Back Country Horsemen - Sequoia Volunteers Packing Supplies to the US Forest Service Archaeology Crew at Trout Meadow

Transcription

1 Volume 17 Number 4 July-August 2013 Back Country Horsemen - Sequoia Volunteers Packing Supplies to the US Forest Service Archaeology Crew at Trout Meadow Photos Courtesy of Elaine Hodgkins Our volunteers had some interesting tales to tell after this trip! They lost one of their dogs, (which they later found), saw a full grown bear about 40 yards away standing up watching them, nearly stepped on a rattle snake at the cabin, had packs slipping, and when it seamed that nothing else could possibly go wrong, they made it back out to the trailhead to go home to a much needed shower and rest only to nd they had a at tire miles from phone service. Incredibly, they d all go again in a heart-beat. You have to be pretty tough to be a Back Country Horseman/Horsewoman! Taking Archeological equipment to Trout. Packing out the Core Samples for Further Study

2 Inside This Issue: BCH Contact Information 2 Presidents Message/Minutes 3 Amphibians To Endanger 4 Human Activities $ Press Releases Classi eds 5 Trout Meadow Ride 6 True Meaning of 7 Independence Day Freeman Trail Ride 8 Trout Meadow Cow Camp 9 Sierra Trail Project Membership Application 11 Upcoming Events 12 WILDERNESS RIDERS SEQUOIA UNIT Bonnie Searcy Emily Miles Ruthie Heuer Bradley miles Paul Frisby Bob Hodgkins President - BACKCOUNTRY HORSEMAN OF CALIFORNIA SEQUOIA UNIT STATE BOARD OFFICERS State Director - Jan Walker qhbrat@hotmail.com Jamie Wilson Vice President - Sandy Oates sandyoates@yahoo.com Secretary - Peg Wilson Treasurer - Newsletter - Gus Beaty gus11597@gmail.com Gail Inman gail.inman@gmail.com Education - Jamie Wilson drjamie91@earthlink.com Membership - Libby Beaty beattylibby@gmail.com Service - Bob Oates Public Lands - Steve Ladrigan steve.ladrigan@cpsagu.com Web Master Coordinator - Phil LoMonaco phils@springvillewireless.com Rodeo Board Rep - Steve Ladrigan Rodeo Board Rep - Gail Inman gail.inman@gmail.com President - Dennis Serpa dmserpa@cwnet.com 1st Vice President- Richard Waller homeranch@gmail.com 2nd Vice President - Carrie Johnen cjubilee@comcast.net Secretary - Kaye Bruns kowgrl@charter.net Treasurer - Lynn Joiner lynnjoiner@sbcglobal.net VP of Public Lands - Bob Gage bobgage@wildblue.net CO-VP of Education - Dan Horn Bearstrap@msn.com BCHA Nat l Director - Pete Krieger pkrigerjr@yahoo.com Ann Lange kvvet@onemain.com BCHA Nat l Alternate Director - BCHA Alternate Nat l Board Rep - Dan Clifford bigeasycowboy@mac.com BCHA Past Presidents - Paul Chip Herzig membership@bchcalifornia.org Larry Shuman ishuman62@gmail.com BCHC Webmule: Jacque Murphy brennaluet@hotmail.com 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: Libby Beatty (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 HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!! Our annual potluck was again a great evening with delicious food and enjoyable company. Thank you Bob and Sandy for allowing us to gather at your lovely home! For those of you who are braving the heat and riding, remember to carry water when you are out on the trail and don't forget to carry some for the horses as well! If you are headed to Trout Meadow, you will notice a new water trough packed in by Bob Hodgkins and Mike Gifford. Thanks guys! There is still lots of fence work to be done though, several fence posts need to be replaced, mostly in the public pasture. There is some good news as well, Lynn Gassaway from the USFS has informed me that new holes have been started for the outhouses at Trout and we are free to move them when we can, as they are outside of the historical site! And boy do they need to be moved!! Volunteers are greatly needed, so call Bob Oates to sign up! Don't forget the annual club ride at Trout Meadow will be July 20 and 21. Don't forget to RSVP-see yer inside. Also, we now have the plastic cup/straw with BCH Sequoia and packer(see picture), in stock. The cost is $10 each. Call me (Jan) to reserve yours today Hope to see you at the next meeting on July 17th at the Oates, at 7 pm. May 15, 2013 General meeting Minutes Call to order: 7:17 pm by vice-pres Sandy Oates Flag salute: Bob Oates Program: Bob Hodgkins Treasurer: We received a donation of $125 from ACE Membership: We have 147 members, our goal is 150 Service: - National Trails Day June 1-2 at Lewis Camp Trailhead It is also an overnight camp out and ride on Sunday. - The Beatty's and Oates have been working at Grouse on fencing, trails, and general clean up. - Nancy Hamil is in charge of the ACE trips this year, if you wish to volunteer please contact Nancy. - Archaeology dig at Trout Meadow June and July 1-5. They will need help packing equipment in and out. Rodeo: - Reverse Draw dinner June 22nd tickets are $100 - The food booth went well, we do have some suggestions to improve breakfast for more pro t: (a) pancake breakfast on Sat, (b) pancakes and sell. Tickets at a reasonable price (c) dutch oven desserts or just adding a dessert. Mike D. made a motion to take these to the board for further discussion, second by AJ H. -Rodeo parade went well, we had 9 riders. Public Lands: -RACK money has provided us with a new sign and a new machine will be purchased to make the rest needed to replace damaged or missing signs in the back country. Adjourned at 8:25 pm Next meeting will be the potluck at the Oates on June 12 at 6pm Page 3

4 Amphibians To Endanger Human Activities The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is in the process of listing the Yellow Legged Frog and the Yosemite Toad as an endangered species. If this were to happen as this agency is proceeding, it could have severe effects on our recreation in the Sierra Nevada. The area that the agency is showing as being affected, would cover 16 counties in the Sierra, involving 2.2 million acres of land. This could mean that many of your favorite areas in the Sierra could be restricted to equine use. This is something that needs to be addressed by the public and our elected of cials. This can cause major problems for a lot of people. You can nd more information on this at: sacramento/outreach/2013/4-24/outreach_ newsroom_ htm A public meeting is being set up in Sonora at the Motherlode Fairgrounds, in the Sierra Building, on August 6th at 2:00 PM. Congressmen Nunes, Cook, McCarthy, and McClintock will be there. It is also hoped that USFWS will accept an invitation to be there also. Please attend and speak out on this issue. Bob Magee NEWS RELEASE Sequoia National Forest and the Giant Sequoia National Monument 1839 S. Newcomb Street, Porterville, CA Extreme re danger means no camp res in the Sequoia National Forest Release Date: Jun 25, 2013 Porterville, CA Contact(s): Cody Norris The Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument (Sequoia) will increase the level of re restrictions starting June 26, A very dry winter led to high re danger much earlier than in previous years. Continued high temperatures and low moisture have prompted re of cials to increase re restrictions. Sequoia re of cials will keep these restrictions in effect until further notice. Beginning June 26, no camp res will be allowed anywhere on the forest. Stoves and lanterns with shut-off valves that use gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel will be allowed only in authorized campsites if the operator possesses a valid California Camp re Permit. A list of these authorized locations is available online here. The list includes most campsites, the Jennie Lakes Wilderness, the Golden Trout Wilderness, and the Dome Land Wilderness. Camp re permits and a list of areas allowing stoves on the Sequoia National Forest may also be obtained at Forest Service visitor information desks. When using a stove, remember to clear all ammable material ve feet in all directions from the stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times when in use. Operating an internal combustion engine outside properly designated roads or trails, welding, and using explosives will all be strictly prohibited during these increased restrictions. If riding a motorized vehicle on trails, ensure your engine is tuned, operating properly, and has an approved spark arrester. Smoking will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles and within authorized recreation sites. Brent Skaggs, Forest Fire Management Of cer, stated, Forest fuel moisture is at a level we usually don t see until much later in the summer, and it will take everyone s diligence to prevent wild res. These restrictions will remain in place until the end of the re season, normally in late autumn. Anyone causing a wild re could be liable for all costs associated with suppressing the re. Visitors to Forest Service and adjacent BLM and Park Service lands need to carefully follow each agency s current re restrictions. If you spot a re, call 911. Page 4

5 CLASSIFIED ADS Classi ed and Newsletter Display Ad Rates It s time to renew Newsletter Ads... 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. Page 5 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.

6 Trout Meadow Ride Saturday July 20, 2013 Back Country Horsemen - Sequoia Unit RSVP Required to Jan Walker or Peg Wilson by July 17, 2013 Cost: BRING YOUR OWN FOOD $5.00 per Person $10.00 per Family Must be a BCHC Member to participate. Membership applications accepted on location preceeding the ride. 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 or 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: $5.00 per person, $10.00 per family 2 or more = Sequoia Unit Your Phone Number P.O. Box 456 Page 6 Springville, CA 93265

7 The True Meaning of Independance Day Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors,and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. He quietly urged General George Washington to open re. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children ed for their lives. His elds and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to nd his wife dead and his children vanished. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid. Remember: freedom is never free! Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward BCH Sequoia Unit Refreshments Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallishad taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. Page 7 July August September October November December Elaine Hodgkins Crystal Champion Gail Inman Christmas Party

8 Freeman Trail Ride Saturday August 18, 2013 Back Country Horsemen - Sequoia Unit Cost: BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH $5.00 per Person $10.00 per Family Must be a BCHC Member to participate. Membership applications accepted on location preceeding the ride. 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: $5.00 per person, $10.00 per family 2 or more = Sequoia Unit Your Phone Number P.O. Box 456 Page 8 Springville, CA 93265

9 Trout Meadow Cow Camp Sierra Trail Project - June 2012 Shown in photo from ledt to right: back row; John Avila, Bradley Miles, Owen Hansen, Matt Kiever, Jorge Cruz and Paul Frisby, Jose Loyala, Paul Miles. Front row; Emily Miles, Westley Miles, Sierra Garibay, Molly Miller, Andres Sorino and Robert Miles The project is in cooperation with the Sequoia National Forest Service, Carpinteria High School Future Farmers of America, Wilderness Riders and volunteers from Back Country Horsemen of California Sequoia and Antelope Valley Units. The goal of this project is to introduce young people to the Golden Trout Wilderness in the High Sierra. To make it more interesting, a mentor program was implemented to help rst time students to learn skills. Hence trail and fence work in the form of public service became the vehicle to achieve this goal. The crew this year consisted of four boys and two girls from the Carpinteria High School and members of the Future Farmers of America. Three packers volunteered to bring in supplies and support trail crews which all were from the BCHC. Emily and Bradley Miles also packed in supplies. Adult mentors Wesley and Robert Miles along with FFA teacher, John Avila, teamed up with different pods. Cow Camp, which is privately owned by the Miles family, worked as the base camp for the trail work. Liability insurance is through California Farm Bureau. Releases are required for the students from their parents. The students, student mentors and the adult mentors worked in teams on the trails. Again this year we worked with the Sequoia National Forest under a grant for expenses. They had workshops with BCHC members to develop standards and procedures. Trail adoption by different units was established. Last year SNF provided chain saw training for 3 volunteers. The Cow Camp crew adopted the Jerky trail, the Lewis-Hockett trail and the Kern Flats trail. These are ongoing trails as each year maintenance needs to be done in clearing fallen trees or brushing sections of the trails. The following are notes from my journal of the trip: June 20 - Leave Carpinteria for Springville. Emily arrives along with students Sierra and Molly. Wesley and I arrive late at night. Buy more supplies and start loading panniers. Page 9 June 21 - Bob Oates arrives to take some of the panniers. Girls go with him. Loaded truck with saddles and panniers. Put stock in trailer. Emily, Wesley and myself make GTW pack station by noon. Packed and on trail mid-afternoon with girls and extra stock from pack station. Packer, Paul Frisby leaves from Jerky as well as Rob Miles with four boys on foot. Wesley is on foot also. June 22 - Start maintenance on Kern Flat trail. Two pods brush and cut. Myself and two riders work on lower part of trail. On return help other pods. Mr. Avila arrives by noon. Have lunch at Kern Flat. Long day but we nished trail. June 23 - Rob and Avila brush and cut on Lewis trail from Trout Meadow to Leggat Creek. Bob packs tools for them. Paul scouts out Round Meadow Trail. Owen and myself de on to work the upper part of the Lewis trail to the SNP boundary. Work from Devils Staircase to Kern Big Lake. Late in day jam chainsaw in log. Ride on sans bar and chain to family camp by the Kern River where Golden Trout Creek meet. Dig out another chainsaw. Two foot pods return to Cow Camp. June 24 - Foot pods return to nish Lewis trail back to Trout Meadow. Bob leaves back out on Lewis trail in the morning. We leave early from the Kern Camp. Retrieve bar and chain. Continue back to work on Grasshoper at. Owen and myself make camp late in the day. Foot pods are showered and rested. June 25 - Join crew with Paul work on Trout Creek Trail to the Little Kern River. They take time off to enjoy swimming and relaxing. Emily and I work at camp for the day. After dinner we have safety and Leave No Trace training. June 26 - Paul, Jorge, Andres and myself work on trail from Trout Meadow Ranger Station to Round Meadow. Mostly small trees on trail plus a few large ones. Have disagreement with my horse on way back. I lost. Broke collar bone and rib. June 27 - Ride out next day with Wesley and dog, Jack. Rest of crew starts to break camp and head out through Jerky or Lewis Trailheads. Spend most of night at hospital in Porterville. Emily and girls arrive in Springville in late afternoon. Foot crew leaves with Paul via Jerkey. June 28 - Drive home to Carpinteria. Wesley and I make tracks home. Emily and girls follow. The tally for this trip total 21.9 miles of trail brushed and 70 trees removed from the trails. As a side note Charley Morgan, an early member of BCHC, and I discussed frequently while riding on the trails in the Golden Trout Wilderness the idea of bringing youth in the Sierras. That was twenty some odd years ago and he is long gone on the high trail. It was not until I started working as a volunteer in our FFA program that it jelled in my mind to work with the Forest Service as a means to bring students on the mentor/work program. The whole project has been a group effort. This is our fourth year and we hope to keep doing it one way or another. Young people need this kind of positive experience. Respectfully submitted, Bradley R. Miles

10 Water Trough Packing Project Descending to the Little Kern Bridge hauling in the new water trough to put in at Trout Ranger Cabin. Elaine & Bob Hodgkins along with Michael Gifford & Crystal Champion. Out with the old and in with the new... Crossing the stock bridge with a very wide load! Bob and Mike getting the new trough ready Almost to Trout Ranger Station Page 10 Our stock their owners all THANK YOU!

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12 Sequoia Unit P.O. Box 456 Springville, CA UPCOMING EVENTS July General Meeting - Oates Place 7:00 PM July Trout Ride 9:00 AM August General Meeting Oates Place 7:00 PM August Freeman Trail Ride - Bring a Lunch 9:00 AM August Hot August Nights - Springville Rodeo Grounds 6:00 PM September Fall Ride at Big Meadow TBA September General Meeting 7:00 PM October General Meeting 7:00 PM October Fall Moonlight Ride - Lake Success TBA October Apple Festival TBA November Blue Ridge Ride 10:00 AM November General Meeting 7:00 PM December Annual Christmas Party TBA