Apple Valley Legacy Trail

06/23/2026

Torched.

Sadly spectacular.

06/23/2026

After the 1967 fire, the rebuild, tribute structure became a corporate tax write off via board room, conference center and rentable space for community parties, weddings and other events.

This period (1968 to the mid 90’s) ushered in diverse, community access, generational context and cemented AV cultural soul.

Some of today’s or yesterdays Apples were likely conceived following a night at Hilltop - where their parents danced in AVs Skybox.

Generational Heritage = Legacy.

Sad fact: while Bass encouraged community integration, today’s Council obstructs it.

06/22/2026

This page exists to see that the publicly owned Legacy Trail property actually OPENS to the public.

Basic stuff : no improvements, a legit access point, proper trail insurance, dog p**p control, adopt a trail for community participation….and mix in a trash can or two.

If that is beyond the Towns range or breaks the Town budget or their ability to even plan for it, than “Houston we have bigger problems…”

The grant contract actually had terms and conditions to be fulfilled.

The Town of Apple Valley, California can do it !!!

Do what ?
Ten years in; Keep their promise. 🙂

06/22/2026

McKay wedding 1983. V. McKay photo credit. We shamelessly harvest via the internet, vintage pics of Hilltop House and place in this Photo album. Thanks to all who have contributed precious pics over the years. If you post'em, we'll share 'em !

06/22/2026

1981 Gatson Wedding
Alan Tucker photo credit

06/22/2026

"The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is." –C.S. Lewis

06/22/2026

“Our Story
It started with a car accident and four artists living in the High Desert and an old motel room available in a historic building.”

06/15/2026

Happy trails to you !

The ongoing, diverse generational comments, expectations, memories, interpretations, and community/regional/international expressions make Hilltop pure, and itself a legacy icon. It is woven into the fabric of 3 generations or more of Apple Townies and former Apples who moved or passed away.

The original community group who spear headed the AVLT (2012-2017) with an award winning concept that captured UNEQUIVAOCAL SUPPORT OF TOWN COUNCIL (Art Bishop for Town Council, Kari Leon for Apple Valley Town Council, Curt Emick for Apple Valley Town Council a CA State grant recognized all of this. It was a beginning and huge.

Like all man made things left to themselves with little to no maintenance or care, the mansion in the sky withered away due to owner neglect, nature and vandals.

The Skybox place itself, ease of community access within a core urban setting, and it's deep, cultural heritage surrounding it which make it a compelling start...whether or not new pavilions or other capitol improvements ever are funded. This has always been a generational baton to pass on to the next generation.

The Town of Apple Valley, California will tell us of huge costs for this that or the other. Convenient amnesia setting in with the council members who promised much, delivered little, and disguised their true intentions to simply acquire land by fooling the deep community resources which delivered Reclaim.

Can they - our leaders and long time residents - find a way to rise to the MINIMUM LEVEL of : true public access, adopt a trail community programs, dog p**p patrol, trash cans and fundamental trail liability insurance to protect the trekkers and the Town itself from liability ?
Surely they recognize that the place is a magnet for 100's of trekkers each week, its a iconic public land and they are the stewards of it.

Will the Apple Valley Legacy Trail ever appear on the Towns website as a place of honor and heritage?

Myth #12:
"The Ruin was salvageable and could have been restored."

Awesome youtube video in link below: Hilltop House Hospice.