails linking communities with parklands, was also strongly supported.
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