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Stowe Trail

Col. Thomas M. Bedell, the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Brian W. Jones, the senator representing California’s 38th Senate...

Permit and Application l Schedule l Public Safety l Rules and Regulations

The Stowe Trail is approximately 4 miles long and parallels the eastern border of MCAS Miramar and is marked with appropriate signs to facilitate access to the trail by members of the San Diego community who have obtained a valid permit. Applications for permits must be submitted through the MCAS Miramar Provost Marshal’s Office. The official MCAS Miramar website contains pertinent information regarding the process to obtain a permit and appropriate use of the trail.

*Note: There are no other trails aboard MCAS Miramar that will be opened.

Stowe Trail Permit Application and Access

Stowe Trail Permit Application (PDF)

Stowe Trail Liability Waiver (PDF)

Follow the instructions below to apply for access to Stowe Trail:

1. Download the background form and liability waiver via the link on this web page.

2. Read the liability waiver but DO NOT SIGN, this document must be witnessed at Vehicle Registration. If you do not agree to the liability waiver's provisions you will not be issued a pass and may stop the application here.

3. Fill out and sign the background document; instructions are on page 2 of the SECNAV 5512/1 form (Stowe Trail Permit Application) .

4. Bring the completed application/background document and liability waiver, with all required supporting identification in person to B6200, Vehicle Registration, MCAS Miramar (Accessed via I-15, take the Miramar Way exit, then west bound on Miramar Way) Use the right lane and inform the gate sentry that you need to drop off your background form for Stowe Trail.

5. Allow 10 working days and then call Vehicle Registration at: 858-307-1463 to see if your background application is approved, denied or still pending.

6. If approved, you will be assigned a specific day that you can come to Building 6200, Vehicle Registration, MCAS Miramar to be photographed and receive your permit.

7. Enter Vehicle Registration and obtain a copy of your approved background form.

8. Once you have the background form, take it to the building adjacent to Vehicle Registration.

9. Provide the form to an official at Vehicle Registration and wait to receive your Stowe Trail identification card (permit).

Note: Wait times to receive the identification card may vary as uniformed personnel and civilian base employees have priority.

Note: Only U.S. Citizens are eligible to apply for a Stowe Trail permit.

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Accessing Stowe Trail

Q1. Now that you have opened Stowe Trail, will other trails on East Miramar be opened?

A1. The Stowe Trail is open only to use by approved permit holders. It is the only trail aboard MCAS Miramar that permit holders will be allowed to access.

Q2. Is the Stowe Trail being opened to the public?

A2. Stowe Trail may be used by approved permit holders to connect recreation areas north and south of MCAS Miramar. Applications for permits must be submitted through the MCAS Miramar Provost Marshall’s Office.

Q3. Who will be able to obtain a permit?

A3. All U.S. citizens, 10 years of age and older, must obtain a permit in order to access Stowe Trail. Approval of permits will depend on the results of background checks for adults and the completion of appropriate paperwork by all applicants. Permit holders under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult permit holder. Children under the age of 10 may access Stowe Trail with a permit-holding parent or legal guardian provided that the permit holder has a signed liability waiver on file for each child.

Q4. Will a background check be done in order to qualify for a permitted-access ID card?

A4. A full local and national criminal background check will be done for all applicants 18 years of age and older.

Q5. What is the policy for minors accessing the Stowe Trail with adult permit holders?

A5. Permit-holding parents and legal guardians may accompany their children provided they have signed liability waiver for each child and each child 10-17 years old has a permit. Children under 10 years old with a liability waiver on file must be escorted by their permit-holding parent or legal guardian. Children 10-17 must have a permit and be escorted by an adult permit holder.

Q6. What is the permit application process?

A6. Prospective applicants for a Stowe Trail permit must be U.S. Citizens and provide a form of government identification and social security card. If born outside of the United States, applicants must also provide a U.S. Citizenship certificate. Prospective applicants must submit this documentation to the MCAS Miramar Vehicle Registration office. All applicants 18 or older will also complete a background investigation form as a prerequisite for a permit to the Stowe Trail, which is available on the Stowe Trail website in PDF form. Applicants under age 18 who do not have any form of ID must present their birth certificate or social security card in order to obtain a permit. Background checks will take approximately 10 business days to process and, once completed, will be available for pick up at Vehicle Registration, Building 6200 Miramar Way, adjacent to the East Gate of MCAS Miramar.

Q7. Are there additional steps that need to take place before a permit is issued?

A7. Applicants will be issued a Stowe Trail access permit and ID upon receipt of an approved background check, visual inspection of valid state or federal government issued photo identification, and signature of the liability wavier and agreement to conditions and rules for access.

Q8. Can my access permit be revoked?

A8. The Stowe Trail access permit and ID are the property of The United States Government and may be revoked by the Commanding Officer, MCAS Miramar or his designated representative (Provost Marshal), at any time.

Q9. Do access permits expire?

A9. Permits are good for one year from date signed. Once the permit expires, a new application process must be completed to acquire another permit.

Q10. If I have a permit can I bring a guest?

A10. Permit holders are not authorized to sponsor guests or extend access to anyone who is not in possession of a Stowe Trail access permit and ID.

Q11. What happens during the signing of the liability waiver and acknowledgement agreement?

A11. Registration clerks will witness all applicants, 18 and older, reading and signing the liability wavier and rules agreement forms for Stowe Trail before issuing passes. Paperwork for applicants under age 18 must be signed by a parent or legal guardian, which will also be witnessed by a registration clerk.

Q12. What if I don’t meet access requirements?

A12. Applicants who do not meet access requirements will be notified via letter. Individuals may contact Vehicle Registration after 10 business days to inquire on the status.

Q13. What will occur if someone accesses the trail without a permit?

A13. Persons who access Stowe Trail without a permit may be subject to citations, fines, and any other punitive measure as determined by the U.S. District Court.

Q14. Do active duty service members require a permit to utilize the Stowe Trail?

A14. Yes, the policy is the same for active duty (and reserve) service members as it is for civilians and retirees. They will still have to go through the process of obtaining a permit in order to access the Stowe Trail.

Q15. How long until my permit expires?

Q15. Permits will expire one year after they are issued.

Q16. What is the difference between “permitted access” and open to the public?

A16. “Permitted access” means that users of Stowe Trail will be required to apply for a permit through the Provost Marshal’s Office aboard MCAS Miramar and have that permit on their person at all times while accessing the trail.

The Stowe Trail will generally be open to permit holders during daylight hours year round; this includes federal and military holidays.

This section may also include information pertaining to closure of the trail due to safety concerns, inclement weather, etc.

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Trail Hours

Q1. What hours and days is the trail open?

A1. The Stowe Trail will generally be open to permit holders during daylight hours year round.

Q2. Will the trail be opened on federal and military holidays?

A2. Yes, the trail will generally be open during daylight hours year round.

Q3. Will the trail ever be closed?

A3. The trail can be closed without warning due to extenuating circumstances, such as inclement weather impacting the trail. Notifications of closures will be announced via the official MCAS Miramar Twitter account – follow @MCASMiramarCA for updates.

Emergency services are limited in this area and may exceed standard response times. Stowe Trail is in a remote location and it could take a significant amount of time for emergency personnel to arrive if there is a medical emergency. Safety concerns will be greatly mitigated by users staying on the Stowe Trail as required by the permit.

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Trail Safety

Q1. Are there safety concerns with the trail?

A1. Safety concerns will be greatly mitigated by users staying on the Stowe Trail as required by the permit. With that said, the Stowe Trail is in a remote location, and it could take a significant amount of time for emergency personnel to arrive if there is a medical emergency.

Q2. Who will respond if there is an emergency?

A2. Emergency services are limited in this area and may exceed standard response times. The responding agency will depend on where the incident occurs. MCAS Miramar Fire and PMO are the primary responding agencies. San Diego Sherriff’s Department or other agencies may respond per mutual aid agreements.

Q3. Are there signs along the trail?

A3. There are signs along the trail to ensure permit holders stay within the boundaries of the trail.

Q4. What are the rules associated with the use of the trail?

A4. Please see the Rules and Regulations section of this FAQ. Additionally, please follow standard mountain biking etiquette as laid out by the International Mountain Biking Association. https://www.imba.com/resources/risk-management/shared-trails

Q5. Is there cell phone reception on the trail?

A5. Depending on your carrier there is limited cellular reception on Stowe Trail.

Q6. What do I do if I find unexploded ordnance?

A6. Call 9-1-1. Do not touch the unexploded ordnance. Please refer to UXO website for more information. http://www.miramar-ems.marines.mil/Divisions/Environmental-Engineering-Division/Munitions-Response-MRP/

Q7. Are there any dangerous sections of the trail, for instance, drop-offs or cliffs?

A7. There are no drastic elevation changes on Stowe Trail. There are some drop-offs of eight to ten feet and we recommend riders possess an advanced level of skill in order to use Stowe Trail.

Q8. Are there water stations on the trail?

A8. No, there are no water stations along Stowe Trail. Goodan Ranch, at the north end of the Trail, has some amenities, please refer to their website. http://www.sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/park-pages/GoodanSycamore.html

Q9. What type of wildlife might I encounter on Stowe Trail?

A9. Please refer to the MCAS Miramar Environmental Website for more information. http://www.miramar-ems.marines.mil/Divisions/Natural-Resources-Division/Natural-Resources/

Please follow standard mountain biking etiquette as laid out by the International Mountain Biking Association.

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General Information

Q1. What is the age required to obtain a permit?

A1. All U.S. citizens, 10 years of age and older, must obtain a permit in order to access Stowe Trail. Approval of permits will depend on the results of background checks for adults and the completion of appropriate paperwork by all applicants. Permit holders under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult permit holder. Children under the age of 10 may access Stowe Trail with a permit-holding parent or legal guardian provided that the permit holder has a signed liability waiver on file for each child.

Q2. What will occur if someone accesses the trail without a permit?

A2. Persons who access Stowe Trail without a permit may be subject to citations, fines, and any other punitive measure as determined by the U.S. District Court. Specifically, these persons may be subject to a $500 fine and confiscation of property.

Q3. What are the ramifications of going off the trail?

A3. Persons who trespass onto trails other than Stowe Trail, and all persons who lack a permit, may be subject to citations and any other punitive measure as determined by the U.S. District Court. These persons may be subject to a $500 fine, confiscation of property, and loss of permit.

Q4. How do I know the boundaries of the trail?

A4. There are signs along the trail to ensure permit holders stay within the boundaries of the trail.

Q5. What is the helmet policy?

A5. Helmets are required while riding a bicycle aboard all U.S. Marine Corps installations.

Q6. Am I allowed to ride a motorized vehicle on the trail?

A6. No, motorized vehicles are prohibited from using Stowe Trail.

Q7. What forms of transportation are authorized on the trail?

A7. Activity while on the trail is restricted to recreational bicycling, hiking, and horseback riding; no intentional delay or other unauthorized activity is permitted.

Q8. Are there canine restrictions?

A8. Full or mixed breeds of Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, canid/wolf hybrids, and any other canine breed with dominant traits of aggression, present an unreasonable risk to the health and safety of personnel on Marine Corps installations and are prohibited.

Q9. Can my permit be revoked?

A9. Any disruptive, disorderly or illegal conduct may result in the permanent revocation of trail privileges and be subject to enforcement by law enforcement officials and prosecution under U.S. code.

Q10. Are items prohibited from being on the trail?

A10. Prohibited items include firearms, knives, replica or toy weapons, pepper spray, mace, stun guns, martial arts weapons, or other weapons of any kind (regardless of permit); alcoholic beverages; drones (i.e. quad or hex copters); lasers or laser pointers; and federally-banned substances such as illicit narcotics and marijuana. State laws regarding medical and recreational marijuana are NOT recognized aboard MCAS Miramar, including Stowe Trail.

Q11. Are trail improvements and maintenance allowed?

A11. Any modification or other “improvement” of the trail is strictly prohibited unless specifically authorized by the commanding officer of MCAS Miramar.

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