High Lakes in Trouble!!!

[wheelinyotagirl]

I saw this thread on Pirate and thought that those of you from the butte county area who go up to the high lakes would want to read about it.  They are thinking of closing it down and have already closed down parts.  There is a Comment Form Workshop Meeting WEDNESDAY 25TH  at Round Table Pizza in Paradise next to safeway on Clark. Show up between 6:30-9p.m.  Tell everyone!!!!!!!  Here is the link to read more about whats going on...

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=593385

[gtoyonrocks]

Thanks for the info.

[BigMike]

Dang, wish I lived in Paradise. I will contact my friends over there via phone

Thanks

[wheelinyotagirl]

So whose gonna be there?    Anyone?

[Goose]

Im gonna try to make it.. i swamped with work right now, but i still got an hour to try to make it there

[wheelinyotagirl]

  I hope theres gonna be some people showing up for this thing.  The high lakes is pretty much all we've got up here and if it closes down there is going to be a lot of  upset people.  We need as much support and help as we can get.   

[lilbuddy]

I hope theres gonna be some people showing up for this thing.  The high lakes is pretty much all we've got up here and if it closes down there is going to be a lot of  upset people.  We need as much support and help as we can get.   

So i couldnt make it due to not seeing this. i knew the highlakes were goin downhill but didnt know that there were meetings and stuff....

hopefully it turns out alright. ive never been on the spot that they are closing and i heard its some pretty nasty stuff. i wish i could have gone on that part of the trail. last time i was there was on quads about 10 years ago (8 years old) and there isnt really any way i remember how nasty that part of the trail was.

[wheelinyotagirl]

For those of you who couldnt attend the meeting I will be posting the forms to fill out and giving instructions on how to fill them out correctly and where to send them in.  It was sort of complicated and I'm working on finding out a little more before I try to explain it myself.  Keep checking back and I will try to post up the forms, maps and instructions tomorrow.  They have to be filled out and turned in by August 1st.

[Goose]

Hurry hurry dude, its almost August!

[wheelinyotagirl]

Ok,so far this is what i've got...Here are the links to the form, and maps.  You need adobe acrobat 6 or 7 to view them.  If you cant open them I will be scanning my copies later today.

Discussion Draft comment form
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lassen/projects/NEPA_projects/route/maps/web_discussion_draft/pdfs/DiscussionDraftCommentForm_7_11_2007.pdf

Storrie NW Map
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lassen/projects/NEPA_projects/route/maps/quarter_quads/OHV_Map_Series_Storrie%20NW.pdf

Kimshew Point NE Map
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lassen/projects/NEPA_projects/route/maps/quarter_quads/OHV_Map_Series_Kimshew%20Point%20NE.pdf

Belden SW map
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lassen/projects/NEPA_projects/route/maps/quarter_quads/OHV_Map_Series_Belden%20SW.pdf




Now, onto the complicated part...for each map there are a certain amount of trails.  Each trail that you feel should be open you need to fill out a form.  So each trail needs its own individual form.  Attach the completed forms to a copy of the map with those trails.   The links to the maps dont show the trails  very well and your supposed to mark off the routes that are listed below in the form info. section.  I will be posting pre highlighted maps later today for those of you who cant read the maps in the links or dont know the area perfect anough to mark them.

Listed as follows is the info. needed to fill out the forms for maps.

Here is the info. for the Storrie NW map

Trail/route 1...

Quarter Quad name: Storrie NW
Section#:31,5,6,7,17
Unclassified Route #: 6E14

Trail/route 2...

Quarter Quad name: Storrie NW
Section#: 31,5,6,7,8,18
Unclassified route #:6E16

Trail/route 3...

Quarter Quad name: Storrie NW
Section #: 31
Unclassified route #: 6E12


Here is the info for the Kimshew point NE map

Trail/route 1...

Quarter quad name:Kimshew Point NE
Section #: 27
Unclassified route #: UC2701

trail/route 2...

quarter quad name: Kimshew point NE
Section #:34, 3, 11
unclassified route #:TR5E19

Here is the info. for the Belden SW map

Trail/route 1...

Quarter quad name: Belden SW
Section#: 20
Unclassified route #: UC2901


There is another line on the form your supposed to fill out that is labeled "Forest service system road number"  and I havent been able to locate any of the numbers nor were they discussed at the meeting.  I'm working on it though. 

The next thing to fill out on the form is your own comments...They want to know the reasons for recommending the modification to the trail.  Please fill this out as appropriatly as possible.  I'm also attaching this link to the lassen national forest webpage that discusses last years fall review and what they had to say about the comments made before.  Please read up on what they are wanting to know and whats going on before you just fill out these forms and think that saying whatever is going to help.

Lassen National Forest Website
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lassen/projects/NEPA_projects/route/


Last but not least, mail your forms and attached maps to...

Lassen National Forest
Attention: Allen Nosler
2550 Riverside Drive
Susanville, CA 96130
(530)252-6637

These must be post marked by August 1st, 2007!!!!

If you have any questions or cant for some reason open the attached files send me a PM and I'll do what I can to help you and answer your questions.

[wheelinyotagirl]

Here are pictures of the highlighted maps.  These maps show the trails corresponding to the info. I listed in my previous post.  I labeled each highlighted trail with its appropriate route #.  I hope this helps.  Again, if you have any questions or need any help just send me a pm.  Thanks for your support!

[Goose]

So I played with Google Earth a bit to see if i could give you guys a better picture of the Storrie NW map since im familiar with some of the area around there and lower rock creek.
Heres two pics, the first one with the OHV map overlayed to give you an idea of what your lookin at...
The second i drew in the trails as best i could...
Its still hard to see whats what, but i thought it might help somebody get a better picture... 

Ill try to do some more of the other spots...
lemme know what you guys think..   

[Goose]

haha, well it looks like you beat me to it.. and your maps show the trails better than mine do...
oh well

[wheelinyotagirl]

Thank you so much for adding the google map...Now people kind of know where everything is at and not just a bunch of numbers on a pretty general, not so well visible map.  Thanks for the help.

[Goose]

No problem, ill try to make some more when i get back from town

[wheelinyotagirl]

Please keep in mind that the only maps that are supposed to be sent in with your forms are the ones that I have posted.  The maps posted by goose are only to help read and understand the others.  Please dont mix up the maps and send in the wrong ones.

[wheelinyotagirl]

Here is a little more info. to help clarrify the trails.  I've also attached a map showing what trails are already closed temporarly due to the rout designation program.  This shows what we will be losing if we don't pitch in our comments.  Get those comments in people (by August 1st) and take a stand....DONT LET OUR TRAILS CLOSE!

Chips Lake upper campsite => Belden SW, Section 20, Road # UC2901
(250620UC05 on some maps, bottom of map)

Bear Lake campsite => Kimshew Point NE, Section 27, Road # UC2701

Bear Lake to Cow Camp Exit => Kimshew Point NE, Section 34 & 3 & 11 Road #TR5E19

Saddle Lake Access => Storrie NW, Section 31, Road # 6E12

Grassy Lake Exit.... Left Leg, => Storrie NW, Section 31 & 6 & 5, Road #6E14

Grassy Lake Exit.... Right leg, Reese Flat=> Storrie NW, section 31 & 6 & 5 & 8, Road # 6E16

[wheelinyotagirl]

Just giving a little update on whats going on...

Below is a letter from District Ranger Al Vazquez to (then) Forest
Supervisor Laurie Tippin, which caused her to sign the Temporary Forest
Order. This action closed three routes in the High Lakes, causing all loops,
and dispersed camping outside of the 4 lakes (Spring Valley, Long, Campbell,
and Morris) off-limits.

Getting these reasons out may help us understand how we got the closures,
and what we may have to do to get them removed with mitigation, after
we/they are able to actually see the "resource damage".

Page1
http://www.friendsofhighlakes.com/High_Lakes_Closure_Recommendations_page_1.jpg


Page2
http://www.friendsofhighlakes.com/High_Lakes_Closure_Recommendations_page_2.jpg


You can also visit http://www.friendsofhighlakes.com and join there mailing list to get updates on how things are going.  They send out letters and announcments to your email once you've joined that keep you up to date.

[wheelinyotagirl]

 

September 29, 2007 is Public Lands Day, in which many people participate in
doing things to improve the Public Lands they use.

    http://www.publiclandsday.org/

Pismo Beach / Oceano Dunes, Friends of The Rubicon, and many other areas are
participating.

Since we are taking hits left and right over the condition of some of the
camp sites, and fire rings in the High Lakes area a few of us are going to
go with vehicles and trailers and get as much garbage out as we can.

The friends of the highlakes guys will seek and GET us some publicity for doing so, and  its great points with Lassen
N.F. and a feel good warmth that we've taken care of the place we love.

Ken,  will be going with his Bantam trailer, and is inviting all of you to join him and those already saying they want to help. We could sure use some more
trailers and rigs to tow them as well.  From some of the pictures floating
around, there may be a LOT of garbage found. 

THIS IS NOT A PARTY AND ITS NOT AN EVENT TO JUST GO UP AND SCREW OFF!  Show that you care and pitch in to help keep our area clean

It is a one day event, Saturday, September 29,  but you are more than
welcome to bring your families, and friends, and stay as long as you care to.

There will be an information table at Spring Valley so we can get folks
spread out and get all of the camps and fire rings covered. We'll be there
starting at 9:00 am Saturday September 29.

If you haven't already joined the friends of the highlakes...do that...and then if you could drop an email to [email protected]  and confirm
your participation, it would be greatly appreciated.

[wheelinyotagirl]

 

Alright...Whose gonna be there tomorrow for the Clean-Up? 

If you are going... Thank you and Please be sure to stay on the Trail and stay on task.  Your efforts are a big help not only for the land but for the Friends of the High Lakes organization.  For every hour thats put into trail clean up signed on the roster the hours worked count towards matching a grant to get funding for future trail clean up, new signs, maintenance,  and getting the word out there and letting people know that our trails are in danger of being shut down.  So all help is appreciated.  Just remember THIS IS NOT A PARTY this is a great opportunity to give a helping hand to keep our backyard a nice place!  Thanks!