Civil Grand Jury looks at Devil's Slide trail

The Daily Journal (San Mateo County), Michelle Durand, 7/9/14.  "Report:  Devil's Slide Trail needs safety upgrades."

The steep terrain and spotty cellular reception of the new Devil’s Slide trail could leave visitors vulnerable to injury and unable to call for help, according to the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury which recommends several ways to improve safety on the former highway.

In a report released Tuesday, the jury recommends county officials look at improving the emergency communication system such as installing a call box, reevaluate allowing horses on the trail, install more fencing to keep people from Bunker Hill and replacing the guardrail with one that children can’t crawl under.

....  Department has an annual maintenance budget of $220,823 for the trail but no other money is allocated to repair damage from rock slides. Staff will remove debris with an existing cabbed rock sweeper but if the road slid down toward the ocean, the county will operate it as two separate trails rather than repair it."   Read article.   

Related article - "ABC 7, 7/9/14, "Grand Jury report raises questions over safety at new Devil's slide trail."  "PACIFICA, Calif. (KGO) -- A grand jury report is raising questions about potential risks of the new Devil's Slide Trail in Pacifica, particularly for children. ....  The 1.3 mile trail opened in March, but last July a San Mateo resident filed a complaint about safety, launching a year-long grand jury investigation. The grand jury report released Tuesday highlights three key concerns, including a lack of hardline or cellphone service in case of an emergency."   Read more,  includes an imbedded video, 2:36 minutes. 

Reference -  San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury.  Note:  If you find the original Devil's Slide report, be a hero and give us the link on comments (I'll post it here).

Note photographs - viewing ocean cliffs from The unworldly travelers.com;  resting area from Placeworks.

Posted by Kathy Meeh