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Red Phone, many residents of Morgan Hill enjoy hiking up El Toro
for the scenery and the exercise. The most popular route seems to
be up Dunne Avenue, via the water tower access road past a private
residence. Recently large ‘No Trespassing’ signs were posted on the
gates. Can you find out who posted the signs and why?
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“Red Phone, many residents of Morgan Hill enjoy hiking up El Toro for the scenery and the exercise. The most popular route seems to be up Dunne Avenue, via the water tower access road past a private residence. Recently large ‘No Trespassing’ signs were posted on the gates. Can you find out who posted the signs and why? Also, who is responsible for the access road – the resident or the water district? Can something be done? It would be a shame if the intent is to prohibit public access to this beautiful and healthy pastime.”
Red Phone: Dear Can Something be Done, Red Phone answered a similar question earlier this year. According to Karl Bjarke, interim public works director, the road you are referring to is an access road to the city’s El Toro water reservoir. The private residence up that road also has an access agreement to use the road.
“The road is not intended for public use which is why the gate is in place,” Bjarke said. “Access to opening the gate is for city maintenance trucks and for the private residence. The ‘No Trespassing’ signs were placed by the private resident.”
The city is working with the Open Space Authority to create a hiker-friendly trail to the summit of El Toro which would then, of course, provide public access.
However, “such a trail is only in the planning stages right now,” Bjarke said. “The city owns practically the entire east face of El Toro mountain, but all the necessary access rights to the summit have not been acquired yet and a trail layout has not yet been approved.”
As an aside, an annual hike up El Toro mountain in the spring is organized by the Morgan Hill Historical Society and Scout Troop 799. The organization obtains an event permit from the city and coordinates the date and logistics with the private property owners who live up the road. The property owners have been very accommodating given that hundreds of citizens participate in the event.
Good caller, remain patient. At some point in the near future, there will be public access up the city’s icon, providing – as you said – a healthy pastime and beautiful view from the summit.
