Help preserve the trails above Hurkey Creek (Idyllwild)

[simonmtb]

After the complete destruction (and eventual re-build) of the trails in Alvin Meadow due to fuel reduction work, it is now May Valley's turn.
While the work by the forest service is necessary, this meeting and field trip may help preserve at least some of the great trails that so many of us have enjoyed. This meeting could also ensure the future existence and status of these trails Please RSVP here: haroldcarey@fs.fed.us
and at the STR or Facebook link if you would like to attend and have your input heard.
I'm sure other interest groups will be in attendance too to put their arguments for and against the trail system.
STR link: http://www.socaltrailriders.org/foru...&day=2010-3-13
Facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?ei...2611176&ref=mf

If you can't make the meeting but are interested in following this, then just send a mail to Harold Carey. It probably would not hurt if you mention that you are a mountainbiker who is interested in the fate and future of the trail syatem.


Here is the content of the facebook page:

The US Forest Service is hosting a one-day field trip and planning session for the May Valley Fuels Reduction Project proposal on Saturday, March 13th.

This is one of our most popular and largest mountain bike trail systems in the area. The user-made trail system has been under consideration for addition to the USFS inventory for several years now. It is very important that the USFS understand the importance of the area to mountain bikers as they develop their plans for the Fuels Reduction Project in the area.

The field trip is from 9am to noon.
The meeting is from 1pm to 5pm.
RSVP to
Harold Carey by March 10 haroldcarey@fs.fed.us 909.382.2946

According to the letter sent out- "The purpose of early collaboration among interested persons is to increase public awareness and participation, establish priorities, and cooperate in the planning activities to reduce the risks to communities and surrounding lands."




Thanks in advance for any support.
Simon

[jamisjake]

Thanks Simon, I'll be there!

[simonmtb]

Cool, jake. I hope a few more people can find time and come too. I'm thimking of trying to get a ride in after the meeting too, so get ya lights out.

[denmother]

I put in on the calendar: http://www.socaltrailriders.org/foru...&day=2010-3-13

[tradersancho]

Can you help some of us trail maintenance newbs out? What exactly is a Fuels Reduction Project and how does it result in demolishing trails?

[simonmtb]

The forestry service thins out a lot of trees and brush in an area to create a defensible buffer zone around (in this case Idyllwild) a town.
Heavy equipment is used that really tears the soil up and makes rebuilding a real problem, as the soil is often pulverized to a depth of 6" or more
The question is, where will this buffer zone be and can the people who do the work (outside and often out of state contractors) minimize trail impact? If we are lucky and get enough support at the meeting, then it will not disrupt the trail system but there are groups who would like to see the trails removed before they get full sanctioned status. I am sure they will be represented at the meeting.
In the case of Alvin Meadow, some of the trails were repeatedly destroyed in what seemed like purposeful destruction. The trail would be rebuilt and be destroyed again the week after. This cycle continued for about 1 year and deprived many hikers, trail runners and cyclists of great recreational opportunities.
In some cases, it seemed that the contractors drove off of fire roads just to destroy trail features. There were also rumors that mountain bikers had tampered with the contractors equipment and that caused the contractors to wantonly destroy trails. These rumors were later denied. It also ended with a lot of negative feelings towards a project that actually helps the town.
All this could be avoided by us lobbying for the preservation of as many trails as possible and showing that this trail system is a valuable asset to both the mountain biking community and the town itself.
It is possible to create this buffer zone and preserve the trail system, but only if enough people stand up and say "we want these trails to be considered as an asset that should be preserved and taken into consideration when doing this work"
This trail system also includes much of the course for The Idyllwild Spring Challenge mountain bike race and is ridden and enjoyed by many people on this site.
Hope this explanation helps, otherwise let me know how I can better clarify this.

Can you help some of us trail maintenance newbs out? What exactly is a Fuels Reduction Project and how does it result in demolishing trails?

..

[dstepper]

Can you help some of us trail maintenance newbs out? What exactly is a Fuels Reduction Project and how does it result in demolishing trails?

If you used to ride Alvin Meadows before and after the last round of fire reduction you would know. They where very heavy handed and looked more like a clear cut logging operation than a selective fuel reduction program. I checked out the equipment they where using and the dozers did not have brush rakes on them they where clearing brush with a dirt pushing blade. That rips down in the top soil instead of pulling the brush out by the roots leaving the soil in better shape.

Dean

[simonmtb]

If you used to ride Alvin Meadows before and after the last round of fire reduction you would know. They where very heavy handed and looked more like a clear cut logging operation than a selective fuel reduction program. I checked out the equipment they where using and the dozers did not have brush rakes on them they where clearing brush with a dirt pushing blade. That rips down in the top soil instead of pulling the brush out by the roots leaving the soil in better shape.

Dean

Thanks Dean. I agree.
Here are a couple of pictures of what was buff singletrack running through groves of oak, pine and manzanita. The pics are from Alvin Meadow's Cable Rock and Rattlesnake trails and were taken last summer. Most of the trees in the background went too. Without support, the trails above Hurkey Creek may end up like this. While the trails themselves have been rebuilt, it just aint the same.


.

[mpmffitz]

Simon not to minimize this purposeful gathering, but it would not hurt if we showed up intent on saving Idyllwild dressed up as oompalopas wearing red.

[simonmtb]

Simon not to minimize this purposeful gathering, but it would not hurt if we showed up intent on saving Idyllwild dressed up as oompalopas wearing red.

Long time, no see, Mike.
You do that, I'll take the official pictures

[rojomas]

.

Damn, that sucks. I rode there a couple of years ago. Alvin Meadows was pretty nice place to ride. There used to be a big teeter totter stunt on Rattlesnake that was lots of fun. Seems to me that the fuel reduction program that has been done would do more harm than good. Just like when a fire that burns all the plants, there is nothing to hold the soil together.

[simonmtb]

Damn, that sucks. I rode there a couple of years ago. Alvin Meadows was pretty nice place to ride. There used to be a big teeter totter stunt on Rattlesnake that was lots of fun. Seems to me that the fuel reduction program that has been done would do more harm than good. Just like when a fire that burns all the plants, there is nothing to hold the soil together.

The teeter totter is still there but in pretty bad shape and the run in trail is pretty much gone. The rest of rattlesnake has been rebuilt but it somehow seems wrong riding a twisty trail that twists round nothing.
You are right, there is very little holding the soil together, (though it drains fairly well), just woodchips that are supposed to prevent evaporation.
I just hope the same is not done over May Valley.

[denmother]

I just sent my RSVP!!!

P.S. Don't forget to RSVP on the calendar also!!!

[simonmtb]

I just recieved this from Brendanc:

I got word from the USFS Harold Carey person that people can be added to the USFS emailing list for concerned citizens re: May Valley Fuels Reduction. All they have to do is email him at haroldcarey@fs.fed.us
and they'll be added.

So if you can't make the meeting but are interested in following this, then just send a mail to Harold Carey. It probably would not hurt if you mention that you are a mountainbiker who is interested in the fate and future of the trail syatem.
Thanks again.
Simon

Denmo, many thanks to you too.

[jamisjake]

Simon, I was just up there on Tuesday(I knew you were working so I didnt bother calling), and dude, Missing Link area REALLY needs some work as does the 24hr course. Lets do some maintenance soon!

[simonmtb]

Cheers Jake, I think we should. Work got cancelled late Monday, so I could have made it, but I rode anyway.

Update info. while I am at it. Here is the area of proposed fuel reduction. It includes just about every trail above may valley Fireroad, so a great big double : I hope a few more people make it and a lot sign up for the mailing list, as this could spell the end of such greats as The Three Hombres, Snakeskin, The Cahuia Cut Off, Woodpile, Mirkwood, Buena Vista and more. No more Southridge to Hurkey runs

[simonmtb]

Here is the meeting place for the field trip:

Idyllwild Fire Department is 54160 Maranatha Drive, Idyllwild

meeting time is 9.00am

[denmother]

Wow, I can't believe there aren't more people attending!!! So far, just 4 of us. :-(

[idyllwild92549]

if u go on the field trip watch out for TSED'S
Trail Side E Devices!
coulda swore i saw the MHTI'S out dar????
Mile High Trail Insurgents!
usta b called the Mile High Trail Pimps..... heard they built some KICK ASS trails out dar, guess now they wanna PROTECT EM?

it was early in the morning and foggy and a bit dark, so who knows what i saw?
just know i saw the trails unlike the photos posted! really really really please come, e-mail, call, text, ask friends family aunt's uncle's x wives etc....... if this was your town, they are OUR trails i would come!

[dirtvert]

anybody up for carpooling from orange county?

it's not over till we say it is...