A number of different parties are involved in a land dispute, which has been heating up since the year 2000.  On one hand, the public is entitled to use the Anderson Truck Trail because it is the property of the U.S. Forest Service.  However, portions of the trail cross onto property owned by individuals, the Kumeyaay Indians, and the County of San Diego.

According to Ann Carey, Recreation Officer at the US Forest Service, the Anderson Truck Trail is currently “officially closed to the public” due, she says, to the cedar fire and this season’s large amount of rainfall that has washed away some of the trails.

Before the 2003 wildfires burned through the area, there was a large amount of strife.  Local mountain bikers were reporting acts of vandalism allegedly caused by local residents.  Trail enthusiasts reported roofing tar and tacks on the trails, as well as hidden spikes buried in the ground.  In addition, a large wall was built to try to prevent users from entering the trail through private property on Peutz Valley Road.  It is suspected by some that the wall is located on public land, and may be in violation of U.S. Forestry regulations.

The current closure of the trails may be news to some, as no signs are posted at the entrance.  Hikers and mountain bikers continue to use the trail.  Floyd Pool, 49, a long time mountain biker, still rides the trail about once a week.  He currently accesses the trail from an entry point about a quarter mile beyond the original trailhead.  “About three or four months ago, one of the locals pulled us over and said [the trail] was closed.”  However, it didn’t deter him from riding that day.

The portions of land owned by the Viejas and Barona bands of Kumeyaay Indians are primarily at the top end of an offshoot trail known as “ World Cup” and are used by downhill riders.  Several jumps and severe technical areas have been created to make the trail more interesting for downhill riders, changing the natural landscape in the process.

Lieutenant Tony Salazar of the Alpine Sheriff sub station says that the sheriff’s office doesn’t have jurisdiction in those areas. “If you end up on tribal land, that’s trespassing.  They have different rules and that would be their call.  It’s not clearly marked right now as far as I know.  If you encounter tribal security, they can tell you to get off their land.  They are not peace officers but they can tell you to leave and if you don’t, they can do a citizen’s arrest.”

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