Rand Mountain off-road trails re-open Nov. 1

The Western Rand Mountains ACEC (green) is located immediately northeast of the Desert Tortoise Natural Area (yellow). The Western Rand Mountains ACEC expansion area (blue) was proposed under the 1993 Rand Mountains Fremont Valley Management Plan. The Rand Mountains Fremont Valley Management Area is outlined in red.
Tina Forde
Tehachapi News

Two off-road trails in the Rand Mountain Management Area that have been closed while the Bureau of Land Management worked on a court-ordered environmental protection program will re-open Nov. 1.

A judge ordered closure of the trails four or five years ago, Davis said, so management could prepare an education plan to protect the environment. Phase one of new plan requires off-roaders to obtain a no-cost permit and an ID card before using the trails.

“In the future you are going to have to register,” Davis said.

According to the Sheriff's office and the BLM, Phase II of the environmental enforcement “will begin at the termination of Phase I, in approximately one year, and expand to a permit program and fee to cover the administrative costs of the program, including law enforcement, monitoring, maintenance and the implementation of the permit program. Phase II will include a mandatory online educational program and written test before purchasing a permit to operate motor vehicles in the Rand Mountain Management Area.”

Bureau of Land Management Enforcement Rangers and Kern County Sheriff’s Office Off-Road Vehicle Team will be working jointly to patrol the Rand Mountains Management Area.

“Law enforcement will be directing enforcement efforts toward riders who are riding outside the designated areas and riders who are on closed trails,” the press release said.

For the 10 a.m. inaugural ceremony, Kern County Supervisors Don Maben and John McQuiston will join BLM employees, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Off-Road Vehicle Team, off-road vehicle recreational users and the public at the southern end of the Rand Mountain Management Area on Trail R5 near Camp C.

According to directions by Sgt. Tyson Davis, supervisor of the Sheriff’s Off-Road Vehicle Team, take California City Boulevard east to the Randsburg-Mojave Road, turn onto the dirt road where the sign says “To Camp C,” following it to the R-5 and R-50 trails.