Magnesia Canyon access

[sthewlis]

After several years I thought I would visit Magnesia Canyon, but nowadays there are signs at the "park" t telling people to go no further. Has this area been closed to the public? Any suggestions about how to get there without provoking the Porcupine Creek security guards? I used to be a supporter of Bighorn Institute and the BLM but they seem bent on removing more and ore land from public access.

[climbant]

I thought you were good October 1 until December 31 for that trail.

[guest]

Haven't been up there in a couple years, but I thought Tim Blixeth, (former owner of Porcupine Ridge) helped build the bridge by the grade school to keep folks on the NW side of the culvert, to allow Monument, wilderness access to Magnesia Falls.

If in fact, Larry Ellison of PR is blocking it, that needs to be addressed.

Anyone else been up there lately?

ss

[cynthia23]

I haven't, but my friend Cathy went up Magnesia Canyon (all the way to Art Smith) about two weeks ago, and she didn't mention to me any access issue, other than the usual Bighorn closure beginning in January. When I was last there about eighteen months ago I noticed a lot of signage to the south preventing access into the hills but the path up into to the canyon itself, along the drainage culvert, was quite clear. However, perhaps the signage needs to be improved to make it clear. I wouldn't be surprised if the new owner of Porcupine Creek has made it deliberately vague because he can't be happy that people can hike along with a clear view into his property.

[guest]

Thanks Cynthia,
It's a very intriguing canyon, (bighorn sensitivity & all).
I'm remember walking up the far left, (north) side with the local Sierra Club rep. when Mr. Blixith himself stopped us in his black SUV to let us know we we're on the wrong, (south) side of culvert.
Anyway, I'd like to check it out again.

Hope this helps sthewlis

ss

[cynthia23]

I actually went up for a short hike there today with some friends. There is a ton of signage from Fish and Game which says 'no public access' but if you read the fine print on the signs, it says 'area closed to public for the Bighorn lambing from January 1st to Sept. 30 (or whenever the end period is, I forget.) Also, the little public park area which has some walking trails has tons of signage saying 'don't go beyond this point." But the point here is, public access is fine during the fall months, although it's also clear that Fish and Game, and probably Ellison, the owner of Porcupine, are hoping that the signs will keep most people out all the time. IMHO it's made deliberately confusing and vague and basically they're trying to discourage all public usage. However, you have a perfect right to go in there during the fall, and from the amount of footprints, it's clear many do. Just stick to the unofficial footpath which runs along the north side of the culvert. Also from the huge amount of Bighorn scat and bones back in the canyon it's obvious that the Bighorn do indeed use the area heavily, so I certainly would avoid the area during lambing season, because that really would be very disruptive to them. Some of the Fish and Game Bighorn closure area are just bogus and ridiculous--like the top section of the Bump and Grind--but this really is an environmentally sensitive area.

[Se7ev_Summits]

I just moved here from Montana and have been doing some hiking and skiing in the area. Ironically I know Tim Blixseth all too well from his exploits in Montana. I used to work for him at the Yellowstone Club. He is a notorious thug who enjoys being a dick to any and all locals, clearly wherever he lives. Fortunately for us and the rest of the world, he's in Prison and will remain there for a while. ($250 million extortion) Anyways as everyone else pointed out, as long as your are aware of the fine print on the signage you should have no problem traveling through Magnesia, especially now with more lax landowners.