[pct-l] TEHACHAPI PASS PARKING WARNING

[Donna "L-Rod" Saufley]

Though there is a signed trail crossing, that particular location isn't really an improved "trailhead" area. Officially recognized trailheads typically have parking and rudimentary amenities. If I remember correctly, it is signed "no parking" somewhere on the road where you parked. For future reference, there are a couple of trail angels in Tehachapi that might be willing to let you park a car there. There is also a ride angel, Mazda Gal, that can help individual hikers get from one point to another, and has done so for many hikers. I didn't get their permission to post their contact information online, but I have it here if anyone needs it.  

L-Rod

-----Original Message-----
>From: Phil Baily <pbaily at webuniverse.net>
>Sent: May 24, 2008 11:38 AM
>To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>Subject: [pct-l] TEHACHAPI PASS PARKING WARNING
>
>Section E ends and Section F starts in Tehachapi Pass at the Cameron 
>Road exit from Highway 58. It is a natural place to leave a car at 
>the beginning or end of a section hike. There is a large level 
>gravel/dirt area between Cameron Road and the railroad tracks. There 
>are two gravel/dirt entrances from Cameron Road to this area. There 
>are old railroad track pieces on the railroad track side of the area 
>paralleling the real railroad tracks. These appear to provide a 
>border for a parking area. If you don't like having your car towed, 
>DO NOT PARK HERE.
>
>Here is how it worked in our case:
>         We left a car in that area for transportation when we 
>finished our hike. Within an hour or two, someone filed a "complaint" 
>with the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The CHP came out the next 
>day, looked the situation over, tagged the car, and authorized a 
>towing company to remove the "abandoned" car 72 hours after the time 
>of the initial complaint. At that time (within an hour or two) the 
>towing company towed the car. Retrieval of the car meant paying a 
>$140 towing fee.
>         Possible complications if you park there:
>                 1. If the car is kept longer, there is also a daily 
>storage fee.
>                 2. The car must be retrieved by the registered 
>owner. (A spouse does not qualify.) The CHP can negotiate or order 
>(It is not clear which.) release of the car once they receive a fax 
>of a power of attorney from the registered owner.
>                 3. The towing company yard has a sign that lists 
>hours as: M-F 9-5, Sat, Sun by appointment. There is also a fee for 
>weekend release of the car.
>YOU DO NOT WANT TO PARK HERE.
>
>Questions raised by this incident:
>         1. Who posted the "complaint?"
>         2. Would prior notification of the CHP of intent, including 
>pick-up date, result in avoidance of these events? Would a note on 
>the dashboard have changed the situation, other than encouraging thieves?
>         3. Would the situation be any different in the small area 
>north of Highway 58?
>         4. Are the same rules applicable, if someone wants to 
>enforce things this way, in other trailhead areas with unsigned 
>apparent parking areas?
>         5. What about signed areas? After all, similar rules do 
>apply on city streets and nothing was said about this being private 
>property. (I do not know whether it is private or public land.)
>         6. Does anyone know of a nearby area where cars can be left 
>without this unpleasantness?
>If anyone knows the answers to any of these questions, I would 
>appreciate hearing from you. However, I am not trying to encourage 
>speculation about what the rules might or should be. I have 
>speculated a lot the last few days, and there are better uses for this forum.
>
>Pieces 
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