Lover's Leap Access Report

Publication Year: 1984.

Lover's Leap Access Report. Significant changes have taken place at the Lover’s Leap climbing area. Local property owners, the U.S. Forest Service, and climbers working together have presently resolved their conflicts and pro vided solutions to the problems of access, sanitation, and parking at the Leap. Following meetings with members of the Sierra Nevada Section of the Ameri can Alpine Club to discuss climbing issues at the Leap in January 1983, the Forest Service began acquiring needed right-of-way easements. In June, after the easements had been obtained and the ground dried out from the late snows, the Forest Service sent in their equipment. The existing road was upgraded and pushed through to Forest Service land. A large one-way circle with parking spaces was built around the old walk-in campsite. A vault for a two-holer out house was installed and drinking water was piped to the site. The Forest Service made a determined effort preceding and during the construction to consult with climbers concerning their plans. On the weekend of August 11, 1983, members of the A.A.C.’s Sierra Nevada Section held a work party at the Leap. With Forest Service direction we constructed new walk-in campsites, moved a Forest Service outhouse from an old campground to the new vault and built a trail down to the American River which avoids private property. The Lover’s Leap camp ground now has parking, water, and toilets with enough capacity to handle most weekend use. This may seem overly civilized, and it is certainly a difficult change to accept for those of us who have been climbing at the Leap for many years; however, it seemed to be the best alternative. Now, all we need to do is haul out our own garbage. The private landowners did deed over permanent public access across their land to the Leap. They ask in return that we be consid erate and respect their right to privacy. The Forest Service, at some considerable expense, has conscientiously worked with the climbing community to help alle viate problems at the Leap. I feel they deserve a thank you. Many of you in the past have sent letters to the Forest Service voicing your concerns and wishes concerning the Leap. Please take the time to write a thank you. These should be addressed to: Mr. Zane G. Smith, Regional Forester, U.S. Forest Service, 630 Sansome St., San Francisco, CA 94111, and Mr. Brian Morris, U.S.F.S., 3491 Carson Ct., Placerville, CA 95667. I want to thank the many people who have helped on this project. The copies of letters to the Forest Service which I re ceived were a continual inspiration.

Robert Schneider