Mendocino’s Big River Haul Road Multi-use Trail becomes more accessible with new gate 

MENDOCINO CO., 5/26/25 – Accessing one of the county’s most scenic trails is now easier for hikers of all abilities with the creation of a new barrier-free entrance at Big River Haul Road, MendoParks announced Tuesday.  

The road is part of the Big River Trail, a ten-mile trail that connects Big River Beach with Mendocino Woodlands State Park. The multi-use road is used by bikers, equestrians, runners, hikers, and people using wheelchairs.  

However, access to the haul road for people using wheelchairs and other assistive devices has always been a challenge when they arrive at the road’s gated entrance, MendoParks said. Often individuals with wheelchairs would have limited access or have to go off-road to go around the gate, risking their safety.  

That’s when California State Parks Chief Ranger Loren Rex contacted Sid Garza-Hillman of MendoParks. According to Garza-Hillman, Rex pitched the idea of modifying the gate to make it truly accessible.  

Vehicles are not allowed to use the haul road – hence the gate’s existence to block the entrance.  

After getting approval from State Parks Superintendent Bill Maslach, MendoParks purchased bollards, and Rex worked with a contactor to modify the gate and install the bollards.  

Two weeks later, the project was completed. Now, everyone can safely access the haul road.  

One of the first to pass through the newly adapted gate was Leslie Krongold. A Mendocino Coast resident, Krongold uses a wheelchair and takes groups on accessible walks and hikes.  

“I was so thrilled to see the gate opened to roll through,” she said. “Making this path accessible to wheelchair users is a wonderful next step.”