Environment : Notes about your surroundings.

Alone Again: Visitors over the age of 18 may once again hike the trails of Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park alone. County supervisors Tuesday lifted the ban on solo hikers imposed after two incidents in the summer of 1986 in which mountain lions had mauled children.

The park, which is in the Santa Ana Mountains off Ortega Highway, was closed entirely for 3 months beginning in October, 1986. When when it reopened the next January, lone adults were not allowed in camping and picnic areas. In addition, minors were barred from about 90% of the park and from camping overnight, and these rules are still in force. The new rules and the publicity about the maulings cut attendance almost in half.

Visitors are now required to sign a wilderness permit and a liability waiver.