5.4. Mission Gorge MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK The goal for the Mission Gorge area is to provide a variety of sustainable trails and other park amenities that can accommodate the high number of visitors radiating out from the Visitor and Interpretive Center while preserving natural and cultural resources. The riparian corridor along the river, the San Diego ambrosia near the Kumeyaay Lake Campground, and the bat roosts on Kwaay Paay are priorities within the NRMP. Proposed improvements focus on closing redundant and informal trails, improving trail sustainability and user access. Gorge area PMission PUBLIC Uses within the Mission Gorge area would continue to balance preservation, interpretation, and recreational use so they complement one another. Cultural sites and wildlife habitats are to be respected, while providing facilities that encourage e people to enjoy the area. By fostering a slower-paced experience by foot or bicycle, the visitor will be encouraged to experience the site, its history and environmental values, and to see how it changes with the seasons and over the years. The Visitor and Interpretive Center and the multi-use path along Father Junipero Serra Trail are two of the most utilized portions of the park by out of town visitors. The interpretive ive and educational programs centered at the Visitor and Interpretive Center would continue to be a focal point for this area of the park. Implementation of the San Diego River Pathway would reinforce the regional recreational reational value of this area. DRAF The river bank below and roughly parallel to Father Junipero Serra Trail would remain closed to protect nesting habitat for the least Bell s vireo, potential nesting habitat for the southwestern willow fl ycatcher, and cultural resources within the fl oodplain of the river. The riparian corridor within the bottom of the river gorge west of the San Diego River Crossing trail would remain closed to the public to protect nesting habitat for the least Bell s vireo, potential nesting habitat for the southwestern willow fl ycatcher, signifi ifi cant roosts of the pocketed free-tailed bat, and cultural resources within the fl oodplain of the river. Figure 5-3 shows the location and general extent of the proposed projects that have a specifi c location. Impacts to habitats and sensitive species will be minimized and appropriate mitigation measures to comply with MSCP and CEQA requirements will be provided as part of the implementation process of each recommendation. 5.4.1. Planning Recommendations: MG-P1: Maintain the river gorge between the Old Mission Dam and the southern park boundary as a secluded area without major facilities. MG-P2: Ensure that trail linkages through the park are made as shown in the San Diego River Park Master Plan. 5-27
5-28 2016 MASTER PLAN UPDATE MG-P3: Consider acquiring the 200+ acres currently owned by the City of San Diego PUD on Kwaay Paay as dedicated parkland. The PUD would retain easements for their facilities. MG-P4: Coordinate with adjacent land owners to restore the perimeter berm around Kumeyaay Lake and redirect the San Diego River back to its former course to reduce sedimentation, the introduction of exotic species, and increased mosquito breeding within the lake. Ensure that redirection of fl ows reinvigorates the adjacent least Bell s vireo habitat and wetland mitigation site which the river once fl owed through. 5.4.2. Management Recommendations: MG-M1: Maintain the San Diego River as a live stream that fl ows year round. Continue to support water reclamation for stream replenishment within the San Diego River. 5.4.3. Facility Recommendations: MG-F1: Construct one or more electric vehicle charging stations within the existing Visitor and Interpretive Center parking lot if analysis supports it. MG-F2: Operate Kumeyaay ay Lake Campground as an overnight campground. MG-F3: Improve the Deerfi eld Bike Skills Area to create a broader variety of features that are appropriate for a wider range of user types and skills. s. MG-F4: Continue to support the Visitor and Interpretive Center program and display enhancements. MG-F5: Conduct a Parking Study to determine the parking shortfall that exists during periods of peak park usage. MG-F6: Construct a parking lot on the easterly side of Father Junipero Serra Trail between Mission Gorge Road and the Visitor and Interpretive Center driveway entrance per the recommendations from the Parking Study in MG-F5. Relocate existing picnic tables and other improvements as necessary. DRAFT U LIC Existing conditions at the Deerfi eld Bike Skills Area (MG-F3) Conceptual parking lot confi guration (MG-F6)
MG-F7: Preserve and maintain the Old Mission Dam through the acquisition of permits required for long-term periodic removal of siltation. MG-F8: Construct a permanent restroom at the Old Mission Dam staging area to replace the existing portable toilets. MG-F9: Remove accumulated silt from the Kumeyaay Lake. MG-F10: Construct and maintain a park entry sign at the east end of Father Junipero Serra Trail and Mission Gorge Road per the signage guidelines. 5.4.4. Habitat/Species Recommendations: ns: MG-H1: Use the closed trail (MG-R11) area to expand the population of San Diego Ambrosia. MG-H2: Conduct habitat restoration tion or revegetation activities within disturbed areas as needed. MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK PU DRAFT Portable toilets recommended for replacement with a permanent restroom (MG-F8) 5.4.5. Recreation Recommendations: MG-R1: Construct the segment of the San Diego River Pathway with identifi cation markers as envisioned in the San Diego River Park Master Plan from the southern park boundary approximately 1.06 miles. This trail segment is primarily along an existing bench cut overlooking the river gorge to the eastern edge of the Deerfi eld Bike Skills Area. An information kiosk should be constructed at the southern end of the trail. Portion of trail recommended for closure and restoration as San Diego ambrosia habitat (MG-H1)IC Old road cut recommended for the San Diego River Trail alignment (MG-R1) 5-29
MG-R2: Improve the connection between the San Diego River Crossing staging area and the Deerfi eld Bike Skills Area as part of the San Diego River Pathway improvements within the park. Due to the volume of storm water runoff within the drainage during the wet season, a signifi cant bridge crossing or benched trail adjacent to Mission Gorge Road is recommended. MG-R3: Improve the section of the Visitor Center Loop trail from the San Diego River Crossing staging area to the Visitor and Interpretive Center to a wider, more accessible sible trail to facilitate the use of the San Diego River Crossing staging area as overfl ow parking for the Visitor and Interpretive Center. er. This section of trail is also included as part of the proposed San Diego River Pathway alignment through the park. MG-R4: Construct an all weather er suspension or truss pedestrian and bicycle bridge across the San Diego River near the San Diego River Crossing trail. MG-R5: Construct an improved low-fl ow crossing or seasonal removable bridge structure at the San Diego River Crossing to remove the unauthorized existing use of the concrete encased sewer main, while a bridge option (MG-R4) is developed. MG-R6: Improve the surfacing of the Oak Grove trail to provide all weather access. Improvements may require some localized rerouting to lessen trail gradient. 2016 MASTER PLAN UPDATE PU DRAFT Drainage requiring improved bridge crossing or trail reroute as part of the San Diego River Trail improvements (MG-R2) General location of recommended mended bridge over the San Diego River (MG-R4) 5-30 The use of the concrete encase sewer main as a pedestrian crossing is unauthorized and unsupported by the City of San Diego PUD (MG-R5)
MG-R7: Construct a new trail connection along the Mission Gorge Road embankment from the Oak Grove trail to the intersection of Golfcrest Drive and Mission Gorge Road. This will provide improved community access into the park, as well as the potential for connectivity with the Cowles Mountain area if the staging area (CM-F2) and trail (CM-R16) recommendations within that area are constructed. MG-R8: Construct a new trail connection from the Climbers Loop trail to Kwaay Paay peak to create a loop trail over Kwaay Paay. MG-R9: Assess the Kwaay Paay hiking trail for localized improvements to address trail grades and erosion issues. If localized improvements are inadequate or infeasible, then sections of the trail should be rerouted. MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK DRAF Embankment along northern edge e of Mission Gorge Rd (MG-R7) The recommended Lconnection from Climbers Loop to the top of Kwaay Paay will be challenging g due to the steep rocky terrain (MG-R8) One of many sections along the Kwaay Paay trail that is excessively steep and eroding that is recommended for reroute (MG-R9) 5-31
MG-R10: Close and restore the existing hiking trail from the Highland Trails residential development at the end of Mission Trails Drive. MG-R11: Close and restore the western Kwaay Paay access trail from the Old Mission Dam staging area to avoid direct confl icts with the protection of San Diego Ambrosia. MG-R12: Implement San Diego River Pathway identifi cation markers along existing sections of the proposed alignment within the park. 2016 MASTER PLAN UPDATE Unauthorized trail from the Highlands Trails development to the Kwaay Paay trail recommended for closure (MG-R10) MG-R13: Close and restore the existing hiking trail from the Kwaay Paay peak down to the cliffs above the Climbers Loop trail. RAm the PU LI I K AFT An existing trail from the Old Mission Dam up to the Kwaay Paay trail recommended for closure (MG-R11) 5-32
MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK 2016 MASTER PLAN UPDATE Figure 5-3: Mission Gorge Area Recommendations F9 P4 Legend SANTEE Municipal Boundaries F7 F8 MTRP Boundary F2 San Diego River Pathway ill Dr H1 Bush yh R11 Trail Re-Routes/Closures Improvements/Re-route F10 Closures Utility Access R10 Existing Trails-Proposed Use Ped/Bike Bridge P3 Hiking Trail Hike/Bike Trail M1 C LI UB T Multi-use Trail d Class I Multi-use Path SANTEE E ar R9 P1 Me s New Proposed Trails Hiking Trail Hike/Bike Trail Multi-use Trail R12 ecommend Recommendations Planning Management Manage R13 Se r ra Facility cility R8 T Mis s ion Go rg e Rd Jun iper o Habitat/Species Habitat/Spec R5 R4 Recreation bing Rock Climbing Existing xisting Proposed F4 0 F1 F6 F3 R3 500 1,000 Feet R6 1,500 2,000 R7 F5 H2 R2 Key Map POWAY S.D. COUNTY S.D. COUNTY R1 MCAS Miramar s ck Ja SANTEE on Dr 52 15 125 EL CAJON P2 8 LA MESA S.D. COUNTY S.D. COUNTY 5-33
2016 MASTER PLAN UPDATE PUBLIC DRAFT Back of Mission Gorge Recommendations Figure 5-34