Defacing nature should have consequences

Our family enjoys weekly hikes with our dogs along the Santa Margarita River Trail in De Luz. This is a popular local trail for hikers and horseback riders and is a beautiful way to enjoy the outdoors here.

For many years people who walked the trail respected it and carried out what they carried in. Lately there has been trash left on the trail, truckloads of trash dumped at the trailhead and car break-ins and thefts. It only takes one bad apple to ruin it for the rest of us. The perpetrators should understand there are consequences to every action, good or bad.

Recently we were shocked to find graffiti on many of the ancient and giant boulders by the falls and along the trail defaced. It was an ugly sight. I was horrified. Why would anyone want to make such a beautiful place so ugly by tagging centuries-old granite in silver, orange, black and blue paint? It was like someone had regurgitated in the middle of nature’s living room.

This is county property. Who would you contact to sandblast the rocks for cleanup and removal of the graffiti? How can the community help to discourage this activity?

I respectfully ask any visitor in the area to please report any suspicious persons or activity to the local Sheriff’s office, or take a picture if you have a cell phone on you, so we can find who is responsible for defacing an otherwise pristine natural environment.

Pat Weil