Hi all - Let me take a moment to introduce myself - Ive been riding in the local area for a long time, but just joined this forum today. I remember when flightline was open with all the wood features etc. I remember joining some of you at the Carlsbad city building up the hill from the flightline trailhead to voice our opposition to the trail closure. It happened anyway, Faraday was extended and the commercial pads were graded....

Feeling reminiscent, I decided to explore the old FL stomping grounds and it was pretty well overgrown. Wood features were gone, but a few of the main trails were still rideable. Sad to see this area removed for the MTB community.

What surprised me was the creek by Faraday at the bottom of the hill from the old police station trailhead. The water coming out of the concrete culvert was white and foamy - looked extremely toxic. Its probably downstream from the waste terminal and I wonder if its seepage from the landfill.

I need to go back down there and take a pic so you guys can see this.

Does anyone have an idea on why that creek is in this condition? Its disgusting and I dont ever remember seeing that when FL was open. Is it possible that closure due to "habitat restoration" is really just a big environmental disaster that can being ignored now that its "off limits"?

Kinda funny that the MTB was the "enemy" at Flightline years ago. Years later looks like Carlsbad have been terrible stewards of the land....

Carlsbad is no friend to
Mountain Biking. Their
idea of a trail is a four
foot wide path.

We have been riding through
the Flightline area for years.
Way before all the trails were
built.
We called that area "toxic" way
back. Not sure why, but it has
always been like that.

I agree, it should be cleaned up.
It is a "natural habitat " after all!

_________________
I never would have thought that Harley would end up being my inspiration. (well..maybe a little).

avidtest


"it makes mountain biking fun again"

Ozzer

I have thought about doing what you did. See what it's like for old times sake. Is anything left by the NW corner by the preserve? I forget what it was called there but remember it was fun. Thanks for the report.

_________________
"We'll ride it until they pave it."

-Big Clyde

I didnt ride in the NW section. I believe thats the area connecting the tomato fields & sunny creek road to flightline. I did ride the main trail that runs E to W on the north side. That trail was wide open with occasional brush thrown on the trail to impede MTB/hiking traffic. I need to find the old trails that connect to sunny creek road so that I can connect FL to Calavera. Anyway, I went out at lunch and took some pics of the mess out there (SW corner near the waste management facility, north of Faraday. That creek would make the EPA in CO proud! The creek is running white with foam. I believe it eventually hooks up with Agua Hedionda Creek and then the ocean.

I found the EPA water quality report for Agua Hedionda creek:

http://iaspub.epa.gov/waters10/attains_ ... cycle=2012

Its interesting to see that creek degrade in water quality in last 10 years. In '02 it just had high total dissolved solids (TDS), now in '12, the amount of crap is off the charts - heavy metals, shit, bacteria, and soaps. I bet that the pics above point to the main contributor. The tomato fields havent changed and MTBs are not shitting in the creek (JK) any more....

That looks like The New River that flows from Mexico into the Salton Sea through beautiful El Centro and Brawley. And then they wonder why all the fish are dying in that lake.

That water in the creek can't be good and healthy

_________________
You never know what tomorrow will bring so go ride your EBike today or walk your pooch
Fear the Yeti
"Go ride your bike today, don't let the old man in.."

Mike

I was thinking about taking the family out for some jet ski action in Agua Hedonia lagoon but am now reconsidering...

_________________
"We'll ride it until they pave it."

-Big Clyde