Reopening Ropersmith: How Volunteers Revived a Beloved Trail

Meet the team that made it possible! Tommy Higgins, Ian Graham, and Mike Gourley, through their dedication and hard work, made the reopening of the Ropersmith Family Trail a reality.

The Ropersmith Family Trail has been closed for over six months, resulting in a significant loss for visitors to Harmon Canyon. The extended closure of the Upper Canyon prompted community members to reach out and inquire about the anticipated reopening. Once the wet season ended, Ventura Land Trust (VLT) conducted a thorough survey of the roads and trails, discovering the most severe damage in the upper canyon, north of the 1.5-mile gate where the Ropersmith Family Trail is located. Repairing the roads in this area poses particular challenges, as they fall within Southern California Edison’s access easement. If VLT attempted repairs and encountered issues, we could face significant financial liability. Given these risks, VLT decided to leave the damaged roads in Upper Harmon Canyon untouched and turned to the community for help in restoring Ropersmith Family Trail. Recognizing the heightened public interest, Ventura Land Trust (VLT) understood that reopening this beloved trail would require strong community support and assistance.

To mobilize support, Ventura Land Trust reached out to Ian Graham, a supporter of VLT and an active member of the cycling community. He collaborated with Sage Trail Alliance’s Dillon Osleger to find the necessary funding needed to organize volunteer efforts for the Ropersmith trail restoration. Over the course of 12 days, ten work trips were held, involving more than 20 dedicated volunteers led by Ian, Mike Gourley of the “Get It Done” Trail Crew, and Tommy Higgins. Together, they brought over 25 years of combined trail maintenance experience to the project, teaching volunteers ranging in age from 15 to 79 how to use power tools, saws, and other equipment to clear brush and rebuild the trail for bi-directional traffic. Graham, Gourley, and Higgins were pleasantly surprised by the commitment shown, with many volunteers returning repeatedly. Starting in August, these volunteers gathered at Harmon Canyon early in the morning before the preserve became busy with visitors. In total, over 350 hours of volunteer work were dedicated to reopening the Ropersmith Family Trail, and without this dedicated group of community members, the trail would not have reopened when it did.

To ensure the trail remains in good condition moving forward, VLT will partner with Ian and Tommy to establish ongoing maintenance work groups. By organizing continuous volunteer crews, they hope to keep the Ropersmith trail open and reduce the length of time it remains closed after significant storms. If you or someone you know would like to be involved in these work crews, please email us at volunteer@venturalandtrust.org.

The reopening of Ropersmith would not have been possible without the incredible efforts of these volunteers. Ventura Land Trust extends its heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for their hard work and dedication. Thank you for everything you have done!