EL NINO-DAMAGED TRAILS NEED MONTHS, MILES OF REPAIR WORK.

Byline: Kevin F. Sherry Daily News Staff Writer

El Nino has left long-lasting footprints across the trails of state and national parklands in Ventura County.

Because of erosion, fallen trees, washouts and debris, many trails in Point Mugu State Park, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and Los Padres National Forest have been closed or restricted.

Volunteers are helping to clear pathways used by hikers, bikers and equestrians, but park officials say some trails might not be open for up to 18 months.

Of the 60 miles of riding and hiking trails in Point Mugu State Park, 40 to 45 miles have some kind of closure or restriction, said Ranger Tony Hoffman of Point Mugu State Park.

``The whole backcountry was closed until about a week ago,'' Hoffman said.

Sections of some trails have collapsed, many others are badly damaged. While many remain closed, officials have opened some trails to hikers only. Officials also warn that additional closures are possible if rains continue.

The trails in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area alone require $211,000 in repairs, said Jean Bray, the park's spokeswoman. In total, the park suffered $695,000 in damage from El Nino.

Repairs to the 45 miles of closed trails could take between 12 and 18 months, although two trails have been reopened already thanks to the help of volunteers, she said.

Volunteers using hand tools and some motorized equipment continue repairs, said Ranger Mike Malone, volunteer coordinator for the park.

Many trails are susceptible to erosion because they act as a sort of creek bed when water flows through the mountains, Malone said. The result is a groove in the trail.

``It just cuts a little canyon,'' Malone said. ``It just erodes it. It makes a V-like cut in the trail.''

Officials in other parks have not been able to tally all the damage in terms of miles or dollars, because some areas still remain inaccessible.

``We really haven't gotten too far into the back wilderness,'' said Sue Zahn, acting wilderness and trails manager of the Ojai Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest. ``We're asking that people just use common sense when they go out there.''

Even if parks were able to estimate the cost of repairs, they still might need to wait to fix trails until money became available, Hoffman said. Roads and highways used daily by great numbers of people receive more workers and finances than trails.

``There aren't a whole lot of funds available,'' he said. ``You don't see the government throwing money at us.''

Malibu Creek State Park has no official closures, although a few trails do have restrictions on them.

For information on trail restrictions or to volunteer to help clear them, contact the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area at [phone], Ext. 205, Point Mugu State Park at [phone] or Los Padres National Forest at [phone].