Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association
We officially incorporated as the Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association, Inc., (LMVA) in 1986, as a California 501 (c) (3) accredited non-profit organization. Our volunteers have been providing quality services to visitors to the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area, and supporting the Descanso District of the Cleveland National Forest, in the following ways.
Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association
Visitor Services
LMVA volunteers; operate the Mt Laguna Visitor Information Center on weekends. Visitor questions are addressed; Adventure passes are sold, area maps or sold, and issue disbursed camping permits.
Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association
Interpretive Services
LMVA volunteers; lead Nature Walks from the campgrounds, Conduct Campfire Programs, Provide children’s programs, and host an annual “Living History Program”.
LMVA volunteers; participate in the Trail Ambassador program. Volunteers on foot, bike and horseback take to the trails on weekends to answer visitor questions and monitor trail conditions.
Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association
Interpretive Services
LMVA volunteers; lead Nature Walks from the campgrounds, Conduct Campfire Programs, Provide children’s programs, and host an annual “Living History Program”.
LMVA volunteers; participate in the Trail Ambassador program. Volunteers on foot, bike and horseback take to the trails on weekends to answer visitor questions and monitor trail conditions.
Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association
Trail Maintenance
LMVA volunteers; provide maintenance for the over 50 miles of trails in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area.
Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association
Trail Maintenance
LMVA volunteers; provide maintenance for the over 50 miles of trails in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area.
The LMVA Trail Maintenance Crew maintains the approximate 35-mile trail system in the Mount Laguna Recreation Area, making it safer and more enjoyable for hikers, mountain bikers, and travelers on horseback. LMVA built the Big Laguna and Indian Creek trails, but we are currently in maintenance mode. Maintenance consists of removing brush encroaching on the trail, tread maintenance, repairing erosion, and removing root balls and rocks.
Safety is the Number One priority for the Trail Crew, and we are proud that our safety record is outstanding. Trail crew members wear safety gear including hard hats, sturdy and protective footwear, gloves, long-sleeve shirts and long pants. All maintenance outings start with a brief safety refresher. The work site may involve long-distance hiking while lugging trail tools. The dust and heat can be intense in the summer months, and it can be bitterly cold and windy in winter. Adequate advance preparation is key.
But there is nothing like a day out on the trail getting dirty, watching wildlife, working hard and receiving satisfaction from an appreciative comment by a trail user.
The Trail Crew meets on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month (holidays excepted), starting out from the Roost headquarters.
Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association
Special projects
LMVA volunteers help LMVA volunteers; organize Special Projects are to assist the Forest service maintain their property, such as painting picnic tables.
LMVA volunteers; maintain the landscaping around the Visitor Center and the Volunteer Activity Center.
LMVA volunteers; regularly pick up the recycling from the Laguna Mountain campgrounds.
LMVA volunteers; have a permit with the County of San Diego for the removal of trash from mile marker 20.5 to 22.5 on Sunrise Highway.
LITTER REMOVAL
There are typically only two or three winter storms in our mountains each year that are cold and strong enough to drop snow. When the storms move out, people flock to the mountain to frolic in the white stuff.
After the “snow-players” go away, members of the LMVA Mountain Area Removal Squad (MARS) move in.
It always amazes us how much litter is left behind after the snow melts. We have found virtually every article of clothing you can think of, money, electronics (cell phones), the remains of snow play toys, even half of a surfboard!
How did a coconut wind up at 6,000 feet? We don’t know, but we found it. Fast-food and drink containers make up the bulk of the remainder of the trash. But we once found a menu from a Chinese restaurant in Chula Vista, over 60 miles away. The trash left behind from just one snow-play event at just one of the snow-play locations on the mountain can completely fill up the back of a full-size pickup.
LMVA
Volunteers provide Campfire programs - Guided trail walks - Children's programs - Other volunteers hike bike ride (horses) on the trails to monitor trail conditions. Annually we present a living history program with volunteers acting as various persons of the past.
Follow these links to find out more.
LIVING HISTORY IS ANNUALLY PRESENTED AT
LAGUNA MOUNTAIN VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION HEADQUARTERS
THE RED-TAILED ROOST
10385 Sunrise Highway 91949 near Mile Marker 22.5
Across from the Old Volunteer Fire Department headquarters.
Take a guided tour to Visit a Kwaaymii Indian, a Mountain Man, Cowboys from the Campo Cattle Company, an Imperial Valley Farm family, and the Cleveland National Forest’s first Ranger, Carl Brenner. And be sure to watch out for Smokey Bear!
Sorry, no pets allowed on the tour, but we will gladly pet-sit them for you.
Trail Ambassador Program
Trail ambassadors will assist recreation area visitors acting as roving interpreters answering visitor’s questions and providing directions. The purpose of the position is to educate and inform the public, trail ambassadors will not enforce regulations or policy while on duty. In cases of emergency, trail ambassadors will contact dispatch and other emergency agencies as appropriate in accordance with emergency communication procedures. Ambassadors will not administer first aid unless they hold a valid First Aid Certification.
Nature Walks
Campfire Programs
Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association
presents
2022 Summer Campground Activities
Aug. 6, Saturday
Woodland Nature Hunt.
Fun for all ages. Discover and learn how to identify some of Mt Laguna’s common trees, plants, birds and other wildlife. Meet at the picnic table at Red-tailed Roost, 10 am for this 1 hour guided walk.
Red-tailed Roost
Aug 6, Saturday
Star Stroll.
Stroll through the stars in our fabulous night skies via telescope at Laguna Campground Amphitheater meadow. 8:15 pm.
Aug 6, Saturday
Star Party,
Mt Laguna Observatory 8 pm. Sponsored by UDSU Astronomy Dept. DIRECTIONS: Take Morris Ranch Road (between Mile markers 22.0 and 21.5 on Sunrise Highway, opposite the sign for Wooded Hill) to parking lot. Walk on trail to Observatory Rd. Follow the white dashes to Harrington Visitors Center where you will be greeted. Bring a small flashlight; you will need it for the return walk to your vehicle. For your safety, please stay on designated trails and roadways at all times.
Aug. 13, Saturday
Once Upon a Mountaintop.
Discover how Mt Laguna got the way it is today in a family-
friendly, fun history of the area.
Burnt Rancheria Amphitheater. 7 pm.
Aug. 20, Saturday
Coyote Tales.
Storytelling at Burnt Rancheria Amphitheater. 7 pm.
Aug. 27, Saturday
No Programs
Sept. 3, Saturday
LIVING HISTORY
Fun for the entire family. Self-guided tours plus special presentations, and a visit with Smokey Bear. Discover how early day campers got up the mountain without any roads, meet Mt Laguna’s first forest ranger, gold miners and more.
Red tailed Roost.10 am-12 noon, and 1-3 pm. Free parking.
Sept. 4, Sunday
LIVING HISTORY
Fun for the entire family. Self-guided tours plus special presentations, and a visit with Smokey Bear. Discover how early day campers got up the mountain without any roads, meet Mt Laguna’s first forest ranger, gold miners and more.
Red tailed Roost.10 am-12 noon, and 1-3 pm. Free parking.
Sept 4, Sunday
Cowboy Poetry
Burnt Rancheria Amphitheater. 7:00 pm.
Red-tailed Roost is located Near mile marker 22.5 on Sunrise Highway. From the campgrounds, travel south (toward I-8). Notice the fire station on your left. Red-tailed Roost is the next driveway on the right.
Children's Programs
SPECIAL PROJECTS
