""Recent summer monsoonal events caused severe erosion of the paved trail and impacted the cultural site. Several sections of the trail have been undercut and others have steep drop-offs, creating unsafe hiking conditions," according to a news release. The release doesn't offer a timeline for when the trail might reopen, just that it will be closed "until repairs are completed.""
"Repairs will happen in consultation with area tribes, the park wrote, which entered a co-stewardship agreement with the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians in 2023. The oasis is "culturally and spiritually important" to the Chemehuevi people of the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians and to the Maara'yam (Serrano) people, now represented by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation."
The Oasis of Mara half-mile paved loop trail is closed after summer monsoonal events caused severe erosion and unsafe drop-offs. The trail loops through a unique palm tree oasis attached to the park headquarters on land within the city of Twentynine Palms. A visitor center at the location was replaced by the Joshua Tree Cultural Center in downtown Twentynine Palms in 2022. The park provided no timeline for reopening and said the trail will remain closed until repairs are completed. Repairs will occur in consultation with area tribes under a 2023 co-stewardship agreement. The oasis holds cultural and spiritual importance for the Chemehuevi and Maara'yam (Serrano) peoples.
Read at SFGATE
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]