Tip of the Month Stan Kvistad. A Word From The President Stan Kvistad

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1 Okanogan Valley Chapter, Back Country Horsemen of Washington The Picket Line Volume 27, Issue 2 February 2013 your friends! The more the merrier! If you would like to go for a sleigh ride, February 9 th or 10 th at our house sounds like a good time. It s not on any schedule but just something I thought I would throw out there - so, call if you are interested {Stan (509) } and we ll see what happens Well, I hope your hay stack holds out and we ll see ya at the dessert auction! God bless Stan A Word From The President Stan Kvistad What a beautiful day in paradise! Yes we have had a good deal of gray type days but the sunny Okanogan has prevailed! Hope the New Year has found everyone in good health and a smile on your face! Rae Morris has got the New 2013 Year books done and they look good so look for them in your mail box in the next couple of weeks, and please look over your personal information so we can get it corrected if need be. The next big deal we have coming up is the sweetheart dessert auction (all kinds of goodies), at this time it will be our only fund raiser this year, and it s a little different as we are having a potluck first followed buy the auction. Potluck starts at six auction at seven. So put together your favorite whatever and bring your friends and piggy bank and we ll have some fun! Yes, I said bring Tip of the Month Stan Kvistad Now this is something I have trouble with, and it stems around a little thing called procrastination! But get motivated - dig out your tack and do some oiling; see what needs repaired or replaced so you are ready to go when that first warm spring day comes along. You can also take your repairs to Tom s Shoe and Tack in Omak and he can handle about anything. That reminds me - I ve got to replace that vintage bailer twine curb strap! LOL Stan If you have a tip of the month please send it to Trygve or I and we ll try to get it in the newsletter. 1

2 Minutes of the January 2013 Chapter Business Meeting The meeting was called to 6:40 by President, Stan Kvistad. There were 22 people in attendance, including 2 guests. We stated with the Pledge of Allegiance. Stan introduced the guests, Elmer Rappe and Ernie Walters. A motion was made by Dave Sunde and seconded by Nora to approve the November minutes as printed on the Web page. Approved. Treasurer s Report: Cathy Kvistad read the report. We are solvent. A motion was made to approve the Treasurer s report by Dave Sunde and seconded by Lu Young. Approved. Director s Report: Dave Sunde said his report is in the newsletter and on the website. Trail Boss: Dave Sunde said his report is in the newsletter and on the website. Legislative Report: Dave reported that he is going to the Big Hat Day Legislative Day on Jan. 28 th everyone welcome. Volunteer Hours Report: Nora said that she doesn t know why she gave Tryg the newsletter!!! She s working on getting set up and wanted to let everyone know that it s important to get your hours in. Stan stated that Nora will be going to the Volunteer Hr. class in Ellensburg in Rendezvous. Website: Dave Sunde getting up to date. Domain name needs to be reserved in March. The cost is $15 a year and he will take care of this. Dave asked for photos to be sent to him in format of 1 meg. or more or give him your card from you camera and he will bring his computer to meeting to copy. Newsletter: Tryg stated that if we don t send him information our newsletter will get really small. In future newsletters he would like articles about your favorite trails. Social Director: Our annual Sweetheart Auction will be on February 20 the Tonasket Senior Center. Gail encouraged everyone to sign up for what desserts they want to bring. Remember, this is our only fund raiser this year so bring lots of desserts, bring lots of money to spend and be sure to bring friends!! UNFINISHED BUSINESS: We received grant check from OTC for $1930 has been deposited. Whistler Canyon articles, Tryg and Dave Sunde are working on a presentation for Rendezvous. Photos are needed of center section (12 miles) and Windy Point picnic table area. Better presentation is photos have people in them preferably doing something! Whistler Canyon benches - Tryg reported that they are in the Oroville HS shop, maybe! He is looking into it and will address in the spring would like materials in hand still need concrete. Raffle calendars - Tryg reported for Dave Swanberg, who is home sick, that there are 19 calendars left. Let him know if you d like one and he will get them. NEW BUSINESS Stan reviewed the calendar of events. Dave Sunde said that he will notify Rae of the changes made. The schedule of events will be published in the Blue Book and should be distributed within the next See Minutes on page 3 2

3 Minutes continued from page 2 few weeks. Tom Windsor asked about indoor chain saw certification and Tryg said that it is no longer required. Rendezvous Auction Donation The board met on Monday and made a recommendation to donate $250 to the auction. Motion was made by Tryg and seconded by Dave Sunde. Approved. Chapter Presentation for 2013 Rendezvous Tryg and Dave Sunde are working on the presentation. Rendezvous Chapter Display Sandra has agreed to work on the display. She needs a topographical map and photos of Whistler Canyon. Ernie will make her a tray, Tryg will get her a map and Dave Sunde will get her photos on a CD. Thank you Sandra for offering to do this project, we really appreciate your help Budget Cathy has a preliminary budget. Dave Sunde made a motion to table the budget until the March meeting. Seconded by Tryg and approved. Youth Day Nora is heading up this event with help from Gail and Gail and Cathy too! She will report more when she has some of the details worked out. Coming Events The dessert auction will be on February 20 th at the Tonasket Senior Ctr. Tryg will contact Jerry to see if he will be the auctioneer again this year. Please bring goodies and $ to buy lots of stuff! Tryg talked about the passing of Jim Pruitt. He was a very special man and we will truly miss him. Tom Windsor asked to talk about our partnering with the Okanogan Co. Snowmobile Assn. on rebuilding and maintenance on the Snowshoe cabin site. The State is providing the funding for the building materials, etc., with us only having to provide the labor. Dave Sunde made the motion to accept Tom s request and was seconded by Jerry Downs. Approved. See minutes on page 4 A Valentines Poem From The World According to Baxter Black Baxter Black On Friends As I sit here blowing smoke rings from the pipedreams that I ve had I m wonderin if I ve told him how many times its made me glad Just to know he s out there somewhere, like a dollar in my shoe And how much it would please me if he felt the same way, too When I add up all my assets, he s one thing I can t appraise What s a promise or a handshake or a phone call worth these days It s a credit with no limit. It s a debt that never ends And I ll owe him till forever cause you can t be more than friends. A friendship is a sum greater than the total of its parts. Baxter Black Eden Valley Guest Ranch 31 Eden Valley Lane Patrick and Robin Stice (509)

4 Minutes continued from page 3 FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Tom Windsor also gave us a safety pitch. He said to be careful if you get in a Jing jangs when cutting trees watch everything you cut. Do a thorough analysis and proceed cutting with extreme caution. Dave Sunde said there is a CAG Whistler s Restaurant on Jan. 31 4:30pm. Cathy reported that the Chapter will be joining WOGA and Blue Ribbon Coalition. Tom Windsor explained what Blue Ribbon Coalition represented. Also, photos are need by BCHW (see Tryg) and recipes for the cookbook that BCHW is putting together (see Cathy). The meeting was adjourned at 8:40. Respectfully submitted: Cathy Kvistad, Acting Secretary What's Happening on Trails in the Okanogan Dave Sunde, OVC Trail Boss We had our annual planning meeting on January 14 th. We have a pretty good mix of activities and work projects. Some of the projects still need to be firmed up and a lot depends upon when the snow goes away this year. The first quarter has 2 big events. The first is the annual meeting/rendezvous in Ellensburg on March 15 th -17 th. Please plan on attending this event. The second is a trailer seminar. This will include backing training and demonstrations as well as maintenance checks and repair suggestions. This will also include information on lights and how to keep them shining so you won t be stopped on the highways and byways. The annual CAG meeting will be on the 31 st at Whistler s in Tonasket at 4:30PM. This is our opportunity to make our needs known to the WDFW and for them to explain their plans. In the past these have been fairly productive meetings. April sees our first real work parties. On the 20 th we will have chain saw certification in conjunction with a work party at Smith Lake. On the 26th will be our annual work party on WDFW land in the Sinlehekin. We have moved this out a few weeks because in the past we have encountered snow and fairly nasty weather on earlier dates. There will be more information on all these events as they draw nearer. 4

5 From My Spot on the Picket Line Trygve Culp, Newsletter Editor Me and Harley taking a break on the Edd s Mt trail in Ferry County up near the Kettle Crest south of the Snow Peak cabin. There are a couple of new features in this month s issue: - I m calling the first one Out on the Trail (see page 7). I m hopeful that members will help out with this column by submitting horse or mule stories of interest, trail or campsite descriptions, photos, favorite camp or potluck recipes, poems or just about anything else that would be of interest to others. The other new feature is called, Tip of the Month (see page 1). In this feature I d like you to share your favorite tips that make your life as an equestrian easier, more fun or safer. Send me a picture of yourself to include with the story or article. See you on the trails - soon I hope! Until then stay safe and warm and I ll see you at the potluck supper and Sweetheart Dessert Auction on February 20th. Chapter Elected Officers for 2013 President: Stan Kvistad Vice President: Steve McKinney Secretary: Cher Bower Treasurer: Cathy Kvistad Trail Boss: Dave Sunde Director: Dave Sunde Alternate Director: Dave Swanberg Immediate Past President: Vacant Chapter Appointed Officers for 2013 Volunteer Hours Coordinator: Nora Rappe Leave No Trace Coordinator: Vacant Newsletter Editor: Trygve Culp Publicity Chair: Linda Oborne Alternate Trail Boss: Trygve Culp Please patronize the businesses that advertise in our newsletter. While you are shopping in their businesses or utilizing their services please thank them for supporting our efforts to keep trails open on public lands in the Okanogan. 5

6 Director s Report Dave Sunde Chapter Director Gail and I recently attended the BCHW Legislative Day in Olympia. This coincided with The Big Tent Outdoor Coalition Legislative Day. There were over 30 organizations represented as well as several State Agencies. During some down time I walked around to observe some of the booths and kiosks set up by other organizations. A few things struck me as I shuttled between displays and struck up conversations with some of the participants: 1. We are all committed to enhancing outdoor recreation in our own niche. Often we compete directly with other organizations for the same grant money, but in the end, most of the organizations have the same or similar goals; and 2. There are often opportunities for partnering as the OVCBCHW has done with the Snowmobile Association for the rebuilding of the cabin in the Loomis Forest. Each organization has their unique brand. By brand we need to think about more than what we put on our horses and mules. We need to think about what the BCHW brand means and how it is perceived by the public as well as government agencies and most importantly what it means to other organizations in the outdoor recreation community. The BCHW Brand needs to be more widely recognized both within this community and beyond. We cannot take out a multimillion dollar Super Bowl add like Budweiser or Pepsi so we need to work hard as individual members and chapters to make sure that everyone knows what we do and why we do it. For the most part we are doing a fairly good job of getting our Brand out for everyone to see. But there is always room for improvement. As I moved from exhibit to exhibit I asked people if they knew of the BCHW and what we did. Too many people look at us as just a trail riding group and do not realize that we do a tremendous amount of volunteer work on public lands. This is a perception that we can and must change if we are to grow and attract the attention of the younger recreators we need to augment our aging cadre. This coming year I d like to spend some energy on enhancing the BCHW Brand. If everyone can do a little, then as an organization we can accomplish a lot. Some of the simple things we can do such as displaying the BCHW Logo on all our vehicles doesn t cost much and gives us exposure. We can wear our BCHW (or chapter) jackets and shirts whenever possible or appropriate. These and other little things help the community know who we are and can stimulate further conversations. I ll climb down off my mounting block now and wish you all well. I hope to see everyone at the upcoming Sweetheart Auction on the 20 th. Bring a friend. 6

7 Out on the Trail Trygve Culp I d like to start this feature out with a description of one of my new favorite, low elevation, early season, easy access rides in the north Okanogan - the Wild Horse Spring loop ride. The Wild Horse Spring trail is accessed off of the new USFS Wilcox trailhead. Driving directions to the trailhead are on the Chapter website at: ovcbchw.com. It is widely believed that the Wild Horse Spring trail will eventually be named as a segment of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail. It is mostly a difficulty level 1 trail with a short section of level 2; that is to say, it is a pretty easy ride. Much of the upper length of the old, historic trail has been wiped out by recent timber harvest activity, but not to worry. The trail now mostly follows skid trails and haul routes for the first couple of miles. The intersections are marked with WHS directional arrow confidence markers and the route is fairly easy to follow (watch for the signs, cut logs and equine poop). There is an easy to spot re-route at about 1 and 1/2 miles where the trail swings to the north and west around a small seasonal pond - the re-route goes off of the haul route and follows a well defined trail for a short 1/8 mile to a newly constructed turnpike. Off the end of the turnpike, the trail picks up a well defined stock driveway. At about 2 miles, the trail drops into Wild Horse Canyon. This 1/4 mile is the toughest piece of the trail as it drops quite steeply on a fairly narrow tread to the canyon bottom. At the bottom, the stock driveway ties into the Wild Horse Canyon road - a long abandoned Forest Service road that connects Wild Horse Spring stock water development (on private ground) with the Whistler Canyon road. At this junction, the trail turns north (left) and follows the abandoned roadway. In the spring and early summer there are some very interesting water features for you and your equine partner to navigate. One pond is about 300 feet long and gets up to 15 inches deep out towards the center. Great refresher training for mules and Peggy Swanberg and Rhapper in the seasonal pond on the Wild Horse Spring trail. riders! Just as the trail starts down toward the Whistler Canyon Road there is a really cool lunch spot west of the route on top of a bluff with absolutely spectacular views of the Okanogan River valley, but watch your step - the rocks are covered with moss that can be very slick if it is wet. At the junction with the Whistler Canyon road No. 100 turn northeast (right) and continue the ride up the canyon to Forest Service Road If you had turned left (west) at this point you could ride all the way down Whistler Canyon to the trailhead on Highway 97 just south of Oroville. At the intersection of FS Road 3525 and 100, turn south (right) and follow the red 100 trail confidence markers back to the Wilcox trailhead. To me, See Trail on page 8 7

8 Trail continued from page 7 the Whistler Canyon Road and 100 trail are not as interesting - nor exciting - as the Wild Horse Spring trail portion of the loop, but unless you retrace your route back to the trailhead, that is the only way back short of riding down the 3525 road. This loop ride is a great conditioning ride - about 11 miles long, not too tough but with enough challenges to make it fun for both rider and mount. There is stock water along the route in the spring and early summer, but not much - if any - after about the 4th of July. Although the Wild Horse Spring loop starts and ends above 4000 feet, it is mostly sited on westerly aspects so it opens relatively early in the year. You can check with the Tonasket Ranger District ( ) regarding springtime road access to the trailhead. There is ample parking at the trailhead for about 5 or 7 rigs with trailers. This is an excellent training route for working with New turnpike on the Wild Horse Spring trail reroute. Thank you, USFS and PNTA Performance Crew. young or inexperienced saddle or pack stock - or just getting your older, more experienced stock tuned up for the season. The only caution is to be alert for dogs in the first 1/2 mile as you are close to private property. You may also encounter mountain bikes on the Whistler Canyon road. Keep your cool with the dogs and tip your hat to the bikers. Enjoy the views and have a great ride! MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW OVC will be celebrating National Trails Day with a two day work party and campout at Whistler Canyon trailhead on June 1st and 2nd. Save the dates! Smith Lake in the eastern Pasayten Wilderness looking northeast towards Goodenough Peak (just barely visible in the background). There are several nice camping spots along the western shore of the lake (on the left in the photo), but not much grazing. Remember to tie or highline your stock at least 200 feet from the lake and Leave No Trace. The trail from Horseshoe Pass to Smith Lake is easy to follow, but in early summer can be soft and muddy. 8

9 OVC 2013 Wilderness Pack Trip Trygve Culp The past two years the OVC wilderness pack trip has been a three day affair into a base camp at Horseshoe Basin in the eastern Pasayten. This year s trip will be a moving camp visiting and staying at different locations within the wilderness. As currently envisioned, the trip will start from the Middle Fork trailhead at 9:00 AM on August 28th. We will camp the night of the 28th in the vicinity of Dome Camp west of Horseshoe Basin. On the 29th we will move to Apex Pass; hopefully, there will be an opportunity to explore Tungsten Mine or fish at Tungsten Lake. On the 30th of August we will move on over to the Spanish Camp/ Cathedral Lakes area for two nights. From that location, folks will have an opportunity to rest and recuperate, day-ride to the top of Amphitheater Mountain; fish or swim in the Cathedral Lakes or Remmel Lake or dayride down to the Ashnola River. On the 1st of September, we will ride down the Chewauk River and camp our last night at the horse pasture below Basin Creek or at the Fire Creek shelter. On Labor Day, September 2nd, we will return to the Middle Fork trailhead via the Cathedral Driveway trail and a 5 mile road ride on FS Roads and 39. As late in the season as the trip is scheduled, it is doubtful that the native graze will be sufficient to sustain the horses and mules. Participants will need to be furnishing their animals a supplemental feed such as packer pellets or other processed feed. Don t forget that any supplemental feed must be certified weed seed free. That goes for hay fed at the trailhead, too. A U.S. Forest Service Northwest Forest Pass is not required to park at the Middle Fork trailhead as there are no amenities. Parking right at the trailhead is extremely limited; however, there is overflow parking in a gravel pit approximately 1/4 mile from the trailhead. The trails for this trip are mostly level 2 with some level 3 pitches on the Middle Fork trail and Cathedral Driveway. Since there is approximately 2 miles of paved road riding and numerous rocky sections of trail it is recommended that horses and mules be shod. Well conditioned animals should have no problems with the trip as planned. As in past years, this trip is limited to 30 heartbeats. Five people and nine equines are already signed up ; only 16 heart beats are left. If you plan to go, you will need to contact Trygve Culp or Dave Sunde as soon as possible. There will be more information regarding the pack trip in future issues. To- Don t Forget! The Chapter Sweetheart Potluck and Dessert Auction 6:00 PM February 20th nasket Senior Center 9

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11 Legislative Report Dave Sunde, Legislative Chair The big event this month was the annual BCHW Legislative Day. This year it fell on the same day as the Big Tent Coalition Legislative Day so Olympia was host to any number of outdoor recreation advocates. I think this turned out to be a benefit to all concerned groups. I was able to meet with both our representatives and also our new 7th District senator. We had a good visit with Senator John Smith. He is the person selected from the 3 finalists to serve out Senator Morton s remaining year. We had a pleasant conversation and he is familiar with our organization and promises to do as best he can to support legislation beneficial to the equine community. Both Shelly Short and Joel Kretz (Ed. note: Short and Kretz are our 7th District Representatives) are on our side and have been good advocates for us in the past and will continue to work in our behalf. All three promise to work to see that the NOVA funds are not swept again this year. Probably the most controversial legislation this year will be what has been labeled the Yakima Basin Plan. This is a complicated plan that includes among other actions, the raising of the level of Bumping Lake Dam which will flood the valley clear up to the Deep Creek Campground. Even the environmental community is split down the middle on this one. It boils down to the need for enough water in the Yakima Valley to support both agriculture and economic growth and development. You will probably be hearing much more about this as the session continues. There are dozens of bills, rumors of bills, and s flying around about bills at this time. But before we get our knickers in a knot about a specific bill or bills, we need to wait and see which ones even get assigned to a committee. I ll keep an eye on this and post interim reports as necessary, but for now it is just a waiting game. With this in mind, it was suggested that we move the Legislative day back to the middle of February next year. At that point we would have specific bills to address. People everywhere confuse what they read in newspapers with news. -- A. J. Liebling 11

12 Okanogan Valley Chapter Back Country Horsemen of Washington Calendar of Upcoming Activities February 20, 2013: Potluck Supper and Sweet Heart Dessert Auction - Senior Center in Tonasket, 6:00 PM. No Board meeting this month. March 15, 16 and 17, 2013: BCHW Rendezvous - KVEC, Ellensburg, WA. Register and make reservations NOW. March 20, 2013: Chapter Business Meeting - Caribou Inn in Okanogan; Board meeting at 5:00 PM; Dinner/Social Hour at 6:00 PM; Business Meeting at 7:00 PM. March 30, 2013: Horse Trailering Workshop - Okanogan County Fairgrounds, Okanogan, WA. Time: 9:00 AM. Be My Valentine Happy Valentines Day Okanogan Valley Chapter, BCHW P.O. Box 812 Tonasket, WA