No Legislative Solution For Popular Trail

Assemblyman Brian Nestande said he does not see a legislative solution to reopen the Bump and Grind Trail, which was closed this week by state officials to protect endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep.

The Republican Palm Desert resident met with the director of the Department of Fish and Game, which owns the land the trail lies on.

“They don’t seem willing to open the trail,’’ said Nestande, who uses the trail frequently with his family.

The DFG, through the use of inmate firefighters, to keep out hikers from the last half mile of the trail earlier this week.

He said his hands are tied because a federally endangered species is involved.

“We don’t have a lot of options,’’ Nestande said. “You have habitat attached to that endangered species.”

Local hikers, including Bermuda Dunes resident Blaine Carian, do not believe Nestande has done enough to take the lead in efforts to get the trail reopened.

They have decided to take matters into their own hands.

“Starting next week we’re starting a campaign of what a fraud this whole deal is,’’ Carian said, adding that the message will target the Bighorn Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of the bighorn sheep.

Carian and other hikers have questioned the science behind the closure. Read more about their .