RR: Warriors Society Patrol - STT/Old Camp

[KeepsWhatHappens]

This RR is from another WS patrol a couple months ago on STT to Old Camp. On this patrol we ran across one mtb'er and informed him of the closure and also found two boneheads with a fire burning up at Old Camp on a windy 80 degree day. Needless to say we had them extinguish their fire...

Forgive the recycled text...

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!!!

Now onto the photos:


Gene calling in our patrol to USFS dispatch.


Heading up STT.


We check out the moto/OHV barriers the USFS has installed along STT.


Stunning greenery in just this one area along STT.


Lupines in bloom on the Wall section of STT.


Heading down toward the flagpole.


California Poppy on the STT with The Luge in the background.


Climbing STT east of the Luge. This rocky section was even more brutal than before the fires.


Keith heading up STT from The Luge. Lots of rocks on the trail here and in the next switchback up.


Gene (and the rest of us) walked this normally rideable switchback due to rocks and ruts.


Yuccas seem to have weathered the fire the best.


This photo shows where the water-dropping helicopters stopped the fire just west of Rose Canyon junction.


Just before the rocky section on STT, heading toward Old Camp. Grey area on left of photo is a hydro-mulched area.


Entering the rocky section of STT.


On STT.


Heading toward Old Camp.


We stopped to inform this gentleman he is riding in a closed area.


Another barrier as we approach Rose Canyon.


This used be nice singletrack known as "Cadillac." The USFS dozed it to access STT during the fires.


Farther up towards Old Camp Gene takes in the view. This riding was not fun...rocky, branches, barriers, etc.


To discourage OHV use the USFS cut the old tree tunnels and through the debris on the trail.


Gene checking out Old Camp...wait there's people down there!


And it's two teens with a fire going on a 80 degree windy day!


We encouraged them to extinguish their fire and be on their way..


...which they did.


Chip aka Chipster, Gene aka Genusmtbkr5, Keith aka kparsons and me.


Squeezing past a downed tree on the way up from Old Camp.


Sunset on a hill along STT.


Looking southwest from STT toward The Luge.

...to be continued...

[KeepsWhatHappens]

Looking south from high up on STT.


Keith heading back down toward The Luge.


Chip, Gene and Keith at the flagpole.


Signs of re-growth with The Luge in the background.


Chilling at the flagpole.


Keith heading down the wall on STT. We skipped the Luge on this patrol since it really is no fun to ride when filled with ruts and rocks.

The End

[Elisheva]

Great job patrolling for the USFS! Hard to believe those boys were up at Old Camp enjoying a fire on a 80 degree day.

The pics are making us chomp at the bit for the re-opening of trails in the Cleveland Nat'l Forest

[53-12]

A fire in 80º weather, what the h... do some people think? Considering the U.S.F.S. budget it's great that they can rely on volunteers for things like this; good work.

[Permagrin]

Idiots! What the hell are people thinking?? Oh, wait...

Is Rose Canyon open?

[2wheel_lee]

Those moto/OHV barriers are kind of funny. Apparently the builder of those thinks that there are no skilled or determined moto riders out there. I believe those are only there to stop passenger cars.

[deja vu]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Those moto/OHV barriers are kind of funny. Apparently the builder of those thinks that there are no skilled or determined moto riders out there. I believe those are only there to stop passenger cars.

I wonder if they will be removed when the trail opens, otherwise I might need to buy a wool jersey and a cyclocross bike!

[KeepsWhatHappens]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Those moto/OHV barriers are kind of funny. Apparently the builder of those thinks that there are no skilled or determined moto riders out there. I believe those are only there to stop passenger cars.

Agreed about the barriers. I guess it's kinda like locks. Locks only keep out law-abiding citizens.

[Dusty]

What an awesome report. I have lots of memories on those trails and look forward to a re opening. The damage and restoration is breathtaking.

Well done.

[OMR]

STT is actually looking a lot better these days. Mark & Suzanne Wilson and I did a patrol that went up Harding to Joplin down to STT and back to the bird sanctuary. I was surprised at how quickly the plants are starting to come back. Don't get me wrong, it still looks like fire scorched area... but better than a few months ago. It would be nice if we got a little more rain!

[Padre]

Originally Posted by KeepsWhatHappens

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.

Who presides over the experience level qualification system?

Who keeps track of volunteer hours?

Originally Posted by KeepsWhatHappens

We stopped to inform this gentleman he is riding in a closed area.

...and to ask him to put his shirt back on.

Originally Posted by KeepsWhatHappens

Keith heading down the wall on STT. We skipped the Luge on this patrol since it really is no fun to ride when filled with ruts and rocks.

Huh? Isn't that why we mountain bike? Ruts and rocks?