Buck Gully reopens with bridges, improved trails

Maudie Whyte, 91, of Costa Mesa, hiked to the first bridge with her son, Jim Whyte, 64, who used to play in the Buck Gully area as a child growing up in Corona del Mar.

"We used to make forts," he said. "It was all cattle, no trees.'

"You could hear them mooing and mooing," Maudie Whyte said. Today original fence posts and wires can still be seen along the path, although most areas feel remote and removed from civilization.

"I think it's beautiful," said Maudie Whyte who hiked to the first bridge and back. "I didn't believe they made such a nice bridge."

"This definitely takes away my private escape, but I'm happy they are saving it," her son said.

Linda Rasner of Corona del Mar had never been in the area before.

"I think it's great," she said. "I thought if I went to the opening, maybe it would inspire me to come back more often."

The trails eventually will have Eagle Scout-made kiosks and markers.

Eventually, the conservancy will organize docent-led hikes that will focus on flowers, night creatures and more.

The trail cost $180,000, half paid by Newport Beach and the rest funded with grant money. The conservancy has a longterm contract to maintain the Buck Gully trails.

amy@coronadelmartoday.com

Twitter: @coronadelmartdy