Falls Day Use Area to be Partially Closed for up to Two Months
Release Date: Aug 24, 2012
Contact(s): Carol Underhill

San Bernardino, Calif., August 21, 2012– The popular Falls Day Use Area will be partially closed for approximately two months starting September 4, while reconstruction work is completed.

During reconstruction the bottom parking lot will be closed. The picnic loop will be closed Monday through Thursday as needed for work to take place. The upper parking lot, which serves as the trailhead for the Vivian Creek Trail, will remain open during the week and on weekends. The Vivian Creek Trail is one of the most popular on the forest and on weekends hikers are urged to get an early start to secure a parking space.

The Falls Day Use Area is nestled in the community of Forest Falls at the base of the San Gorgonio Wilderness, often referred to as the Alps of southern California, truly a gem for visitors looking to escape the heat of summer or begin a hike in the Wilderness.

The Falls Day Use Area reconstruction project began last fall as part of a Forest Service National Infrastructure Improvement (CMII) program. The contract included improvements to access roads, parking areas, water systems, and accessibility. A new entry station and picnic area host camp-site were also constructed. The final items to be completed are construction of a new restroom at the lower end of the site, finishing work at the restroom at the upper end, installation of picnic tables and pedestal BBQ grills in the picnic loop, and installation of a gate at the entrance.

The Falls Day Use Area reconstruction project was selected as a national priority project, which is intended to address the Forest Service's most critical health and safety infrastructure needs at areas heavily used by the public. The Falls Day Use Area was built in the 1930’s and parts of the site were upgraded in the early 1980’s.

Forest visitors can find out more about this area by calling ahead to the Mill Creek Work Center at (909) 382-2882 (closed Tuesdays) or by checking on-line at http://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf