Linda Palmer, a longtime advocate for local trails, died June 22.
Palmer began her commitment to trails in the local mountains in 1975 when she moved to Calabasas with her family. Since then, she has worked with Los Angeles County, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Ventura County, State Parks, the National Park Service and other agencies designing, building and maintaining trails for public use.
Palmer helped design and promote Los Angeles County’s Trail Plan for the Santa Monica Mountains. She designed the Upper Stunt High Trail, which she also built with the help of volunteers.
In 1984, Palmer coordinated the feasibility study for the Los Angeles County portion of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historical Trail. Additionally, from 1993 to 1994, she co-chaired the Anza Trail Plan Task force to assist the National Park Service with the specific plan through Los Angeles County.
Equal to Palmer’s passion for trails was her passion for horses. One of her horses was a palomino Tennessee walking horse named Midas, whom she taught many tricks, including how to rear on command. Another horse was Baraka, an Arabian with whom she did endurance riding and trail riding. Palmer had the fastest time ever in the Malibu Endurance Ride, completing 50 miles in five hours and 46 min. In 1985, she completed the Tevis, a most arduous ride of 100 miles in one day, from Squaw Valley over the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Auburn.
“Linda was passionate about protecting trails and ensuring their legacy for the future,” Palmer’s family and friends wrote. “She was knowledgeable, a mentor to many, and an inspiration to all.”
A celebration of life will take place Sunday, Sept. 29 at King Gillette Ranch, 26800 Mulholland Hwy, at 3 p.m. To RSVP, contact the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council at 818.222.4531 or smmtc.org.