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R.I.P. Dagger Flat

Take a Hike | Commentary by Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel

Dianne Hellrigel | Sunday, Aug 7, 2016

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Dagger Flat began as a small Native American Tataviam footpath.

The Tataviam Indians spent much of their time living in what is now known as the Pacoima Wash. Back in the days when the Tataviam inhabited the area, the wash was a clear, clean river that ran most of the year. The Tataviam used this footpath to harvest the native plants from the hills above the wash – buckwheat, Indian rice grass, holly-leaf cherries, red berries, yerba santa (a medicinal herb), and yucca flowers, stalks and roots. They would also use the leaves of the yucca plant to make cordage, the branches of the basket bush to make baskets, pine needles to make baskets, and they would harvest dead branches, leaves and moss to make debris shelters. The area was loaded with rabbits and deer that the Tataviam hunted, as well.

The condors were present in the mountains at the time. There was nothing that threatened them the way forest trash affects them now. Now, people shoot up bottles and dump trash all over the forest. This kills the condors.

Dagger Flat Trail view into Pacoima Canyon

In the day of the Tataviam, life was much different. The Tataviam were a sustainable people long before the word “sustainable” became a cool word to use. The Tataviam naturally took care of the environment, which assured a continual harvest each year. The land provided everything they needed. Man and condor lived together in peace.

Our area was considered the bread basket of California. The Tataviam would gather seeds and groats and travel to the Sierra Pelona Mountains in the Castaic region where they would meet with the Kitanemuk, Kaivitam (Serrano), Vanyume and Chumash. There, they would trade their baskets full of grains for dried fish and other edibles that were not available here.

Volunteers work on the Dagger Flat trail

Long after the Tataviam left the area, the Civilian Conservation Corps came in and made a trail where the old Tataviam footpath was, and called it Dagger Flat. We’re not 100-percent sure where that name came from, but after having removed 160 dagger-bearing yuccas from the trail, we are pretty sure “dagger” refers to these plants.

The year was 1930. The trail went unused because the northern part of what is now the Angeles National Forest was virtually unpopulated. There were only a few scattered ranches and the small town of Newhall. The trail eventually fell in and was no longer viable.

Nearly three years ago a friend of mine, Dave Pulsifer, saw the Dagger Flat Trail on an old Angeles National Forest map. He tried to find it and had no luck. He asked me to help.

The destroyed homes of U.S. Forest Service firefighters at Bear Divide

We went out to the area, trying to find it. According to the map, it was 4 miles from the locked forest gate at Bear Divide. We walked in the four miles. We stopped and looked around for evidence of a trail. Nothing. We found several little trails here and there, eventually realizing they were animal trails. Then, I noticed the side of a hill that had obviously been cut at one time. It was loaded with chaparral, and hard to make out, but it was a definite cut. We had long last found a part of the trail.

Not much of the trail still existed. Pieces of shelf or wall cuts appeared here and there. We mapped much of it on our hands and knees, popping up here and there to leave a bright pink tag on a tree or chaparral. We met several rather perturbed rattlesnakes along the way.

Gate across 3N17, the road that leads to Dagger Flat

About three-quarters of the way down the trail, we were totally lost. We had no idea where to go. We wandered through and under the brush, crawling around until we found another piece of shelf. We were back on track.

About five hours later, we found evidence of the bottom of the trail, and we were able to walk out through the Pacoima Wash and Dillion Divide.

Next, we had to get permission to resurrect the trail. The L.A. River Ranger District gave us permission to work on the trail. Luckily, because it was on a map, we did not need a NEPA study, and we could start work immediately.

We asked for permission to use the road, 3N17, to drive to what would eventually be our trail head. The road is not in the L.A. River Ranger District but the Mojave Rivers Ranger District, which refused to give us access, even though I had a key to the locked gate and permission for mapping purposes for my job.

This became a huge barrier to our success. We had to walk tools and supplies like railroad ties all the way in, four miles uphill every day we worked, and four miles out again. We managed to do that for four months.

We decided to try bicycles to make it easier, strapping tools to the bikes. We walked them uphill four miles and rode out using our brakes all the way downhill.

One of those days my tire exploded, and I was slammed down to the ground, ending up with a concussion, three broken ribs and huge bruises all over my body. That was the end of the bikes for me.

Volunteer Linda Castro and I visited the L.A. River Ranger District, and with backing of the Bear Divide Hot Shots, we won the use of the road. Working on the trail suddenly became easier without having to put in eight miles of hiking on top of the trail work.

Dave Pulsifer, Linda Castro and Steve Ritchie and I happily began working the trail in earnest. Dave and Steve removed chaparral while Linda and I cut the trail and made it look perfect. Dave and Steve built stairs in the landslide areas and secured the mountainsides. Linda and I carried railroad ties down the trail.

We progressed faster on the trail, and after nearly three years of work, the end was in sight. Chaparral was removed, the trail was secured with railroad ties to make it sustainable, landslides and falling rock were under control, picnic areas were ready for visitors, there was a parking area at the trail head, and we only had about a half mile to finish.

We were so proud of all the work we’d done. This was to be my special gift to the community of Santa Clarita. This was the first viable trail on our side of the San Gabriel Mountains. It meant we didn’t have to drive for an hour or more to get to a trail in the beautiful Angeles National Forest. It meant we had a trail HERE, an historical trail we could call our own. I was so proud.

The Sand Fire ended all of that. It thrashed the trail, burned up the railroad ties, burned up $25,000 worth of tools and supplies that I’d won in two grants, burned up all of my own tools and tools of two other volunteers, burned up nearly three years of work, and weekly toil of so many people including a dedicated intern.

That fire took away my hopes and dreams of a trail in Santa Clarita. It took away three years of my life.

I know that the chaparral will grow back. I understand fire ecology. Fire can be good for the region. But I’m not sure I have another three years in me to rework the trail.

Perhaps if I can secure more grants, perhaps if I get volunteers willing to help me, we can bring Dagger Flat back. We’ll see.

For now, I am in mourning. It’s as though I’ve lost a good friend and part of my heart. I miss you, Dagger Flat.

Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel is executive director of the Community Hiking Club and president of the Santa Clara River Watershed Conservancy. Contact Dianne through communityhikingclub.org or at zuliebear@aol.com.

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31 Comments

JC says:

Sunday, Aug 7, 2016 at

Part of fighting all fires, is restoring the area back to what it was before the fire started. The cost of the damage is a part of the “state of emergency” declaration. The battle now is not cutting the trail, but cutting through the red tape to get the funds that will dwarf your previous grants. When you think of giving up, think of all the fathers (like me) and moms that will hold their kid’s hands as they walk them on the trail. I taught my kids about conservation, history, native plants, animals, and most importantly; how to really appreciate the beauty of God’s work, while hiking the trails people like you made for us. Thank you for what you have done, and I hope I can help you bring it back and finish it.

Reply
- Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel says:
  
  Sunday, Aug 7, 2016 at
  
  Thank you, JC. I would LOVE the help as I gain the courage to tackle this project again. Thank you for the encouragement.
  
  Reply
Karen says:

Sunday, Aug 7, 2016 at

It would be nice to show where the trail is on the fire map. Or any map.

Reply
- SCVNews.com says:
  
  Sunday, Aug 7, 2016 at
  
  You can go to Google Maps and type in “Dagger Flat Trail” … https://www.google.com/maps/place/Dagger+Flat+Trail,+California+91342/@34.3641694,-118.3508796,641m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x80c28daa2ebdb3d7:0x2a7386d6869da0c7!8m2!3d34.364165!4d-118.3486909?hl=en
  
  Reply
- Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel says:
  
  Sunday, Aug 7, 2016 at
  
  It is on the Angeles National Forest Maps. And if you have any of the inci-maps sent out of the Sand Fire, it’s right there in the middle of the fire area.
  
  It is South of the 14 freeway off of Sand Canyon.
  
  Reply
Maria Christopher says:

Sunday, Aug 7, 2016 at

Hopefully this article will rally people to rebuild it. Sounds like it would be a great Eagle Scout project.

Reply
- Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel says:
  
  Sunday, Aug 7, 2016 at
  
  If you know any Eagle Scouts, send them my way!! Thank you!
  
  Reply
Patrick Comey says:

Sunday, Aug 7, 2016 at

This is a wonderful story of what one person can do and inspire in others. You’re grieving now and this is to be expected. I hope you regain your energy and will to leave something for our community. I never made it to one of your workdays, but will when you start anew. Never give up, never surrender.

Reply
- Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel says:
  
  Sunday, Aug 7, 2016 at
  
  Never Surrender will be my new modo!! Thank you, Patrick. I hope to raise funds again for supplies and tools, and get this trail done. It is such a valuable treasure for our community!!!
  
  Reply
Maria Christopher says:

Sunday, Aug 7, 2016 at

Love the map and Google directions (obviously not open to the public now. ).
Any chance you can put up the old map it was found on and also show the course of the trail portion that was restored ?

Reply
- Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel says:
  
  Monday, Aug 8, 2016 at
  
  Maria, I don’t have the old map from the 30s, although I’ve seen it. More than 3/4 of it was restored.
  
  Reply
Thomas O'kane says:

Sunday, Aug 7, 2016 at

What a shame after all that hard work.

Reply
- Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel says:
  
  Sunday, Aug 7, 2016 at
  
  For sure, Thomas. I am hoping to rebuild it as soon as the Forest Service lets me back in there. Cheers!
  
  Reply
Denny NNWofLA says:

Sunday, Aug 7, 2016 at

Dianne, THANK YOU
Thank you for your caring, for your work and for sharing this story that would have otherwise been lost in the ashes. You inspire. You teach. You are is good influence and a bright light when so very much of what we should be caring about is buried under vitriolic rubbish that is far more destructive than any fire.

Reply
Denny NNWofLA says:

Sunday, Aug 7, 2016 at

Dianne, THANK YOU
Thank you for your caring, for your work and for sharing this story that would otherwise have been lost in the ashes. You inspire. You teach. You are a good influence and bright light when so very much of what we should be caring about is buried under vitriolic rubbish that is far more destructive than any fire.

Reply
- Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel says:
  
  Monday, Aug 8, 2016 at
  
  Thank you, Denny. I hope to be able to secure funding, and rebuild this trail so I can finally open it up and gift it to the people of Santa Clarita and beyond.
  
  Reply
Vito Scattaglia says:

Sunday, Aug 7, 2016 at

I am ready to help rebuild this trail.

Reply
Vito Scattaglia says:

Sunday, Aug 7, 2016 at

I am ready to help rebuild this trail, thank you for your time and effort.

Reply
- Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel says:
  
  Monday, Aug 8, 2016 at
  
  Hi Vito. Thank you so very much. I do hope that we can rebuild it. The biggest problem will be the funding for it. We’d soaked $25,000 into the trail when it was burned. We’ll need a little more than that since 3 of us also lost our personal tools. Once we’ve secured funding again, we’ll be out there in force to rebuild it.
  
  Reply
Ginger Mac Donald says:

Sunday, Aug 7, 2016 at

Dear dedicated Dianne and volunteers, I am deeply sorry for the loss of such an amazing part of our History. Your work, the path, mapping the path is poof it is there. I know other’s one day will decide to start to build back brush and railroad ties. Donated tools AVs to move and make a path. Your work like those who lost their homes can be built back. I am so sorry, never will you give up after our first winter clears the ash and you will see much of your work is still there. Your work is important for History and don’t give up on your dream. You are truly amazing, so are the pictures of natural beauty you found.

Reply
- Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel says:
  
  Monday, Aug 8, 2016 at
  
  Thank you, Ginger. To rebuild the trail it will take another $25,000 of donations and grants. And it will take lots of volunteers. Towards the end it was mostly me out there alone. I have no idea where I can get grants for this now. The resources are hard to come by.
  
  Reply
Tessa Lucero says:

Sunday, Aug 7, 2016 at

Yes, grieve for the work. It is disheartening to have this happen. So much work and so many hours put into this project and then to have it go up in smoke…but thank God nobody was working on the trail when the fire started, they would have had to run for their lives and quite possibly would not have made it.

Dagger Flat Trail can be rebuilt. You and your core volunteers and many helpers did a wonderful job carving out that trail and the love and respect you all have for the mountains showed with every foot of that path. It can be done again.

Reply
- Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel says:
  
  Monday, Aug 8, 2016 at
  
  I hope so, Tessa Lucero. It will depend upon whether or not I can secure funding to replace all the supplies. Even my own tools were burned up in the fire. I have nothing left…not even a rake. We had put $25,000 into it already, and we believed we could finish it with the last of the supplies we had. Without funding, the trail will fall in again, and will be lost.
  
  Reply
jim says:

Sunday, Aug 7, 2016 at

Diane,
I truly do feel the pain that you and your supporters are living with due to the damage from the Sand Fire. All the work that your associates have done is lost, and that is sad.

At the same time, I have to challenge an unmentioned issue regarding access to that same area.

Pacoima Canyon is a well known geological and mineralogical area of interest. Despite the number of mining claims in that area, there are only a few recognized minerals that could possibly drive actual mining claims today.

US ANF has blocked almost all access to this area for several years, based on locking the gates at Dillon Divide. Hiking in from this area is impossible for anyone who is impaired.

Why should I care about your efforts and work if it doesn’t benefit me and others like me?

Reply
Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel says:

Monday, Aug 8, 2016 at

Jim, We were working to get 3N17 open. The ANF was working on the road to make it useable. The trail head is off of 3N17. While not the entire trail was suitable for wheelchairs, the first 1/3rd of it was. After that the terrain was more difficult, and navigable only by steps which were necessary to contain landslides. But, you could have gotten a “feel” for the trail and enjoyed the spectacular views that can be seen only from the top.

Reply
Robert Black says:

Monday, Aug 8, 2016 at

I saw your trail when I hiked up to Magic Mountain in May, and even explored a bit of it on my way back down. When I heard where the Sand Fire was, one of my first thoughts was, “Oh no, and they were just about finished with that nice new trail…” I hope either you or someone else can regroup and restore it someday.

Reply
- Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel says:
  
  Tuesday, Aug 9, 2016 at
  
  Thank you, Robert Black. It’s nice to know that someone was out there and enjoying it, even though it wasn’t quite done!! I truly hope that I can get the funding and the help to bring it back to life!
  
  Reply
C.R. says:

Tuesday, Aug 9, 2016 at

I hope you are able to get The ANF to reopen the road once the area has healed.

Reply
- Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel says:
  
  Tuesday, Aug 9, 2016 at
  
  I will certainly try to encourage the ANF to open the road. They were working on it. I hope that I can complete the trail and they can open the road so we can all eventually enjoy the DF trail.
  
  Reply
Matt says:

Thursday, Aug 11, 2016 at

Having labored at the oar on the stone cyn trail I until it was wrecked in the station fire I feel your pain

Reply
Michael says:

Tuesday, Feb 22, 2022 at

Did you know they kill the native trout in the creek and reservoir in Little Tujunga? The water control is responsible for doing it… Today’s world is so sad…

Reply

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