Putting park in drive

"Every so often I get a mouthful of bitter," Ajian said.

That didn't stop him from acting out what he described as a deep sense of dedication and respect for the terrain that overlooked his home. Like many who used the reserve's four main hiking trails, he expressed frustration with the decision to reopen only a small portion of the park.

Park officials estimated it would take more than 1,000 hours to clear and rebuild the reserve's main trails. Because the effort would be threatened by winter storms, they'll begin the work when the soil stabilizes next spring.

"Let's be honest, they're calling it a reopening, but it's mostly for members of the City Council to come and do a dog-and-pony show," Ajian said. "This is a wilderness park. And unless people can enjoy the wilderness, what exactly are they reopening?"

Officials said they plan to christen the park with a brief hike up to a large, surviving live oak tree — an effort to give park-goers their first glances of natural recovery. Other scheduled events include a demonstration of how American Indians used fire to manage the land and a lecture on the land's developer, George LeMesnager.

Acquired in 1898 by LeMesnager, the property went on to serve as a working ranch. Another discussion deals with the stone barn vineyard and the rebirth of winemaking in the Crescenta Valley.

Francoise Grand-Clement, of La Crescenta, could not wait to return.

"I was so devastated watching the Station fire," she said. "And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to help, pitch in."