- Location
- Aransas Pass, Texas
I, and many others spent the day on the trail at Cedro Peak- Sandia Ranger District, Cibola National Forest. The weather was absolutely perfect, low 60's, mostly sunny (that will change by Wed.).
This "building bridges" run (no, we did not build any actual bridges) was organized by Jeff from www.envy4x4.com . The turn-out was better than expected, and included Barbie Jeeps, a Ford Explorer, a Land Rover, a Toyota or two, a Commander, and two XJ's.
This trail is not really difficult, nor technical, but is an enjoyable route. You can expect to see mountain bikers, an occasional motorcycle, hikers, and even horses. We encountered all of the above today, and everybody was quite respectful or each other. We shared the land the way it was meant to be shared. A great feeling.
At our lunch stop, the Ranger filled us in on projects in the district. The included forest fuels management, controlled burns, changes in the area (related to 4x4 trails), etc...
The area used to be "open unless marked closed", but is now "closed unless marked open". Barricades have been put up on off-shoot trails, some of them have been destroyed, others have been respected. We traveled the authorized trail, and the USFS took GPS coordinates or problem areas (unauthorized trails, illegal wood cutting, etc..).
The route we traveled today is THE route for the trail. Signage, barricades, etc... will be used to help people stay on the trail. They are in the "education" phase right now, hoping to let people know where they can and cannot go. IIRC, the "enforcement" period will begin in May of 2011. That is when tickets will be written for going where you are not supposed to be.
It was a good day, all-in-all. We got some face time with the district Ranger and staff. They got to go on the entire trail and see it first hand. They also got to wheel with a responsible group of wheelers. IMHO, and from talking 1 on 1 with the Ranger, it was a positive experience.
And now a few pics:
This "building bridges" run (no, we did not build any actual bridges) was organized by Jeff from www.envy4x4.com . The turn-out was better than expected, and included Barbie Jeeps, a Ford Explorer, a Land Rover, a Toyota or two, a Commander, and two XJ's.
This trail is not really difficult, nor technical, but is an enjoyable route. You can expect to see mountain bikers, an occasional motorcycle, hikers, and even horses. We encountered all of the above today, and everybody was quite respectful or each other. We shared the land the way it was meant to be shared. A great feeling.
At our lunch stop, the Ranger filled us in on projects in the district. The included forest fuels management, controlled burns, changes in the area (related to 4x4 trails), etc...
The area used to be "open unless marked closed", but is now "closed unless marked open". Barricades have been put up on off-shoot trails, some of them have been destroyed, others have been respected. We traveled the authorized trail, and the USFS took GPS coordinates or problem areas (unauthorized trails, illegal wood cutting, etc..).
The route we traveled today is THE route for the trail. Signage, barricades, etc... will be used to help people stay on the trail. They are in the "education" phase right now, hoping to let people know where they can and cannot go. IIRC, the "enforcement" period will begin in May of 2011. That is when tickets will be written for going where you are not supposed to be.
It was a good day, all-in-all. We got some face time with the district Ranger and staff. They got to go on the entire trail and see it first hand. They also got to wheel with a responsible group of wheelers. IMHO, and from talking 1 on 1 with the Ranger, it was a positive experience.
And now a few pics:
people can contact their rangers and get involved, if they are not already doing so.
Looks like you guys had a good group of all breeds out there, Wish i was wheeling right now rather than sitting at work on a Sunday!
