METROPOLITAN OPENS FIRST HIKING, EQUESTRIAN TRAIL AT DIAMOND VALLEY LAKE THIS SUNDAY
Trail offers vistas of the lake, protects water quality, environment

Offering dramatic views of the Southland’s largest freshwater lake, Metropolitan Water District this weekend opens the first in a series of hiking and equestrian trails at Diamond Valley Lake.

Just after sunrise this Sunday, June 27, the 6.5-mile North Hills Trail becomes the latest increment in public recreation offered by Metropolitan at the 4,500-acre lake near Hemet in southwest Riverside County.

“The trail opening marks another great moment in the birth of Diamond Valley Lake,” said Metropolitan Chairman Phillip J. Pace.

“Every hiker and horseback rider who ventures onto this trail should enjoy the history and soak in the surroundings. Every foot of it is filled with a story, and every corner offers a chance to explore its biologically diverse terrain. And its ridges provide a little peace and quiet in our busy lives,” Pace said.

Located in the Southwest Riverside County Multispecies Reserve, which surrounds Diamond Valley and nearby Lake Skinner, the trail offers visitors the opportunity to gaze upon the region’s natural resources, including native California coastal sagescrub, open fields of grasslands, the endangered California gnatcatcher and its habitat, as well as the burgeoning Hemet and San Jacinto valleys.

The trails program eventually will provide public access to portions of the 9,000-acre reserve, opening the door for nature observation, interpretive programs and other recreational opportunities.

Ronald R. Gastelum, Metropolitan’s chief executive officer, said the development of the trail was a testament to the cooperative relationships Metropolitan has forged with the Reserve Management Committee and other agencies, including the city of Hemet and the county.

“Metropolitan is proud to offer these recreational opportunities without compromising the area’s environmental integrity or the lake’s operations and water quality,” Gastelum said.

Linking previously existing pathways in the area with new passageways to minimize environmental impacts, the trail connects two 5-acre trailheads at the northwest and northeast ends of the lake. Each trailhead offers a picnic area and 50 large parking spaces for vehicles and horse trailers, as well as overflow parking. Individual, tree-shaded staging areas in the northwest trailhead also will be provided for each trailer stall.

Entry into the northwest trailhead is provided from Construction Road off Winchester Road, while access to the northeast trailhead is near the entrance to the lake’s east marina off Searl Parkway.

Because of its length, terrain and topography, the trail is designated as “strenuous.” The trail has loose footing and steep segments that cross over the north hills of the reservoir. Lake access is prohibited except at designated fishing areas. Pets and firearms also are prohibited.

Fees are $5 for equestrians and $2 for hikers, with children under 13 free. Under the trail’s honor system, as of July 1, visitors will be asked to use the envelopes and iron ranger mailboxes at the trailheads to pay the fees.

Look to Metropolitan’s Web site for future announcements and details on the trail, its rules and the recreation opportunities offered at Diamond Valley Lake.