South bay reservoirs have something to hold

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Agencies listed on the sign collaborated to make Blair Ranch public open space, near Uvas Road (ranching continues).

I hadn’t been south on McKean Road for two years, so I headed out to check the reservoirs and enjoy the scenery.

After a normal winter for rainfall, all the reservoirs are full, except Calero at 43 percent.

That reservoir, built in 1935, has earthquake stability issues, so it cannot be at more than 55 percent capacity.

Green hillsides are rapidly turning brown and the wildflower season is kaput.

McKean, which badly needed paving between Calero Park entrance and the Cinnabar Hills Golf Course, gave a smooth ride today, a welcome change.

I noticed lots of roadside garbage in normally pristine places. We’re drowning in garbage.

The good news for the day was a sign on Uvas Road indicating Blair Ranch has been added to Cañada Rancho del Oro Open Space Preserve.

Mind you, this transaction/donation happened back in 2007, but this is the first I’ve seen the sign.

The plan is to build a bridge over Llagas Creek in the Rancho parking area this year so access can begin to the 860-or-so acres of cattle ranch land.

Lots of photos can be seen on this website. It looks like it will give more room for mountain bikes to roam the hills on old ranch roads, but I’m not aware of any plans for trails being built.

This was my first time riding on Uvas Road, Oak Glen, McKean on a weekday. It’s a mixed bag. There’s more traffic up to Cinnabar Hills Golf Course, compared to a Sunday, but a little bit less in other areas.

In general, weekday drivers are in a hurry to get somewhere. It’s not so bad that way on Sundays.