{"id":42425,"date":"2022-04-12T16:20:33","date_gmt":"2022-04-12T23:20:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sempervirens.org\/?p=42425"},"modified":"2024-12-09T10:05:39","modified_gmt":"2024-12-09T18:05:39","slug":"accessibility-in-the-santa-cruz-mountains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sempervirens.org\/news\/accessibility-in-the-santa-cruz-mountains\/","title":{"rendered":"Accessibility in the Santa Cruz Mountains"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\n\t\tAccessibility in the Santa Cruz Mountains\n\t<\/h1>\n

\n\t\tExploring the Outdoors From Accessible Trails and Beyond\n\t<\/h3>\n\t

Coast redwood trees are quite simply one of the most marvelous living things on the planet, capable of reaching nearly 400 feet tall, supporting countless creatures over their millennial lifespan, and fighting climate change by helping to cool their environment and pulling more carbon out of the air than any other tree. While gazing up at their great heights, they are silently improving our physical, mental, and social health too. Those are just a few of the many reasons we believe in nature for all. But there can be many barriers and challenges to visiting the redwoods-especially access. <\/p>\n

We are showcasing accessible trails in the Santa Cruz mountains, and we talked with Bob Coomber-the renowned hiker “4 Wheel Bob”, lifelong admirer of redwoods, and member of the State Parks Recreational Trails Commission-to discuss his experiences with accessibility and how he has overcome challenges to explore the outdoors far beyond where the paved trail ends.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDonate Now\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVisit Accessible Trails\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t

photos by Ian Bornarth.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t4 Wheel Bob\n\t<\/h2>\n\t

Bob Coomber’s adventures, notably to Kearsarge Pass in the southern Sierra Nevada where he had to stop every 5-10 feet to maneuver trail obstacles, have been well documented by the media including the award-winning documentary “4 Wheel Bob<\/a>” and a Backpacker Magazine article titled “Hell on Wheels<\/a>“. But long before all of that, his epic journey began when the former Oakland Police Officer had to pivot to maintain his love of hiking when diabetes necessitated the use of a wheelchair. He began his foray back into the natural world with paved paths like Livermore’s Sycamore Grove Park but yearned to go further and see more.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"Accessibility\n\t\tBob Coomber also known as “4 Wheel Bob”, by Ian Bornarth\n\t

Progress Not Perfection<\/h3>\n

His next hiking chapter began when he drove to Morgan Territory Regional Preserve southeast of Mount Diablo in the East Bay and almost didn’t get out of his car because the trail looked so dauntingly steep. But he did. Because it was something he really wanted to do and he was determined to try. That was when he decided on what he now calls his first rule, “If you’re pushing and the chair is going in the right direction, keep going.”<\/p>\n

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The Right Stuff<\/h3>\n

Bob quickly realized that the standard issue folding wheelchair he got from the hospital was not up to the task. While he navigated the hills and rocks of the terrain swelling toward the mountain one broke in half while he used it right on the trail. This brought Bob to his second rule: find sturdy equipment, such as his rigid framed trail chair with full suspension and knobby-tires for downhill traction fitted specially for him, and make sure you are comfortable in it because conditions can get far less comfortable on the trail. Because Bob exerts much more physical effort and can take more time than a typical hiker on the trail, he approaches most hikes more like a backpacking trip. Finding the right backpack for extra water and food that is lightweight, doesn’t have a frame, and will fit over his wheelchair between the wheels is essential. Bob also recommends getting equipment with warranties whenever possible since sometimes even specialized items for specific recreation types, weather, or needs don’t always work out.<\/p>\n\t

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“I’m not particularly fond of some Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines because they can be limiting, like that’s all someone can or should do-very short trails. Public agencies have to use the guidelines but I want a more natural experience. You may find it’s not as daunting as you think.”<\/p>\n

-Bob Coomber<\/p>\n\t

Access<\/h3>\n

Once Bob found a local company to size a wheelchair specific to his measurements and outfit it for the trail, he was able to push further and further from Morgan Territory and up toward the looming mountain. His solitary quiet, patience, and determination were rewarded with many beautiful scenes and wildlife encounters just for him.<\/p>\n

On one such hike, he first met the former East Bay Regional Park District Executive Director Bob Doyle who was leading a hike group, and the connection led to Bob advising on accessibility challenges he’d experienced in some parks. Bob would arrive at a park, park in a handicapped parking space with room to get in and out of his wheelchair, and quick access to a trail head only to find that he could park but he couldn’t get into the park. Many gates at trail heads have latches that are too high for people utilizing wheelchairs to reach but thanks to Bob, that’s been changing slowly over the decades thanks to the same patience, positivity, and determination he brings to the trail.<\/p>\n

Although access in parks is largely improving, there is still so much room for growth. Bob has experienced being referred to as a “wheelchair” rather than a person in a wheelchair, and he has consistently had his views completely blocked-even on well-intentioned accessible trails and platforms-by railing right at his line of sight. “I’m not particularly fond of some Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines because they can be limiting, like that’s all someone can or should do-very short trails. Public agencies have to use the guidelines but I want a more natural experience. You may find it’s not as daunting as you think.”<\/p>\n

\n\t\tReconnecting with Redwoods\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\"Bob\n\t\tBob Coomber amongst towering redwoods, by Ian Bornarth\n\t

As Bob gained more hiking experience with his wheelchair, he turned his sights to more parks including the redwoods of the Santa Cruz mountains<\/a> that he explored in his youth from his grandmother’s cabin on Zayante Road outside of Felton where the sun barely stood a chance of reaching the forest floor’s unique bugs and salamanders sheltered by the dense canopy above. “I’ve always been impressed with redwoods’ ability to grow so old and overcome challenges<\/a>. They have developed a system of surviving. As a boy, I used to marvel at how they’ve gotten so good at it when they can’t even move.” Perhaps redwoods lent an inspirational pillar at a young age in Bob’s mindset to approach challenges positively and to make the day what he wants of it.<\/p>\n

Hard-Learned Hiking Tips<\/h3>\n

His list of hard-learned hiking tips tailor to each trail but here are some suggestions for aspiring hikers in the redwoods:<\/p>\n