OHV Newsletter February 2006.pub - Southern California Mountains

vol-un-teer: “A person who voluntarily
offers himself/herself for a service or
undertaking” —Webster's
2N49 Vehicle Removal Project Report
1/29/2006
By Leslie Brown OHV54V
A publication of
the S.B.N.F.A.
Hail, hail the gangs all here
Hummers grapple with the first of 5 vehicles
Saturday started out with a brisk morning,
even for `flat-land' elevations, but with the
weather promising to be beautiful. Gathering in
the Burger King parking lot for an early departure was a very impressive turn-out of people
and vehicles. With the promise of a barbeque
afterwards, and a project requiring a significant
amount of work, everyone was anxious to get
started.
Once everyone had arrived, we conducted
the tailgate and safety meeting, and turned the
strategizing over to Rick Roberts. Rick directed
the project to split into 2 groups: one group with
6 Hummers led by myself to acquire the 3 dead
mini-trucks at Pine Flat, while he would lead the
second group to retrieve the 2 vehicles along the
trail. Rex Oswald would accompany the second
group to oversee and be the photographer. Since
the project would be delaying passage on the
trail by other visitors, yet we can't actually close
the trail, Christopher and Kathy Pratt and Greg
Hoffman self-designated themselves as the trail
watchers. The Pratts would go to the top of
What’s Inside
What’s Inside
www.sbnfa.org
The San Bernardino
National Forest OHV
Volunteer Program is
a collaboration
between the San Bernardino National Forest, the San Bernardino National Forest
(Continued on page 2)
Association (SBNFA),
and our enthusiast,
See Page
See Page
industry and corpo2N49 Vehicle Removal Project Report
1—4
OHV Leadership Directory
11
out the OHV commu-
Grump-in-Training Patrol Report
4&5
Mill Creek Patrol
12
nity. All printed mate-
Gold Mountain Patrol
6
Inaugural “On the Right Trail” Class
7
Grump Patrol Report
8
rate partners through-
rials are provided by
the Association.
www.sbnfa.org
Grump Controller Patrol Report
3W13 Trail Maintenance
8&9
10
OHV HOTLINE – Weekly activity updates available by calling (909) 884-6634, Ext. 3300.
Page 2
(Continued from page 1)
It took two Hummer winches to get this one up the hill
Hummers take on a couple more hulks at Pine Flats
2N49 at Pine Flat, while Greg would stay at the entry gate to
let any visitors know to expect very long delays if they wished
to continue on the trail.
Finally, with equipment checked, flags waving and cameras ready, the procession headed up Palm Ave. At the trail
gate we gained a `street- legal' pre-runner from another AAT
group (sorry, I didn't get the details). Hey, it had a license
plate on it! I called `In Service, plus 15', and we headed up the
trail. I led the first group, consisting of myself and co-pilot
Kevin, 6 Psycho Squad Hummers, 1 pre-runner, another AAT
group Jeep (sorry, again no details), our very own Safety Coordinator Billie Sims with wife Connie and Christopher and
Kathy Pratt. We made our way up 2N49, passing the first and
second vehicles along the trail that were to be removed by the
second group. As we neared our destination at Pine Flat, I
stopped so Kevin could mark a spot on the trail. There was a
washing machine over the side that we wanted to retrieve on
the way back down. Back in motion, we all went left on the
spur at Pine Flat except for the Pratts. This is where they
would station themselves for trail watch duty.
As soon as we reached the clearing where the 3 minitrucks had previously been staged, the Psycho Squad guys just
jumped right in and did their thing. All the rest of us could do
was stand back and watch in amazement as the team of Psychos made what was to be a difficult job look easy. In less
than ½ an hour, all 3 vehicles were strapped to a Hummer in
the front and rear. These guys were anxious to get to that
BBQ!
The group started to head back down the mountain, with
the pre-runner in the lead. He went down the trail ahead of us
to winch the washing machine up on to the trail for retrieval
with Kevin assisting. After a short stop for the retrieval process, one of the mini-trucks was designated to haul its last payload: a dead truck hauling a dead appliance. On the move
again we slowly made our way down the trail.
With co-pilot Kevin's help, we managed to pick up all of the
debris that kept falling off the dead trucks.
Surprisingly, even though all 3 trucks were being dragged
on their frame or axles, no damage was being made to the
One Hummer pulls the hulk, the other brakes and steers
Once on the road, a third Hummer takes over
(Continued on page 3)
OHV HOTLINE – Weekly activity updates available by calling
(909) 884-6634, Ext. 3300.
Page 3
(Continued from page 2)
Getting hulks with no wheels around a tight corner
Pairs of Hummers with their hulks in tow
covered was finally on the trail, and cradled between 2 Hummers. Hooray! Rick led the procession of recovered vehicles
trial. In fact the trail is in better condition than before. The last back down the trail. All of the dead vehicles and garbage
made it to the designated area
truck being dragged still had
outside of the Forest Service
both axles, which were acting
gate, to be disposed of by other
as a grader. The trail is now
means. The dead vehicles and
smoother and less rocky than
garbage were no longer an eyebefore.
sore or hazard to the forest, and
In time, we came to the
were gone from the area for
scene of the last vehicle exgood by nightfall.
traction. This one was to be
Now, off to the BBQ! But
the most difficult. It was down
the fun had there would be anthe embankment about 250
other subject, so we won't go
feet. Rick Roberts and Jim
off topic:-)
Vick mastered this one themThis was really a great
selves, with much assistance
day! Many, many thanks to the
from everyone looking on.
Psycho Squad and their skill
About this time Grump 2, Jim
and enthusiasm. Many thanks
Hoeltgen finally showed up
The caravan makes its way to the bottom of 2N49
to all of the OHV and AAT
with some sob story about his
people that helped make this a
unbeatable Jeep breaking
down on the way here. Right, just in time for the BBQ. After very successful project. The successes were many: dead vehiskillful winching and maneuvering, the last vehicle to be re- cle and garbage removed from the forest, no incidents, no in-
Grading the road as you are hauling the trash
Rick Roberts, head Psycho demos a Hummer
car crusher
(Continued
on page 4)
Page 4
(Continued from page 3)
Psycho Party, Got Diesel?
Our fearless leader and cleanup organizer, Leslie Brown
fire hazard was minimal. Thanks again to everyone!
juries to people or equipment. Everything was performed in a
safe manner, only minor ground disturbance occurred, and the Leslie Brown OHV54V
drizzle the day before left everything damp enough that the [email protected]
Grump-in-Training Patrol Report
1/8/2006
Having just completed the Patrol Leaders training, with
my mind full of new & exciting information, I was feeling
empowered to go out & represent the SBNFA in our local
forests... Or more accurately Bonnie was suffering withdrawal symptoms having only driven on the pavement all
week!!! A quick call to our mentor, Jim, a date was set for
today, 09:00 AM at Big Bear Ranger Station where we were
to go out & look for suspicious people lurking in the forest!!!!
Martin and Bonnie Canty
Heading out to Cactus flats & 3N03 we started our patrol
in earnest; promptly losing Greg who was bringing up the
rear, heading back 1/4 mile we found Greg pulled over the
side of the road inspecting some fresh graffiti. While we were
discussing the best solution to the graffiti problem (future
project: borrow Chon's sand blaster & remove the graffiti) we
heard some shots! Illegal target shooting? Heading back to
where we thought we heard the shots coming from we found
nothing!!! Not to worry, with the agility of a Mountain Goat I
raced to the top of an outcrop of graffiti covered rocks &
spotted a truck some 1/3 mile away from us. We raced over to
the scene of the crime (down a spur). At the truck there was a
boy of perhaps 13-14 in possession of a rifle with his kid sister in attendance & no adult supervision!!!! At this point Bonnie & I stood off some 50m while Jim was out at the road &
Greg nowhere in sight!!! It turns out that he was delayed in
calling into dispatch; Greg joined us & made contact with the
shooters… The story was that they were Quail hunting (with
a high powered rifle? I must find out how this hunting thing
works....) Adults were out in the brush & contact was not
made with them. Time to move on.
We awoke to yet another of those Big Bear mornings, ice
crunching underfoot, tripping over the dogs etc... The conditions could not have been more perfect (not that they are ever
less than perfect). Jeep loaded we raced over to BBRS with
eager anticipation of the days events, what will happen today? A full tank of gas, camera, maps & notebooks ready we
arrived at BBRS to see Jims red Jeep but Jim nowhere in
sight!!! No problem, we checked in to the office to find Jim
Hoeltgen, Dave Jones & Greg deep in discussion... After
warm greetings we found out that Greg wanted to check out
Horsetheif Flats & see if last weekends red Cher-O-ky had
been removed.... No problem, we can take Greg over the
black diamond bits as he was lacking his usual transportation
About 1/4 mile later we lost Greg again, he had spotted a
(some convoluted story about the Agency being bent outta
couch in a spur; returning, we cleaned up the small trash &
shape about a few dent in his Jeep!!!)
left the couch for a future project.
Setting out, Jim immediately suggested that I put my
Heading onwards, we reached 3N03A; within the space
new-found knowledge to the test & lead the patrol... No problem... Except that I can't call us into service without an OHV of 1/2 mile we had found 3 shooting (target) stands & a
camper shell. Again cleaning up the small trash we made a
number; problem solved, Jim called us into service.
note to return to this area to clean up the large material &
This was to be a nice quiet patrol to ease me into the role.
(Continued on page 5)
Page 5
(Continued from page 4)
spent shells, replace shot-out signs & post no shooting signs
(well, if there are no shooting signs they will act as a target
for the shooters rather than cans & bottles!!!!)
Arriving at the start of the Black-Diamond sign Greg
parked his truck (out of the way of potential target shooters)
& rode with Jim. We headed down to Horsetheif Flats with
no incident except universally commenting that the recent
storm had improved/degraded (depending on your point of
view) the road & made it a little more fun!
Reaching the bottom of the trail, we found no trace of
the red Cher-O-ky, had it been recovered? had it been stolen? had it been washed away in the storm? all possibilities
were considered as we searched the canyon for possible
clues as to the final disposition of last weeks incident!
After looking through the canyon for a while, taking in
the points of historical interest, listening to Greg telling stories of the canyons history, both ancient & recent, we
stopped for lunch. During lunch we found our first real problem of the day; Bonnie had forgotten the hot dog buns!!!!
They were left at home sitting on the kitchen counter....
Well, we can consider them history now as both the dogs
just love bread & have no problem reaching up to grab food
from the counter!!!
Over lunch we passes the responsibility of story telling
to Jim; who entertained us with stories of driving on snow &
ice in Michigan, Chicago, the Artic Tundra & Big Bear.
Lunch over, we resumed our survey of the canyon,
checking gulleys, hills & dry river beds for signs of abandoned vehicles, gold & other things we could find. This time
there was a vehicle switch... Bonnie with Jim & Greg with
me. After checking the canyon, we hit the trail again, up the
long & tortuous 3N03A, Driving Bonnies jeep I accidentally
damaged a rock & ripped off the running passenger side
board (never needed them anyway; just get in the way.....
Shhhh don't tell Bonnie). Reaching Greg's truck we decided
to check out Sand Canyon road to see if there had been any
more woodcutting activity & also exploring 2N48Y, a spur
off of 2N93 which (coincidentally) was a dog walking area
for both Greg and Bonnie & I (small mountain!). After an
uneventful trip up the 18, around Baldwin Lake & through
Shay Meadows we arrived at 2N93.
Having dressed for cold conditions Bonnie & I were
feeling a little more comfortable, there was snow & ice on
the road. Dumping Greg's truck again, we turned up 2N48Y,
soon reaching virgin snow; where no mere mortal had yet
feared to tread... Leading the way (in case Jim got stuck) we
headed on up to an area of suspicious woodcutting activity;
noting that a few more trees had been marked in the last 7
days. (time for another foot patrol). We headed on, up to-
ward Sugarloaf, the road getting steeper & steeper, the snow
getting deeper & deeper. There reaches a point where we
had to turn around; I like to think that it was the end of the
road, Jim preferring to think that Bonnies jeep couldn't get
any further (I guess both would be true in the case that it was
the end of the road!!!).
Back down onto 2N93 we were about to retrieve Greg's
truck when we heard this unmistakable sound....... Yes,
chainsaws!!! The chase was on, 2 chainsaws somewhere
west on 2N27, Sand Canyon rd. We drove along the road,
periodically stopping to check for sounds & tracks in the
snow, all to no avail, the word must have been out, we were
in the forest!!! Not that we didn't find evidence; sure there
was plenty of evidence, old tracks into the wood, cut trees,
including green Mountain Mahogany (the wood of choice
from our friends of last Sunday). Alas no sign of the woodcutters, Greg even stopped a Jeep which was driving in the
opposite direction. Now, it is possible that our friends had
reached the forest from the Sugarloaf subdivision, certainly
Bonnie & I may well check the area out on foot in the next
few weeks.
Driving 2N27 we noticed a lot of damage from vehicles
both turning on the road & tearing up the banks & verges;
projects to drag logs & block/protect these areas!
Reaching Moonridge we passed the patrol back to Jim
to call the group out of service. Many thanks to Jim for mentoring us & keeping us from going astray & many thanks to
Greg for keeping Jim from going astray.
Martin & Bonnie
Grumps-in-Training
Total Mileage
Hours
Future projects:
3N03 (North end)
50
8
Erase graffiti, Trash removal, block
spurs
3N03A (South end)
Clean up shooting stands, remove
camper shell, block spurs
2N48Y
Monitor woodcutting
2N27
Monitor woodcutting, move logs
to block turnouts & damaged banks
Page 6
January 7 Gold Mountain Patrol
January 7, 2006
By Adelaide D’Ippolito
Snow on the trail to Gold Mountain
Rex (Grump #2) turning that nice white snow into mud
Attendees: Rex, Jim, Steve, Addie(x2), Chris, George
group of 3 men that had the required permit for tree removal.
We left the Ranger Station at 9:30 and it was already
a beautiful sunny day. We hit the trail and almost immediately had to remove a small fallen tree out of harm's
way. We took that as a sign of what the day would be
like, but fortunately we were mistaken. Other than removing some debris (sidewall-slashers), the trail was
great. This was a snow run, but nothing we couldn't
handle. The only maintenance 3N69 needs are to re-post
the signs for the rock quarry, 3N69A, at each end.
After lunch, Grump 2 (?) Jim led us on a Mr. Toad's
Wild Ride that was sheer ice with a drop off on one side.
How Chris, who is not locked up, made it down was
amazing and very scary to watch. Grump 1 Rex had to
strap him back up. After that, we wouldn't let Jim lead
anymore.
We made it back to pavement 3’ish and went to the
Discovery Center to view the OHV photos. The display
Recreation requested that we check the Tanglewood is very nice and you should stop by if you get the
Campground for logging activity. We came across a chance. A great way to end a great day.
A Beautiful view of the lake
Grump #1 negotiating the Rock Quarry
Page 7
Inaugural On the Right Trail, A HUGE Success!
Over the past two weekends (January 28th and
February 4 , 2006) training was held for the San Bernardino
National Forest Association’s new program: On The Right
Trail. This program – developed in conjunction with the
National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council and
Tread Lightly! – is a school-based curriculum that teaches
land ethics, stewardship, safety and responsible recreation to
grades 3-7. The program uses trail recreation (including
OHV, horseback, hiking, etc.) as a means to teach environmental awareness, ecological balance, social science and
other required California state education standards.
th
By Ben vonDielingen
use these teaching methods. In preparation for the second
day of training, all volunteers were asked to review the curriculum, and be prepared to present one of the lessons to the
group. After a thorough presentation of minimizing impacts
to habitat by USFS Botanist Chelsea Vollmer, participants
broke into groups, with each group assigned a chapter to
teach. Teaching of the materials and feedback on each of
the presentations consumed the rest of the day, and participants were left with a clear understanding of what would be
expected of them.
Those who volunteered to be instructors for the
On The Right Trail (OTRT) program came from a myriad of
backgrounds and interests. Some participants are current
members in the SBNFA OHV Volunteer Patrol program,
some were retired law enforcement officers, while others
still were avid hikers with an interest in volunteer opportunities in their own backyard. All were bonded, however, by
one common theme: they all recognized the need to teach
children the importance of our natural resources and instill
in them a sense of respect for the land and other users.
(Chelsea Vollmer lectures on threatened and endangered species in the SBNF: courtesy of KBHR 93.3FM)
If you were unable to attend these dates, but are
interested in the On The Right Trial program or in other volunteer work relating to OHV Education Outreach, please
contact Ben vonDielingen at (909) 382-2372 or [email protected]. Subsequent trainings will be held over the
next few months, and all those concerned about the future of
outdoor recreation are encouraged to attend.
Ben vonDielingen teaches Tread Lightly! principles:
Photo courtesy of KBHR 93.3FM)
The training began on January 28 with a history of
the SBNFA, and the emergence of the OHV Educational
Outreach program. Participants were then briefed on what it
means to be an OTRT instructor, program policy, and asked
to adhere to the mission of the program. After lunch, participants went through a series of hands-on exercises and
lessons to certify them all as Tread Lightly! Tread Trainers.
The final event of the day was a workshop on teaching
methods taught by SBNFA Children’s Forest Lead Naturalist, Charlotte Melson.
On February 4th, the participants got a chance to
Page 8
Subject: Grump Patrol Report
1/12/2006
By Jim Hoeltgen
Spring (radioactive - no signs) and then up. There was a lot
of evidence of wildlife using the spring and it's neighboring
creek which had a sulfur odor and a red slime (sulfur bacteria). Hoof tracks suggested burros but we did not see any.
We headed up the road to the Y where the Toyota 4x4 had
been and then turned back when none of us could climb the
hill. While airing up I mentioned to Bill, who had left his ford
Ranger 4x4 at the Ranger Station that we probably would not
make it back in time and they probably would have the gate
locked since the Rangers left at 4. Rex offered to drive him
From there just a short 1/2 mile or so to Sand Canyon home. Ted just grinned. Sorry Greg - the devil made me do
2N27, which was quiet. 2N77 had no tracks so we did not it. Upon returning to the RS Bill was happy to see his truck
disturb. Yep I didn't cause any problems for Greg - no one again and vowed to get even (ahead).
was there - no fresh tracks on the spurs - couldn't cause and
We had a good day, good food, beautiful views, peace
trouble - left my camera at home too.
Gracie gave flying demos over the lake and
So we headed for the snow on 2N48Y and got no further than and quiet.
George was not to be seen. Bill wants to go again.
we had on Sunday (we did not chain up).
Jim Hoeltgen OHV 83V KI6BNQ
Still having lot's of daylight we traveled the short dis- "Grumpy Old Men" Grump 1
tance down 38 to May Van Canyon. Rd., 2N22Y to visit May 1990 YJ "Extraordinaire"
Bill Howard, Rex, Ted Kalil and I met at the Big Bear
Ranger Station shortly after 8 AM and soon headed out for
2N10 to evaluate it 's condition for possible winter closure.
Bill being one of our newest host candidates rode along with
me and later with Ted. There were plenty of tracks on 2N10
and the going was easy. The road to the Lodge Pole Pine and
it's two yellow posts also had fresh tracks so we checked it
out too. Back to 2N10 where we stopped for hot chili, hamburgers and polish sausage (Rex's luncheon menu).
Grump Controller Patrol Report
1/14/06
It's a funny thing, but it never ceases to amaze me
how the job of documenting these runs I attend appears
to be delegated to the most junior member of the team.
Such as happened with the Grump Controller patrol this
last Saturday!
I awoke, on a beautiful Saturday Morning, to the
sounds of Bonnie preparing for the patrol and singing to
the dogs "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it
Snowwwww......". With a forecast of 8" of snow & a the
prospect patrol with the Greg & the Grumps, we had decided last night to forego a weekend of working on the
house & go out patrolling instead... I don't think that this
will ever grow old....
Jeep readied, emergency equipment, extra clothes
(on top of the extra that we always carry... After all the
biggest storm of the season was forecast!), Food, Hot
Dogs (with buns!), tools, camera(s) in fact anything that
would fit in the jeep went in (memo to self, remove back
seat). we set out for BBRS. An uneventful journey we
chatted between each other about what may happen today, when the storm would arrive & how ominous those
clouds looked as they rolled over the rim of the surrounding hills.
Arriving at BBRS we found Jim, Rex & John Boone
in the office sheltering from the cold; Greg had just
rolled up in his Jeep (first day back from it's 2 month
overhaul.... He had to promise the Fleet Manager that he
would take care of it & never take it anywhere it may
By Martin Canty
get damaged, dented or even scratched.....) After brief
greetings Greg gave us our TailGate/Safety briefing...
CH12, Patrol 3N03 & 2N02, check the conditions of a
pickup truck which had gone over the edge of 2N02 last
summer, & head out to the Rattlesnake canyon area to
check out a mine that the Grumps had found last year....
(Oh and no, nobody will be going over the edge, will
they?).
Setting out the patrol settled into an easy lighthearted banter over the radio (setting the tone for the
whole patrol)... Well, by banter it consisted of giving
Jim a hard time about everything (including the color of
his Jeep!), John was riding with Greg
3N03 reached, we took a quick stop at Cactus Flats
staging area; Greg checks for dumping while Bonnie & I
checked the conditions of the restrooms.... A clean bill
of health in both areas...
Heading south on 3N03 we were dispatched to
check on various spurs...Amazingly all of the spurs were
clean! Not much follow-up in these areas. The highlight
was when we 'found' a mine shaft, well traveled, a little
trash but generally OK.... We also found some quail
hunters...
The group reformed & we set out to examine the
pickup truck that had gone over the edge of 2N02....
Parking the cars we went (on foot) to the truck, Jim &
Rex declined our offer to join them. When we found the
truck we checked the condition; it had been stripped of
Page 9
(Continued from page 8)
everything of value but the battery was still intact (no
leaks or cracks) & no oil leaking. We called Jim to drive
up to 2N02 to take a look at the chute while Greg
climbed up the side of the gulley to inspect a Buick that
had also gone over the edge. We got a call from Jim, our
first excitement of the day, there was a fallen tree partially blocking the road; this was quickly dispatched by
Jim (remember Greg climbing up the side? Fortunately
Jim didn't roll it down the gulley & Greg remained unscathed!). We also had our second contact, a party of 2
Jeeps with nice people inside.
All parties save, we rejoined & headed out east on
2N02, Greg & I checking the trails on the south side of
the valley, Jim & Rex checking the trails on the north....
All clean, had the trash pixies been through in the night
& cleaned the trails up? At the mine we spotted our party
of nice people so I volunteered to talk to them & give
them a map.... YeeHaa, my first public contact.... After a
few minutes of chatting they were presented with a map
for which they were very appreciative, particularly comparing it to the map they had been using!!!!
Heading east along 2N02, Greg reminded me than
when giving directions perhaps left, right, onwards &
backwards might not cut it anymore...... By chance, we
came across 2N71Y, Greg knew of a great place to have
lunch down there (underneath the Hanging Tree) so, of
course, we had to take his newly refurbished jeep down
this Black Diamond.....
I hate to say that lunch is the highlight of the day,
but our patrols tend to have more of a feel of a banquet
than a quick bite to eat.... Stoves out, dogs & soup on,
not to mention the munchies while the food was cooking. During lunch Greg casually mentioned his award for
the fantastic job he is doing with the OHV & AAT programs & how the program is such a success that it's expanding in scope & in the personnel USFS needs to devote to the program (to keep the Grumps in line?).
Alas, lunch over, we hit the trail again, but not without finding time to play on a couple of rocks, testing our
balance on 2 wheels etc!!!! Near the end of 2N71Y we
found a tree blocking the road.... Jim to the rescue; towing the tree up & out of the way... The only casualty of
the event was an unfortunate Manzanita that Jim accidentally drove over..... (Remember, Jim, we should be
paragons of virtue & not drive off the trail)
Back onto 2N02 (it was such a shame to leave
2N71Y, it's a fun road with no actual dangerous spots,
just places to push a vehicle a little bit).
I think that at this point the patrol turned into a trip
down memory lane for Jim...... Or if the truth be known,
Jims memory failed him as re searched for his lost mine
(on the north side of TipTop near Rattlesnake Canyon),
while we retraced Jims steps we did have the opportunity
to leave Jim scouting ahead while the rest of us checked
out an old mining hut (Trash, debris & rat poop up to the
windows.... Ewwww). Jim, convinced that he had found
them mine, summoned us & we headed on..... While Jim
& Rex took the lead Bonnie, John, Greg & myself took a
more leisurely drive...... Near the end of the road we had
to traverse a stream with particularly steam banks......
Needless to say that 3 of the vehicles made it, but a 4th
didn't. Now, because of Homeland Security reasons I
cannot report on who it was got stuck but fortunately
Rex was able to drive back & pull the stuck vehicle out
while Bonnie & I took photos & Jim searched for his
mine.......
Finally we found the mine, pausing long enough to
take photos, we turned & headed back (east) toward Rattlesnake Canyon.... With the afternoon getting late & a
massive winter storm forecast to hit in the mid-afternoon
we headed due north, up Rattlesnake canyon to Johnson
Valley. For those who have not visited this canyon, it
exhibits some wonderful examples of the affects of Flash
Flooding, ranging from debris build-up; poorly sorted
sedimentation & alluvial deposits..... The possibility of
imminent death notwithstanding, we had fun.... There
were plenty of tricky rocks to negotiate; at one point
Greg's forward motion was impeded... a couple of well
placed rocks allowed him to continue, Jim ignored the
well placed rocks (first try) then decided that discretion
was the better part of valor.... And Bonnies drivers side
running board tried to pit it's wits against a rather obstinate boulder (and lost). Conversation was varied, ranging from the affect of mechanical erosion to what are the
factors affecting the speed of a flash-flood.....
Finally emerging at the 247 we aired up & set off for
home.... Now it's such a drag having to drive back up the
hill to Big Bear, but someone has to do it!
As a final note, I will gladly testify to Greg's Fleet
Manager that at no point in the day did the sides or top
of his Jeep come in contact with anything harder than
brush.
Martin & Bonnie
Grumps-in-training
[email protected]
Page 10
3W13 Trail Maintenance by Orange County Dualies
January 21. 2006
The 3W13 Trail disappeared in 9 places under fallen trees
Several weeks ago our Club president, Dave Harlan, received an
email from a club member reporting that there were a number of
fallen trees across his adopted
trail, and even containing a picture
of such a tree and the bypass trail
that had been cut around it. He
forwarded the email to me, and
that was all that was needed to
goad the Dualies into action.
Some seven club members
showed up at the North Shore
Work Center at 8 AM Saturday
morning, ready to address this
problems and prevent further
damage. After a bit of a scramble
to get access to one of the quads
By Ron Sobchik OHV3V
Several trees had fallen together to block this part of trail
(green Rig blocking the way) and
the chain saws and hand tools
(combination had two numbers
transposed), we had our obligatory
tailgate safety briefing and were on
our way to clear the trail. We soon
discovered that reports of fallen
trees blocking the trail were not
exaggerated, with one particular
east facing slope have nine separate
tree falls blocking the trail, requiring us to cut up and remove some
20 fallen trees to make it passable
again.
Thanks again to Dave
Harlan, Mike Green, Tim Bielski,
Mike Hagen, Brian Sampson, and
Larry Barnett for their time and
effort to keep out trail passable.
Rolling a fallen tree into a washout
Trees removed from train and used to block bypasses
Our group poses in front of a widow maker
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Page 11
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Page 12
Mill Creek Patrol
1/15/2006
In attendance:
Norm & Stacey Harrold and
Don Wintz
We got a late start from
the Mill Creek station, but
that’s not unusual anymore.
After receiving a current conditions report from Alfredo
and Larry, we loaded up a
chain saw and safety gear and
headed out on our patrol.
Our intentions were to
run 1N12 through Thomas
Hunting Grounds, then take
Middle Control Road to
1N09 to 1N64 through Clarks
Ranch and then run up
Clarks Grade to the trouble
A frosted tree along 1N54
spot to check on the trail
conditions there. That was to be our turn around spot and we
would come back down and run out 1N04. For the most part
we did stick to that itinerary.
On 1N12, right in the middle of the burn area, we were
passed by 7 motorcycles. As they sped past, we were unable to
notify them that the area they were in was closed. We did
manage to turn around a couple of guys in a 4x4 on the other
side of the burn area before they entered the closed portion of
the trail. Locked gates on this trail can’t come soon enough.
While on 1N12, directly across from Angeles Oaks, we spotted what looked like a fire making a run up a slope just west of
Angeles Oaks and north of Hwy 38. We called in a smoke and
fire report to dispatch and were then informed that it was a
slash burn. It was good practice for the real thing. 1N12 is in
good shape with no new damage from Saturday’s storm.
Middle Control Road was also open and clear of obstacles
on both the trip in this morning and the trip out in the afternoon. By the time we hit the 1N09 trailhead it was just after
noon. We decided to skip running 1N09 to 1N64 and headed
straight for Clark’s Grade. Not too far up the trail is a vista
point that makes a great place to stop for lunch. The view of
the valley is awesome!
After lunch we continued up 1N54 and as we climbed in
altitude we were coming into bigger patches of snow on the
ground and the surrounding trees were frosted over from the
previous nights storm. We came to the area that last year
dropped a couple of very large boulders (Greg’s nemesis) and
a tree or two. To our surprise, this area was clear of debris and
obstacles. That must have been because Matt and Stacy had
cleared it all the day before! We continued along and found
that 1N54 is clear of obstacles all the way up to the gate at
2N10.
From there, we couldn’t resist. The weather was beautiful,
the snow was a pure white fresh powder crunching beneath
our tires, so through the gate we went and on across 2N10 to-
By Stacey Harrold
wards the Radford Truck
Trail, 1N06. It is such a wonderful experience to be driving in virgin snow and the
only tracks in front of you
were made by the forest critters.
2N10 from 1N54 to
1N06, and 1N06 to 1N04 are
clear of obstacles and the
trails are in good condition.
We took 1N04 from Converse Station across to 1N54
and headed for the highway
via Middle Control Road.
There is a damaged
1N54 trail sign at the intersection of 1N54 and 1N04. Using dead brush to make this
We lacked the equipment
illegal trail less inviting
needed to upright or repair
the sign today.
Earlier in the day we used dead brush from the area to
cover an illegal trail at the intersection of 1N12 and 1S13.
1N04, as usual, could use some brushing in some areas along
the trail. This will make a good “snow day” project this winter.
Thanks to Don for coming out to join Norm and I for
what was another great day spent in the forest.
Stacey Harrold
OHV48V
Angeles Oaks slash burn. Tell me that doesn’t look like a fire making a run up the slope!