“If you build it they will come“

This is a quote from the 1989 movie FIELD OF DREAMS. Ray, played by Kevin Costner, hears a voice whisper to him, “if you build it they will come.” It convinces him to build a baseball field in the middle of his cornfield.

The quote has become a cultural catchphrase that some people say has changed how we think about starting new projects. The idea being that creating a quality product will attract people. But true success requires additional effort, such as careful planning, especially when related to the outdoors.

Embrace local input

Black Canyon Trail, a 95 mile long back country path created for mountain bikers, hikers and even equestrians is a historic National Recreation Trail that follows a route used since the times of pre-historic Native American travelers. It provides a challenging ride or hike experience characterized by rough terrain, various trail grades, and numerous elevation changes as it meanders through the Sonoran Desert Landscape.

It was developed between IMBA and the Hassayampa Arizona Bureau of Land Management but the trail itself was realized through volunteers and community involvement and most important, input.

There are multiple entry points along the way, riders are free to customize their ride lending safety and enjoyment to the list of accomplishments of this particular trail. There are no fees and the trail has National Recreation Trail Designation, meaning it has been recognized as having exemplary local and national significance due to its scenic beauty and historic importance.

It is the result of good planning, thoughtful use of historic routes and input from the local community; the Black Canyon Trail Coalition has been instrumental in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of the trail.

But what happens when you do not have input from the local community, or worse yet you have input but you ignore it?

Deaf ears

During the 1980s the hike to Cedar Creek Falls in eastern San Diego County California was a word-of-mouth trail for intrepid hikers that started from Julian California and descended to Cedar Creek Falls. It was popular because of its unique location within the county: a desert environment where, when waterfalls do exist, are seasonal and small at best. By contrast Cedar Creek Falls manages a trickle during the driest parts of the year, and during wet parts of the year it has a pool deep enough to entice 70 foot cliff diving. For years it was a best-kept secret and favorite destination among serious local hikers.

That was until YouTube and social media videos began touting the spectacular destination. In the years that followed, a clear trend of increasing fatalities and serious injuries, soaring rates of helicopter rescues, and complaints from local communities concerned about the dangerous conditions culminated in a barrage of emails, letters and phone calls from concerned residents.

It fell upon deaf ears at the upper levels of the U.S Forest Service, the entity in charge of managing the Falls. In the summer of 2011, after 48 helicopter rescues, 90% which were related to dehydration, and the remainder due to dangerous diving, the District Ranger called for the area to be permanently closed. Upper management did not listen, 3 Days later a teenager plunged to his death and a lawsuit followed. The closure order was drafted and the Falls were closed July 8, 2011.

Listen to the community

If you think that is the end of the story, think again. The U.S Forest Service made the shocking decision to put 1.5 million dollars into making a new trail to the falls, every bit as dangerous as the previous trail, with all the same problems, but with access made easier with a trail out of Ramona California.

Many more visitors thronged to the area. Social Media boosted the destination with hardly warnings about the rugged inverted nature of the trail, it was all downhill to the falls, a 1,000 ft elevation gain on the way out in hot sun, no shelter, no drinking water. The downhill trail attracted inexperienced hikers, families with young children and dogs, the elderly. Teenagers hauling ice chests full of alcohol regularly went to party all day, leaving trash and graffiti, the trailhead parking was inadequate for the new crush of hikers, parking regularly overflowed into the neighborhoods adjacent to the trail head.

Once a destination for serious hikers in peak physical shape, the Falls are now an attractive nuisance, the list of ongoing accidents includes everything from broken bones, heat stroke, rattlesnake bites, paralysis, and death. Rescues are constant during the hot months, but do not cease in winter.

So yes, if you build it, they will come. The experienced hiker and the woefully unprepared too. The cautionary tale is to listen to the community, and those familiar with the area. Had they heeded those warnings a second trail would never have been built, this rare riparian beauty would have remained for those willing to prepare adequately and spend a day getting there, and many lives would have been saved.

Constance Hughes