**Postponed to 2012** 24 HOA - Hurkey Creek 9/10/11 - merged

What I'm wondering if by asking for a race permit that it opened the door to impact studies which in turn might be the cause of all this mess, nothing against the race but its like having a building inspector over inspecting a roof and he notices a bunch of other things not to code and tells you to fix them.
Ranger Ryan is off till Friday so I hope that Andy Smith gets back to Brendon soon, a least as of now trails are open.

 

Hey guys,
I just got a call back from the USFS trails guy. I primarily asked him about the day-in, day-out access to the trails; I can't speak to anything going on with the 24 Hour race. Here's the word from the USFS:

-There is a hydrology concern; regarding sediment being introduced into Hurkey Creek by way of Coyote Run & the Hurkey Climb (aka 20 minute hill)
-There are no immediate trail closures that affect us regular riders & weekend visitors. None scheduled yet, either...
-He told me that IF & WHEN there is a trail closure, it is not their intention to leave them closed permanently. He told me they are aware of the the recreational & economic impact these trail closures could make... He also told me they are aware of the potential volunteer assets they have from the trail users community (like us mountain bikers, for example) and the usefulness that volunteers can provide to help mitigate the sediment problem.
-Lastly, he told me they will give the trail users community as much advance notice as possible; that we'll be in the loop before it happens.

Brendan

 

Awesome Brendan
Thanks for putting this one to bed:bang::bang::bang:

 

Have you done any trail work on the trails at Hurkey????
They have. Every year they show up. Including the big rain year that completely ruined the trail. They were out there for Two weeks rebuilding it and even put the 2 bridges that are still there today.
Think before you speak.

 

Sorry that was ment for Pain Freak
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This is an event we can afford to lose. HOA does very little for their customers and shouldn't be in business any ways.
If you never confront climbs, you're missing the essence of the sport.

 

:-s

 

The county ranger at Hurkey would probably be one of the last people to know of a closure...even if its in one of his parks, county rangers r not usually included in any decisions made by the 'bigger' agencies. We're very very small fish in a great big pond...a giant enormous pond....

 

How about running the race in reverse of the suggested alternative course? Start off with the road riding up past Apple Canyon and then descend through the meadow and Keen Summit. It's really a fun. flowing way down and the uphill section would offer plenty of opportunities for safe passing. I think some might like the route better than the traditional 24 hour course and the race could go on. Riding up Keen Summit and across the meadow and then descending on the roads would not be a lot of fun.

 

Sorry if this has been answered, but is there a race this year?

 

The following was received this evening.

Hi Stuart:
District Ranger, Laurie Rosenthal, is on leave this week, so I am taking the liberty to respond to your recent email. I believe Andy Smith has been keeping Kevin updated on the recent NEPA process, public scoping, NEPA decision, and required mitigation measures in regards to the May Valley Bike Event Permit E.A. for the Spring Challenge event in the May Valley area. Additionally, I believe he has kept Kevin up to date with the changing conditions in that area and the Santa Anna Water Board’s direction to us regarding water quality issues in Hurkey Creek.
After a review of the erosional issues affecting Hurkey Creek by the Water Board, the U. S. Forest Service agreed to move forward on closing the locally named trails of Coyote Run and Hurkey Creek Climb to all public use. We are in the process of developing a Forest Order to do this. Additionally, the Water Board threatened to cite the U. S. Forest Service if measures were not immediately taken to begin to resolve the issue of large amounts of sediment being deposited into Hurkey Creek from these trails (old road beds). The U. S. Forest Service is taking this resource issue seriously. The first step we are implementing is a closure. We are also beginning to pursue funding to appropriately address the erosional issue. Obtaining the necessary funding for this may be challenging, but we are committed to resolving the resource issue.
All this being said, I am confident the the Ranger will not authorize a Special Use Permit for the above mentioned trails as a closure order for them is being developed.
Andy Smith and Kevin McDonald have been in communication concerning other trails that may be permitted under the above mentioned NEPA decision. Anything outside of what is included in that document would take another NEPA process to be considered.
John Ladley
Recreation Officer
San Jacinto Ranger District
San Bernardino National Forest

 

What BS.

What % of the erosion could possibly be coming from the bike trails, vs the many times more square feet of semi-developed land and/or the super heavy rain season.

 

I would like to know what method of study was used to identify these two trails as the culprit of the erosion into hurkey creek? Is the erosion directly attributed to daily use of hiking and biking or is it because we had lots of rain this past year and would have happened anyways. How much of the sediment actually made it to Lake Hemet?

This whole thing really stinks...

 

People just do not realize what reach these agencies are gaining each year. The Regional Water Quality Board WOULD truly like to keep all of us away from any blue line (dry stream or not). I deal with these people at work all the time and the rules are hilarious. You cannot let potable water go into a creek???????? Wht happens when it rains and runoff hits the creek. I will stop now before I get going like an anarchist madman!

 

Please note that these trails have been closed due to the Water Board mandating them closed to the USFS. Already "Missing Link" was closed prior to the Idyllwild Spring Challenge. We have spent 13 years working to support the 24 Hours of Adrenalin course with supplies and manpower. This is not a mountain biking problem it's a Water Board problem.

 

Hey Hurkey Creek Rider... we all know this is not the situation (actually the out of state is correct). Remember it's 24 Hours of Adrenalin who since 1998 has started with 58 teams and worked towards providing a great weekend for all involved. That's not to say that we haven't had our share of problems, especially being sued by ' MTB Hall of Fame' Laird Knight of Granny Gear over the rules to the sport. We are prepared to place resources to assist with the NEPA study that the government can't afford to do. Collectively we need to look at the big picture. Please be part of the solution! Many facts can been reviewed at http://www.24hoursofadrenalin.com/hurkeycreek/news-and-media/

 

Thanks for posting... yes there is a lot of information being discovered. Not all is what it appears. Additional information can be found at http://www.24hoursofadrenalin.com/hurkeycreek/news-and-media/ or ever changing on this situation.

 

Might we suggest that we keep comments on the following thread.

http://www.socaltrailriders.org/for...our-immediate-feedback-course-re-route-2.html

 

It sounds like a 26" tire problem. They spin out, cause erosion, too fast of rotation, and generaly not good for public safety.
or
maybe it was just the 30" of rain we got over the winter.
either way a 29er would be better severd.
(yes, I'm diverting the argument)

 

We have created these government agencies to protect and serve us...maybe some of those agencies have fulfilled their missions. Now it seems like they need to find or invent problems to justify the agencies existence. We have come a long ways in cleaning up our air and water since the 70's maybe we need to divert tax payers money to other needs like maybe creating jobs for all these kids coming out of college and get the USA employed again.

Dean

 

So they just announced the race is canceled for this year. Time to start plans to cut a bypass trail around the area in question, I have spent the last 28 years protecting these hills time to pull some resources together and cut some brush, but we will do it right and with permission.