RR: Warriors Society Patrol - STT/Luge

[KeepsWhatHappens]

A while back the USFS asked the Warriors Society to begin patrols into the closed areas of the forest (due to the fire) and to report back on conditions and to tell any potential closure violators that the forest was closed. Not just any Warriors could go though, only five patrol leaders from all the Warriors members were selected based on their experience and amount of volunteer hours they had already dedicated to the forest. I was lucky enough to be one of them.

What follows is one of our reports from a few months ago. Mind you we can't just willy-nilly take off into the closed areas of the forest. We have to call in our access with the USFS dispatch center and must have registered volunteers number plates. Only Warriors (or others) that have registered as official volunteered could legally enter the closed areas. No Warrior can go on patrol alone. There has to be at least two to make a patrol and each patrol has to have one of the five designated patrol leaders on the patrols with them at all times.

Important stuff:

- the trails took HUGE amounts of damage in the fire fighting efforts and subsequent rainstorms, including the last torrential rain storm we experienced in May. Honestly many parts of the STT and all of the Luge are not alot of fun to ride right now.

- the STT and Luge are still closed and you are subject to a $5000 fine if caught.

- The Warriors Society and the USFS do patrol these areas. Although the WS has no ability to hand out tickets the USFS certainly does and takes the closure VERY seriously.

Despite the obvious destruction by the fire it is amazing to see the forest making a recovery so early on. From afar everything looks dead. But a closer look reveals that almost every charred plant and tree has little bits of greenery evident at the base of it and it is obvious the forest will recover some day. That day will be a glorious day indeed!!!

OK now onto the photos:


My number plate.


Bikes at the ready.


Gene at the Modjeska gate.




Gene turning around some locals out to ride the closed trail.


Chip checking out some mountain lion tracks...a good sign.


My tire rolling over some hydromulch near Vulture Crags.


Gene checking the trail register atop the Luge.


Me, Chip aka Chipster and Gene.


Along STT.


STT near Modjeska Grade Road.


Yuccas seem to be recovering quickest.


Patrol heading up.


Evidence of bulldozers along STT.


Gene surveys Harding Truck Trail from STT.


Amazing greenery before the Wall on STT.


Gene and Chip survey the destruction.


The patrol on STT.


Despite the destruction, we are blessed to be able to enjoy the mountains.


Evidence of hydromulching above Vulture Crags.


The flagpole and the Luge on the right.


On the way to the flagpole.


Heading down the Luge. What we found was a rocky, rutted mess that honestly was not enjoyable to ride. It's going to take ALOT of work to fix this trail.


View from the Luge looking back up at the flagpole.


Part of the Luge. Note vertical rut in center of trail.


Chip on the lower Luge.


Primordial beauty on the lower Luge.


Before the bridge on the lower Luge. Note major rut in trail. Bridge crossing is gone now.


Extreme erosion damage in trail beyond old bridge.


Mountain lion track next to deer track.

[Blue Rat]

Wow, it's great to see the forest returning. A lot of the areas I ride on Camp Pendleton were effected by the fires as well. It's just amazing how quickly they've started to regenerate. Mother Nature is just awesome.

[Elisheva]

Very cool pictures John. A bit sad to see how the fire devoured such a prime area. Waiting very patiently for this area to open up again. Although each time I pass by Cooks I see unknown riders going up Modjeska Grade or coming down Live Oak

[Permagrin]

Thanks for posting this; WS is doing an awesome job of helping out the USFS and I'm sure it's greatly appreciated by everyone concerned about the land. The black and white pics are beautiful, too.

[BrewMaster]

Thanks for update and report John. Great pics! Were those all from a point and shoot camera?

[allison]

nm....

[BandMan]

Thanks for the ride report and pics. It looks so desolate in some places I thought our 3 Amigos were riding on Mars.

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by allison

nm....

[TrojanInsomniac]

Thanks for sharing the pics and volunteering your time to patrol (thanks to Gene and Chip also).........you guys are great ambassadors to our wonderful sport.

[Trizz]

You have some awsome shots, great photos.

[kbteachme]

Nice pictures!

So when do you think we can ride that trail?

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10+ years?

What is your guess?

[KeepsWhatHappens]

Originally Posted by kbteachme

Nice pictures!

So when do you think we can ride that trail?

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10+ years?

What is your guess?

November 2008 - or sooner if we are lucky.

[Kish Me]

It looks less depressing than I expected... Or was that just tricky camera work?

Nice report!

[TrailJesus]

Thanks for sharing the pics. I got to see the burn areas of Whiting from the park near Oakley this last Sunday. Wish I could have ridden the trails before it all burned

[xhuskr]

thnx for the update...sad to see the destruction from one person's behavior ...but great to see parts coming back alive..........nature rules! Can't wait to ride it again....but can wait and let nature takes it's course!!