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1 BACKCOUNTRY HORSEMEN OF CALIFORNIA Of cial Publication of the Sequoia Unit Volume 19 Number 3 July-August 2015 Sequoia Unit s Goal and Purpose 1. To promote, through education and action, care and conservation of back country trails, campsites, streams, and meadows. 2. To foster the use of back country trails by horsemen and women in the National Parks and Forests, State Parks, BLM Lands and other public entities. 3. To keep the unit s membership informed of regulations that effect stock use on public lands, and to inform the membership of any pending regulations that might effect that. 4. To promote public awareness and interest of the historical aspects of stock use in the back country. 5. To keep public administrators aware of the works and interests of the unit. WEBSITE:

2 Inside This Issue: BCH Contact Information 2 Presidents Message/Minutes 3 USFS Press Releases 4 New Ranger in Springville 5 USFS Press Release July Ride Flyer 6 Spring Ride Pictures 7 Classi eds 8 Diary of a Packtrip 9 News Release 11 Upcoming Events 12 WILDERNESS RIDERS SEQUOIA UNIT Bonnie Searcy Emily Miles Ruthie Heuer Bradley Miles Paul Frisby Bob Hodgkins BACKCOUNTRY HORSEMAN OF CALIFORNIA SEQUOIA UNIT STATE BOARD OFFICERS President - Sandy Oates President - Richard Waller homeranch@gmail.com president@bchc-sequoia.org 1st Vice President- Lloyd Erlandson State Director - Jamie Wilson loyd.erlandson0@gmail.com nd Vice President - Stacy Kuhns statedirector@bchc-sequoia.org stacykuhns@aol.com Vice President - Gail Inman Secretary - Kaye Bruns kowgrl@charter.net vicepresident@bchc-sequoia.org Treasurer - Lynn Joiner Secretary - Joy Girado lynnjoiner@sbcglobal.net secretary@bchc-sequoia.org VP of Public Lands - Thor Bodt thunder.t@hotmail.com Treasurer - Gus Beaty CO-VP of Education - Dan Horn treasurer@bchc-sequoia.org earstrap@msn.com Denise Robinson Newsletter - Gail Inman robnden@netptc.net newsletter@bchc-sequoia.org BCHA Nat l Director - Pete Krieger pkrigerjr@yahoo.com Education - Jamie Wilson Ann Lange kvvet@onemain.com education@bchc-sequoia.org BCHA Nat l Alternate Director - Membership - Jan Walker Dan Clifford bigeasycowboy@mac.com membership@bchc-sequoia.org BCHA Past Presidents - Service - Steve Ladrigan Dennis Serpa dmserpa@cwnet.com service@bchc-sequoia.org Youth Coordinator - Jacque Murphy Public Lands - Horace Wells brennaluet@hotmail.com publiclands@bchc-sequoia.org Web Master Coordinator - BCHC State Coordinators Phil LoMonaco Accounting: Weir and Associates Annual Meeting: webcoordinator@bchc-sequoia.org Rodeo Board Reps - Steve Babish Editor: Kaye Bruns, Secretary Rhonda Strickland Insurance: Richard Waller Gail Inman Membership: Chip and Linda Herzig membership@bchcalifornia.org Webmule: Rhonda Strickland Trail Boss - Peg Wilson bchcnews@gmail.com trailboss@bchc-sequoia.org BCHC Website: bchcalifornia.org The Sequoia News is the of cial publication of the Sequoia Unit of the Backcountry Horsemen of California and is published bi-monthly. The Sequoia news is committed to print articles to inform readers of issues concernaing the Sequoia Unit and BCHC/BCHA, humorous stories, ads, cartoons, events and the minutes of the Sequoia Unit meetings. All items for the newsletter must be received by the editor no later than the 15th of each month. Your views, comments or suggestions are solicited. The Sequoia News looks forward to providing members a newsletter that will keep you informed, make you laugh and have a little history of the BACKCOUNTRY. Change of Address Please inform us of any address or phone changes. Contact: Jan Walker (Membership) Disclaimer The views or opinions expressed and articles appearing in the Sequoia News are those of the persons that submitted items for Sequoia News and may not necessarily be those of the of cers or members of Sequoia Unit, BCHC or BCHA. Page 2

3 President s Message Hi Everyone, Had a nice turn out for our annual potluck. The food was great as always. The weather was a little warm with a pretty good breeze, sprinkles and thunder in the foothills. Turned out to be a very nice evening after the clouds went away. We weren t able to do the corral work at Lewis Trail Head so the project has been postponed until this fall when the weather cools down. The week long work project for Trout Ranger Station is postponed, due to very little feed and water, from the rst week in July to the 19th 24th of September. So mark your calendars. Our Pine Flat ride is on Saturday, August 8th, be ready to ride at 10:00 am. Bring a sack lunch for a lunch break. The next board, 6:30 pm, and general meeting, 7:00 pm, will be at the Oates on July 16th. General meeting May 3,2015 Meeting call to order by president Sandy Oates Secretary report accepted as in Newsletter Tresurer s Report: Food Booth at Springville Rodeo a great success pro t $2449.Vote brought to meeting for a vote to approve additional $200 for cover for North side of cover over deep pit at rodeo grounds. This cover will help keep the wood dry. First and seconded and approved. Of cers Report: 1) Service: Not present but was said they had 60 fence post for Trout fence repair 2) Education Jamie announce to please let her know if anyone wants a presentation or a individual speaker of choice to let her know and will try to set something up. 3) Membership up to 114 as of Jan ) Rodeo booth a great success and had more attendance up on Sunday 5) Public Lands-Horace mention new regulations to Sequoia and Kings national forests regarding grazing restric tions and can get a copy of the public areas to graze out on the trails at the Forest of ce. The grass is really high behind Lake Success due to the sheep were removed early before it was grazed off.the Army Core of Engineers biologists is looking into lake property of a possible endanger plant found and possible endanger bird in the lake area. 6) Newsletter Gail keep sending pictures in 7) Webmaster not here Old Business: 1) Rodeo Recap A.Pancake breakfast up on Saturday and less sold on Sunday B.Food booth Had ve left over -we ate one & sold 4/ chicken was left over C. Rodeo Parade Woodlake if anyone wanted to participate meet Saturday 2) June 12th Pot Luck Friday Night New Business: 1) National Trails Day June 6th, Lewis trail Head 2) Trout Meadow Work Week July 3th-July 12th-Trout open Memorial weekend(need to complete roof on Cabin) and Bob and Horace were up two weeks ago and no water. Little Kern was only 12 inches deep at the depest spots.will have to pack water for self and feed for stock. Announcments: 1) Wednesday May.20th Board meeting 7:00 pm The Oates 2) July 15th Board meeting 6:15 pm and General meeting The Oates. First motion to adjourn made by Peggy 2nd by Bob Page 3

4 INTERAGENCY NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release Date: May 6, 2015 FIRE RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT MAY 6 SAVE THIS DATE 29th Annual BCHC Rendezvous March 18, 19, 20, 2015 In response to the increasing high re danger, the Sequoia National Forest, Tule River Reservation, and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) within the Central California District (CND) announced today, an Interagency Declaration to impose re restrictions for all Federal and State protected lands within Fresno, Tulare, and Kern Counties effective Wednesday, May 06, In the Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument camp res and barbecues are only allowed in developed campgrounds or areas designated as exempt from re restrictions. A list of designated exempt areas can be obtained from Forest Service of ces, and will soon be posted on the website Visitors are allowed to have a portable gas stove or lantern (with a ame on/off switch) outside developed or designated areas with a valid California camp re permit. A camp re permit can be obtained, free of charge, at any Forest Service, CALFIRE, or Bureau of Land Management of ce or by visiting the Sequoia National Forest website above and downloading a copy of the permit. For BLM, this declaration will include all BLM public lands located in Tulare, Fresno, Kings, Kern, Madera, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. Fire restrictions affect all BLM recreational areas including Three Rivers, San Joaquin River Gorge (Squaw Leap), Lake Isabella (Keyesville), Chimney Peak, Kennedy Meadows, and the Carrizo Plain. In addition, smoking is only permitted within an enclosed vehicle, building, developed recreation site (campground) or designated exempt area under these restrictions. Internal combustion engines may be operated only on roads and designated trails on BLM lands and Sequoia National Forest and within the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Ensure all vehicles and equipment are tuned and operating properly. Please contact the Tule River Fire Department or the Tule River Tribal Of ce for speci c re restriction information on Tule River Reservation Lands. Fire Department , Tribal Of ce Alicia Embrey Forest Public Affairs Of cer Sequoia National Forest/Giant Sequoia National Monument p: x1112 o: c: aliciamembrey@fs.fed.us Page 4 At the Calaveras Fair Grounds Angles Camp, California Working Together to Save Our Trails Want to help protect Archaeology and History? Become a site steward. You can help the Sequoia National Forest protect your heritage, by becoming a site steward. Volunteers to work with professional archaeologists to protect archaeological and historical resources by regularly visiting sites and recording changes. Initial CASSP volunteer training July 11-12, 2015 Western Divide Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest Hwy 190 Springville, CA To register: To learn more information about CASSP: Learn more about being a site steward on the Sequoia contact: Linn Gassaway, Zone Archaeologist, Giant Sequoia National Monument, Sequoia National Forest, ext. 396, lgassaway@fs.fed.us

5 New Ranger In Springville Springville, California, April 24, 2015 Sequoia National Forest Supervisor Kevin B. Elliott is pleased to announce the selection of Eric La Price as the new District Ranger overseeing the Western Divide Ranger District. Eric came to California from Arizona, where he was the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Planner and District Safety Manager for the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest in Sedona, Arizona, for about the last 6 years. Eric grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania enjoying the outdoors. He attended Gannon University and earned a BS in Biology/Ecology in 1994, a Graduate Certi cate in Environmental and Occupational Science and Health in 1997, and a MS in Environmental Science in Eric worked for four summers as a Lake Erie Lifeguard before becoming an Environmental Scientist at Urban Engineers of Erie, Inc., an engineering and environmental consulting rm in Erie. He spent nine years ( ) at Urban before breaking into the Forest Service. Eric worked for six years ( ) at the Dolores Public Lands Of ce in Dolores, Colorado as the NEPA Planner, Safety Manager and HAZMAT of cer. This was also a Service First Of ce, so he worked for both the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management across a very large landscape, which included the San Juan National Forest, the BLM San Juan Resource Area and the BLM Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. From there he went to Arizona to also be the NEPA Planner, Safety Manager and HAZMAT Of cer. In 2013, he did leave the Coconino to perform a temporary assignment in Region 1 as the Acting District Ranger of the Townsend Ranger District of the Helena and Lewis & Clark National Forests in Townsend, Montana. "Eric brings a technical skill set strong in planning and a passion for connecting with employees and people who so passionately care about and use Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument, stated Elliott. When not working, Eric likes to hike and camp, and takes all types of photographs. Page 5 National Park Service Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks For Immediate Release Contact: Mike Theune, Fire Information and Education Specialist Phone Number: (559) mike_theune@nps.gov Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in Effect May 20, 2015 SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, Calif. May 4, 2015 The past four years have seen an unprecedented drought not only in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks but the entire Sierra Nevada Range. Weather stations across the area are showing well below normal seasonal rainfall for this time of year. Furthermore, the winter snowfall was practically non-existent, leading to the smallest high elevation snowpacks on record. With the early season Potwisha Fire this past April, it is apparent that conditions in the park are exceptionally dry. Fire danger is currently at levels that are normally seen in June. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Superintendent Woody Smeck said, In order to protect our visiting public, staff, and the parks resources and assets, we must be proactive in our approach to this year s re season. Therefore, directed by the Superintendent of the parks, pursuant to the procedures in Appendix M of the parks Fire and Fuels and Fire Management Plan, Stage 2 Fire Restrictions will be effective at 8:00 a.m. on May 20, 2015 This means that wood or charcoal re will be prohibited in Buckeye Flat, Potwisha, and South Fork Campgrounds, as well as Ash Mountain and Hospital Rock Picnic Areas. This also includes Wilderness areas below 6,000 feet. Smoking is also prohibited below 6,000 feet, except within an enclosed vehicle, a building in which smoking is allowed, a campground or picnic area where wood and charcoal res are allowed, or a designated smoking area. Gas, propane, alcohol (with and without a shutoff valve) and tablet/cube stoves are still permitted in all areas. For information on the other re restriction stage levels, please visit rerestrictions.htm

6 July Ride Trout Ranger Station July 11, :00 AM Lewis Trailhead Back Country Horsemen - Sequoia Unit RSVP to Peg Wilson by August 2, 2015 Cost: NO COST For Food or Ride Must be a BCHC Member to participate. Membership applications accepted on location preceeding the ride. BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH Please RSVP by completing the Liability Release below and mailing it to Sequoia Unit, PO Box 456, Springville, CA or by dropping it by the Westwood Large Animal Clinic, Avenue 140 Porterville, CA RSVP can also be made by calling LIABILITY RELEASE: Must be a member to attend our insurance requires. Recognizing the fact that there is potential for accidents wherever horse use is involved which can cause injuries to horses, riders & spectators, and also recognizing the fact that Backcountry Horseman of California, Units, of cers or members cannot always know the conditions of trails or experience of riders or horses taking part in outings or trail rides or other BCHC functions, I do hereby release the above named from any claim or right for damages which might occur to me, my minor children, horses or equipment. Signature Phone # of Horses Date Signature Phone # of Horses Date Signature Phone # of Horses Date Must be a member of BCHC to participate. Please mail reservations to: $0.00 per person, $0.00 per family 2 or more = Sequoia Unit Your Phone Number P.O. Box 456 Page 6 Springville, CA 93265

7 BCHC-Sequoia May Ride and Potluck Behind Lake Success Pictures by Libby and Elaine The Annual Spring Ride and BBQ held on May 3, 2015 was another huge success! There were several groups out riding in the morning, then we all returned and had lunch and a general meeting around noon. There were a number of really nice items in the cup raf e. The next ride will be July 11, 1015 to Trout Ranger Station. Plan on leaving Lewis Trailhead around 9:00 AM and bring your lunch. TROUT MEADOW FENCE REPAIR WEEK Postponed from July 3-12, 2-15 to September 19-24, 2015

8 Classi ed and Newsletter Display Ad Rates Ads are prepaid. Please send business card or display with check for the duration of the ad. Classi ed ad rate for business card is $5.00 per month, quarter page, $10.00 per month, half page, $20.00 and whole page is $40.00 per month. One month free with a prepaid 1 year ad subscription. Editor reserves the right to refuse inappropriate ads BCH Sequoia Unit Refreshments July August September November Tom Masters Elaine Hodgkins Joy Girado Gail Inman EDITORS NOTE: Articles contained in the newsletter re ect the views of their author, and may not be consistant with those of the Editor, or BCH-Sequoia. Articles are provided by members and other/or interested parties. Editor reserves the right to edit articles as needed. Page 8

9 DIARY of A PACK TRIP Golden Trout Wilderness, Inyo National Forest June 7, to June 13, 2015 By Horace Wells Packing today is rapidly declining in many areas of the country, as is backpacking. When I talk of packing, I mean traveling the backcountry by moving from place to place, locating a camp spot off the trail and many times traveling cross-country. Today, it s harder to nd people who like doing this, most ride to a fenced in meadow where there is water and stay there until its time to pack up and go home. That s OK, but it s not what I like. Many of my pack trips are by myself, because I can t nd a person who likes to go places like I do. When I go by myself, I keep a diary of my trip for when I m old...er, so I can re-live my trips. Below is what I entered into my diary of the trip I just made. Enjoy! Sunday, June 7, 2015 Dear Diary; Today I left home about 11 AM to go on another pack trip. I took my horse Dandy and one mule by the name of Simon. I Stopped and fueled up at the Shell station on Plano and headed to Blackrock Trailhead by way of California Hot Springs. I arrived at Blackrock Ranger Station about 3:30 PM to pick up a Wilderness permit. Anne Dumas, an old friend was working and we chatted for a while. Then she showed me some pictures of her pack trips last year. She said in tribute to you, I now place a water bucket on top my pack and inside is my rst aid kit. I then drove the last 12 miles to the trailhead. Arriving there, two large rigs were pulling out, heading home to Bakers eld. They were day riders. There were no vehicles in the backpacker parking area. I m at the trailhead by myself. The weather was very cloudy, lighting and thunder but no rain. Placed the stock in the corral, got my gear ready for tomorrow, fed, watered the stock, myself and called it a day about 9:30 PM. Monday, June 8, 2015 Dear Diary; Awoke at 5 AM got dressed, feed the stock, made coffee and had breakfast. Laid my gear out, got the stock, packed up and hit the trail at 8 AM. My schedule for this trip, is to make a loop, stopping to spend nights at; Cold meadow, Saucer Meadow, Hidden camp on the Big Kern, Jordan Hot Springs and back to the trailhead. On the trail between Casa and Redrock I stopped counting downed trees across the trail at 13. From Redrock to Cold meadow the trail was clear. I arrived there at 12:30 PM. Unpacked, hobbled and turned loose the stock to graze, setup a highline, and picked a spot to sleep out under the stars. I took my critter cam and set it up, then took a walk around the meadow. Back in camp, I kicked back and relaxed. It was cloudy, a little windy with some thunder in the distance. About 6:30 PM I gather the stock and tied them to the highline. I xed my self a little dinner, cleaned up, put everything up for the night and gave the stock a little grain. Set down and saw a large bear cross the meadow in front of me. Later two deer came out to graze. About 9:30 I called it a day, put on my new white long johns and crawled into my sleeping bag. It was still cloudy, but no rain. About 11:45 I was awaken by drops of rain hitting my face, then a down pour. In a mad scramble I put on my head light and set up my tent. My pack cover protected my sleeping bag, but I was soaking wet by the time I got inside the tent. Tuesday, June 9, 2015 Dear Diary; Up this morning at 6 AM. It rained most of the night, off and on, but clear sky for now. Hobbled and turned loose the stock. Made coffee, ate, packed up, picked up my critter cam and headed out for Saucer meadow. On the trail close to Three Rocks, there was a large tree across the trail. I would have to go up and around to get through, but I needed to move a few large rocks rst. I turned around and rode back until I found a place to tie up, then walked back and began moving rocks. While trying to move one more large rock it slid down on my left foot, landing on my little toe and the one next to it. My foot was trapped between two large rocks, I talked to the Lord, but evidently he wasn't listing. Gosh did it hurt! With all my strength, I somehow managed to move the top rock just enough to pull my foot free. The trail I just built would have to do. I hobbled back (like Walter Brennan) to the stock, and when I tried to mount my horse, my toes hurt so bad, I had to mount from the right side, and would the rest of the trip. I was sure my two little toes on my left foot were broken. (later I would nd out they were) Arriving at Saucer meadow about 3 PM, I unpacked, hobbled the stock, turned them loose, set up camp, but this time I set up my tent, although the sky was clear all day. I kicked back, built at re and relaxed. Saucer Meadow is very pretty and not too far from Sequoia Park. Same schedule as last night, gathered the stock and place them on the highline, ate and called it a day about 9 PM. In my tent, I was afraid to pull my left boot off and see what was left of my toes. Dam, did it hurt to remove it, but I was surprised to see my toes were still in one piece...attached.and no blood. To change socks was a challenge. My white long johns were still damp, so I put on my red annel long johns that someone gave me years ago and I have never wore them. They even have a trapdoor in the rear with 4 large pewter buttons to keep the trapdoor closed. The buttons have large letters that say, MADE IN CHINA. The long johns looked just like the one s Brian Keith wore in the movie The Mountain Men but his were pink. It was OK to ware these, because no one was going to see me in them, besides, it was cold at night. Later I would nd out I had them on inside out! Page 9

10 DIARY of A PACK TRIP Wednesday, June 10, 2015 Dear Diary; It was a cold night, frost on the meadow, not a cloud in the sky. Getting dressed, I elected to leave the red long johns on, but putting on my left boot became a problem, my left foot was purple and swollen. I just let out a big yell and pulled, on it went. Same schedule as before, hobble, turn the stock out to graze, eat and pack up. Today I planed to ride to Hidden camp on the Big Kern, a good days ride. I left Saucer about 9 AM. Within the rst 15 minutes, I had a problem. My behind was beginning to feel those large MADE IN CHINA buttons, as they began to dig into my skin. I think I had put them on backwards last night in the tent. I decided to just grin and bare it, as it was too much trouble to get off and on my horse and with my foot s.o sore. At Kern Lake I came upon 3 backpackers who were heading to Kern Hot Springs. They informed me of a large tree across the trail that was impossible to get around. They had to slide their packs under and then they crawled under. They went on their way and I now had to choose to believe them, or keep going. My foot was throbbing and my butt burning from those buttons. So, I turned around and soon passed the backpackers, and headed to Volcano meadow to spend the night. I arrived at Volcano meadow with my left foot out of the stirrup and sitting sideways in the saddle. Same schedule as last evening, After taking care of the stock and having a snack, I built a small re and went to sit down, but my butt was very sore from those MADE IN CHINA buttons. So, I dropped my pants and cut those buttons off. The trapdoor now fell down exposing my behind, but I didn t have to sit on those buttons any more. After setting by my re a while I decided to make some coffee. I happen to be a big coffee drinker and after three cups, it dawned on me to get my harmonica out of my saddle bags. So, I sat by the re blowing on it (not really playing it) and probably scaring every living critter within hearing distance to the next county. It was getting dark when the next light bulb came on. I have some Merlot with me. So I get a bottle, open it and enjoy it while blowing on my harmonica. The rst bottle (small bottle) was so good, I had to have the second. After that one, I had to go to bed, but my foot was not hurting so bad, and neither was my butt, I think they were numb. I had been enjoying the evening so much, I hadn t notices the dark clouds moving in. About 30 minutes after I went to bed, the clouds cut loose. The rain mixed with hail hitting the tent awoke me. I turned over on my back, laid there listing, and then my bladder informed it needed to be relieved. Oh S t, no, not now! The coffee and wine was making it s way down and every hour I had to get up, hobble out of the tent and stand in the rain, trap door of my long johns down exposing my behind, while I relieved the bladder pressure, and getting wet. This routine continued most of the night! Were was my rain coat? On my saddle, that was covered and about sixty feet from the tent. But, I did have my hat on. Whoopee! Thursday, June 11, 2015 Dear Diary; Today I slept in till 7 am. Hobbled out of the tent, hobbled the stock, turned them loose. I have elected to spend one more night here to dry some things out and give my left foot a rest. After coffee and breakfast, I made a clothes line and hung out my long johns, both pair. It was a sunny bright morning, very still. After getting everything in order, I took a walk toward the cinder dome where I once had a good camp years ago. On the way back I found an obsidian spear point. Back in camp I just relaxed the rest of the day. After putting the stock up, having something to eat, putting everything away, I called it a day and went to bed. About 3 AM I was awakened by a noise that sounded like my bear boxes would make if you hit them together. As I hobbled out of the tent, I was right. Mr. Bear was rolling one of them around, trying to get into it. One yell and he was gone. 30 minutes later he was back! Another yell and he was gone. Another 30 minutes and he was back again. Tired of hobbling out of the tent so much, this time I opened one of the boxes and took out a can of 40 percent Deet Mosquito spray and sprayed the top of the boxes. Either it worked or Mr. Bear didn t come back for a fourth try. Friday, June 12, 2015 Dear Diary; Up at 5 AM today. I m suppose to be home today in time to attend the Sequoia Unit meeting and potluck that starts at 6 PM. I will never make it! Since my toes got smashed and I know they are broken, I am not moving as quick as normal, and my butt hurts every time I sit down. Before I put my boot on this morning, I got my rst aid kit, took out a roll of tape and taped my toes together. This made putting on my boot a little harder, but I think it helped the pain. Finally I m pack up and again mount my horse from the right side. When my butt hit the seat, it was like lighting hit it. Those MADE IN CHINA buttons had branded my behind the other day. I had put some salve on the 4 spots but it apparently did little good. I arrive back at Blackrock about 5:45 PM. Not a single other rig there and no vehicles in the backpacking parking area. As I begin to unpack, it starts to rain again. As quickly as I can hobble around I unpack and place the items in the back of my trailer. Once completed, it stops raining. I place the stock in the corrals, feed and water them and then myself. About this time, vehicles start arriving at the backpacker parking. More and more arrived until the parking area was almost full. These were not backpackers but campers, with dogs and loud music. I got everything ready for a fast exit tomorrow morning and went to bed. Saturday, June 13, 2015 Dear Diary; Up at 5:30 AM and fed, watered the stock, then made coffee. I was not going to have breakfast, I have elected to stop on the way home and eat at a restaurant. But rst, I needed to clean up. I had not taken a shower on the trip nor had I shaved. I m sure I looked and smelt like a hermit. As I was heating some water to take a much needed Page 10

11 DIARY of A PACK TRIP bath and shave, more vehicles kept arriving in the backpacking parking area until it was over owing. As I started to enter my trailer, a person walked up and asked excuse me, where does the trail start. I stopped and sat down my bucket of hot water and pointed to where the trail started. He was new to the area, a school teacher from Carlsbad. He was going down to Jordan Hot Springs, then on down to the Kern to do a little shing. He asked about the weather, I told him it could rain at anytime, if there was no cloud cover at night it could get cold. He said he wished he had a pair of long johns. I seized the moment and offered up my red long johns. He passed, thanked me, and was on his way. I hurried in the trailer, stripped off and washed my face, then got ready to shave. I was standing in front of the mirror, putting on some shaving cream, with the razor in my hand, when I heard a knock on the trailer door. I gured it was the backpacker coming back after the red long johns, so I said, the doors open. And open it did, not the backpacker, but a young lady! She stood there a couple of seconds looking at me, naked, hair sticking straight up, shaving cream on my face, my left foot taped and it was unraveling. Four large red circles with the inscription MAID IN CHINA branded on my butt. She let out a scream, and took off. I closed the door, went back to shaving. Strange, I thought! She never said what she wanted! NEWS RELEASE FIRST USDA FOREST SERVICE-OPERATED NEXT GENERATION AIRTANKER SOON TO BEGIN FLYING WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION MISSIONS The USDA Forest Service (Forest Service) and the U.S. Coast Guard (Coast Guard) are in the nal stages of preparing for the Coast Guard to transfer a Next Generation Airtanker to the Forest Service. The agencies expect Tanker 118 to begin ying wild re suppression missions from Sacramento, California this week. The Forest Service began to use airtankers to drop re retardant to reduce the intensity and spread of wild res in the 1950s. For the past 35 years, the Forest Service has used airtankers contracted from private industry. The 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorized the transfer of seven HC-130H aircraft from the Coast Guard to the Forest Service for use in wild re suppression. The rst HC-130H, known as Tanker 118, is currently located at Forest Service Air Station McClellan (FSAS MCC) in Sacramento, California, which will be its base of operations for the next two years. Tanker 118 is expected to be available to y wild re suppression missions beginning Friday, July 10. While we will continue to rely on our partners in private industry to provide airtankers, operating aircraft ourselves will provide additional stability to the eet, said Tom Harbour, Director of Fire and Aviation Management for the Forest Service. We greatly appreciate the outstanding support that we are receiving from the Coast Guard and the U.S. Air Force (Air Force), which is critical to bringing the HC-130Hs into service. Tanker 118 has been located at the Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento since mid-june while maintenance, installation and testing of the Modular Airborne Fire ghting System (MAFFS) unit and contractor pilot and maintenance crew training have been taking place. FSAS MCC will be located adjacent to CGAS Sacramento during the initial phase of the program to allow continued cooperation. A systematic search for a permanent base of operations for all seven HC- 130H aircraft is underway. "The Coast Guard is very happy with the outstanding cooperation we have experienced with the Forest Service in establishing this rst-of-its-kind program for our service, said Cmdr. Michael Frawley, chief of Aeronautical Engineering, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters. We look forward to a strong partnership that supports the Forest Service in achieving safe and effective wild re suppression missions in the coming years." Tanker 118 will y this year and in 2016 with the MAFFS unit to provide an initial capability and to gain experience in operating the aircraft. While the Forest Service and Coast Guard will jointly own and manage Tanker 118, the Forest Service has contracted with Consolidated Air Support Systems (CASS) of Temecula, California for aircrew services and with DRS Technologies of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for maintenance services. Tanker 118 will only y wild re suppression missions within 500 nautical miles of FSAS MCC so that it can return there each night for maintenance by contract crews and support from Coast Guard crews. The Forest Service, Coast Guard, and Air Force have been working together to complete the signi cant amount of work that is needed on all seven HC-130H aircraft before they can begin ying wild re suppression missions. These modi cations include demilitarization; performing wing and airframe modi cations; designing, contracting for, manufacturing and installing retardant tanks; and equipping them with radios, Aircraft Flight Following, and other equipment. The Air Force will perform center and outer wing-box replacement modi cations, programmed depot-level maintenance, and modi cations necessary to procure and integrate a gravity-fed retardant delivery system (RDS) in each aircraft before they can be transferred to the Forest Service for re ghting missions. When Tanker 118 comes into service, the Forest Service will have a total of 22 airtankers available full-time for wild re suppression this re season. The agency also has the ability to activate up to 8 military C-130s equipped with MAFFS into service as needed. An additional HC-130H is expected to arrive at FSAS MCC in October to serve as a training aircraft. All seven HC-130Hs airtankers are expected to be modi ed and transferred to Forest Service ownership by 2019.

12 Sequoia Unit P.O. Box 456 Springville, CA UPCOMING EVENTS July Trout Meadow fence repair week POSTPONED TO September 19-24, 2015 TBA July Trout Ranger Station ride 9:00 AM August Pine Flat Ride TBA August General Meeting - The Oates 7:00 PM August Montana DeOro (Not a Club Ride - If Interested Contact Gail Inman) 2:00 PM September Weekend Ride at Paloma Camp Area TBA Sept Moonlight ride behind Lake Success Dinner, Meeting then Ride 5:00 PM October Ride at Camp Nelson TBA October General Meeting - Westwood Large Animal Clinic (Dr. Jamie Wilson s Place) 7:00 PM November Ride at Upper Grouse Valley TBA November General Meeting - Westwood Large Animal Clinic (Dr. Jamie Wilson s Place) 7:00 PM December Annual Christmas Party TBA