COMMISSION

OHV activity on the trail. The survey resulted in 490 responses. Results showed there was
little direct contact (i.e., they encountered OHVs on the trail) or indirect contact (i.e., they
heard or saw vehicles) with OHVs on the PCT and that this contact did not detract from
their experience. (For more results and information about this survey, see the article at the
end of Report Requirement 2).
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office produced a report on the two-year investigation of OHV
trespass on the PCT. Investigation of the photograph provided by the community group
showed that the photo was taken on private property and not on the PCT. Some evidence
of motorized trespass occurs on the PCT in Kern County in a small area, where the
trail crosses BLM and private property and is not well signed. The report recommends
increasing patrols throughout the year and providing better signage in collaboration with the
USFS. The Kern County Sheriff’s Office also recommends organizing meetings with citizen
stakeholder groups.
The report recommends ongoing patrols of the trail during key times. Joint agency patrols
using motorcycles was found to be the most effective method of finding and detaining
offenders and acts as a deterrent to unauthorized use. However, the USFS would need to
provide a written exemption to law enforcement for this purpose.
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office found that the majority of PCT hikers and OHV
enthusiasts can recreate on multi-use trails. In some cases, hikers expressed gratitude
towards motorcyclists for offering food and water. Only 1.6 percent of the survey
respondents said they saw a motorcycle trespass on the PCT in Kern County where riding
was not allowed; a small amount of responses said
OHV contact detracted from their experience. Overall,
the personal contacts and the survey responses
indicated positive interactions and experiences
between PCT hikers and OHV enthusiasts (Kern
County Sheriff’s Office 2016, 14-15).
Informational Kiosks
The Western Mojave Region is one of the OHMVR
Division’s active areas for resource management
and outdoor recreation. OHMVR Grant Program
recipients in the area include BLM Ridgecrest Field
Office, California City, Kern County Sheriff’s Office,
and the Friends of Jawbone. During grant site visits
and at OHMVR Commission meetings, stakeholders
expressed concerns over OHV trespass on the
Kiosk structures installed near the PCT
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California State Parks, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission