Wealthy hikers go to war with environmental activists trying to BAN them from popular viewpoint over threat to endangered wildlife

Access to a clifftop hiking trail with magnificent views over the Pacific Ocean is being challenged as environmental activists look to preserve endangered species living in the area. 

The trail on Dana Point Headlands, midway between San Diego and Los Angeles, is also home to the Pacific pocket mouse - the smallest mouse species in North America - of which very few remain.

At the last count in 2022, only 77 remained, leading to the San Diego Zoo to introduce a conservation and breeding reintroduction program.

Because the mice thrive in the early evening and mornings, the activists want to see the opening times of the trail slashed during peak mouse activity times.

The trail, opened in 2009 and had consistent public hours until the early days of the pandemic when CNLM temporarily closed it. Upon reopening, access was restricted until 2022

In May, the Dana Point Planning Commission approved a development permit that set operational hours allowing the public to access the Bluff Top Trail from dawn to dusk every day. 

However, the Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) wants to see the number of days cut where access is allowed together with shortened hours for trail use and has appealed the city's permit to the California Coastal Commission. 

Hikers would only be granted access over four days a week and only between 8am and 6pm in summer, and 4pm in winter months. 

The path traverses a rocky outcrop covered with coastal sage and other plants native to the area, but it is also one of the few habitats for the Pacific pocket mouse as well as the also-threatened California gnatcatcher bird

CNLM is concerned about the potential negative impact on the pocket mouse, which is also found in only two other places: Camp Pendleton and Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.

In their appeal, CNLM is arguing that the city's decision to grant the permit does not align with local coastal development and public access programs.

At the last count in 2022, only 77 remained, leading to the San Diego Zoo to introduce a conservation and breeding reintroduction program

The trail on Dana Point Headlands, midway between San Diego and Los Angeles, is home to the Pacific pocket mouse - the smallest mouse species in North America - of which few remain

The Coastal Commission will review the appeal next month and determine whether changes need to be made to the city's original permit, at which point a new one would be issued.

The dispute over trail usage between Dana Point and CNLM has been going on for years. 

A court order in 2022 allowed daily use of the trail which was only recently made more formal by the Planning Commission.

Dana Point Mayor Jamey Federico believes it's important for the trail to remain open on a daily basis. 

'We believe this is such an important visitor-serving coastal amenity that daily access needs to be maintained as the baseline,' Mayor Federico said to the Orange County Register. 

'We understand adaptive management and that the trail needs to be closed from time to time based on data. But, we believe CNLM needs to be taking every possible action to improve the pocket mouse population before they consider trail closures.' 

The Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) wants to see the number of days cut where public access to the trail is allowed together with shortened hours on a daily basis

The Headlands is home to one of only three known Pacific pocket mouse colonies. 

CNLM purchased the land from developer Sanford Edward in 2005 for $11.9 million, funded by a grant from the Steel Foundation.

The money was invested to ensure the preservation of endangered species and plants. The group also received $800,000 from the Department of Defense to mitigate impacts on the mouse population at Camp Pendleton.

The trail, opened in 2009 and had consistent public hours until the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic when CNLM temporarily closed it during 'stay at home' orders. 

Upon reopening, access was restricted to between 9am and noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The CNLM initially refused to comply with Dana Point's wish for a reopening of 7am until sunset daily.

Ttrail usage has doubled since its opening, adversely affecting the mouse population's reproduction and foraging.

Visitors hike to the tide pools in Dana Point, California

The also-threatened California gnatcatcher bird also has a home on the trail 

CNLM monitors the mouse population and visitor numbers to assess the impact of public use which has doubled since its reopening.

The environmental group feel that the increased numbers of hikers is now having a  negative affect on the mice.

Sarah Mueller, an attorney for CNLM has suggested a reduction in trail opening hours which would help reduce the affect human activity might be having on the mice. 

'The presence of people alone has an impact on the species and interferes with their reproduction and foraging,' Mueller told the OCRegister. 

Mayor Federico disagrees and believed the mouse population should try to be managed around the current setup rather than resulting to the closure of the trail.