Is there an easement? That is what matters
Near as I can tell from the article, there is no recorded easement, but there is a claim of an easement by use (or some such thing)
That would be the simplest solution, barring that this will go to trial. The judge will most likely side with the public and rule based upon historic use and photographic evidence.
At least that’s what happened in my o e abd only prescriptive rights case that I was involved in.
IANAL, but I think they have a case. The pathway was not maintained exclusively - public access was granted for at least seventy year.
IANAL, but we do have common law in the US, one way or another.
“Is there an easement? That is what matters”
Read tge article and do your homework ...
Not that simple in California.
Prescriptive rights creates a permanent legal easement.