Fordyce Work Day - FD survey and possible work weekend July 25-27, 2008

[XJ_ranger]

Last year, Sierra Chapter donated a lot of money (something like $1500) to Friends of Fordyce (FOF). They have used that money to become an incorporated non-profit.

Here is an E-mail I got from them regarding an up-coming work weekend, and the need for some capable rigs to show the forest service and other interested partys around the trail, and responsible use of public 4x4 lands.

The FOF will be escorting a group of 6 forest service personnel in to the proposed mile 6.25 re-route area for a second look on Friday July 25th. We could use a few more rigs with open seats so if you can make it please let me know. Of course we always welcome friends to come along even if you can not carry an extra person. After looking at that area we are planning on taking a look at our proposed Committee Trail re-route as well. If approved we can start clearing it out Saturday. It's a short re-route and could be done in one day if we get enough people willing to show up on the chance we get the go ahead. There is an excellent chance Joe Chavez will give us the OK. We will post up on the Pirate Board Friday evening with the outcome.

Please let me know if you would like to participate.
In addition to our public relations contact, Joe Chavez we will be taking a:

Botanist
Wildlife Biologist
Archaeologist
Recreation Planner

We will also be taking our new Tahoe Forest Supervisor, Tom Quinn in for a ride.

Take this opportunity to help out and meet Tom and the personnel that are working to keep our access to the Fordyce trail alive.

We will meet at Cisco Grove campground Friday at 10 am.

If you are planning on attending please contact me at [email protected]

We will need to take the following equipment along in case we bet the go ahead to work at the Committee area. Please let me know if you will be bringing any of the needed items and we'll update the list.

3 or 4 large loppers
2 or 3 large pry bars (the 5’+ type)
Tires chains for moving rocks
Shovels
Picks
2 or 3 pruning handsaws
Gloves
Cameras to document

Thanks,

Bret Preble aka Tinman
President
Friends of Fordyce

more information on this here:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=696575

We won't know if it's a whole weekend until Joe Chavez gives us the ok on Friday to do the committee re-route so it's going to be kind of be prepared to work on Saturday. We're bringing our stuff and are staying the whole weekend in any case. We'll just have some fun if we can't so any work Saturday. Tools needed are things for cutting light brush and maybe some tire chains for moving rocks if you have them. We're not to the point yet where we can supply a BBQ but I'm hoping we can have water at least.

Brett also updated me a little bit as to FOF and their goals, and why they arent the most public of the 'Friends of' groups -

Unlike some of the other "friends" groups we believe in getting some work done and not rushing into the publicity side of things before we're ready. We never want to be really high profile but will work to give our volunteers some perks like free food after the work. We're just not there yet. We have faith that our volunteers think the work is most important and will work even if we aren't giving them stuff. At least to start.

 

[XJ_ranger]

My rig is currently 'down' so I cant make the Friday portion of the trip, but if the green light is given for Saturday, I'm planning on taking the tow rig, full of tools up to help with the committee trail re-route...

 

[Starboard D]

Well, at least now we know why we didn't run into you on the Rubicon this past weekend!!

Great pics and looks like a lot of fun.

 

[luvdaxj]

Well, at least now we know why we didn't run into you on the Rubicon this past weekend!!

Great pics and looks like a lot of fun.

Pssssst, wrong thread :roll:

 

[luvdaxj]

Opie, if I'm able to get saturday off from work would you be willing to drive me in to the work area?
My Jeep is out of commission for a while so I won't be able to take it on the trail, but I can get myself to the trailhead in my car.



Jeremy

 

[XJ_ranger]

Opie, if I'm able to get saturday off from work would you be willing to drive me in to the work area?
My Jeep is out of commission for a while so I won't be able to take it on the trail, but I can get myself to the trailhead in my car.



Jeremy

sure thing! you have my number - as this gets closer, we can figure out more logisitcs

 

[XJ_ranger]

Its a go!

Im headed up the hill right now!:wave1:

 

[XJ_ranger]

It was a successful day! I forgot my camera, but we did get the Committee trail re-routed pretty much from the river to 75% of the way to fordyce lake.

Lots of rock stacking, winching rocks, chainsawing small tree's and the shrub brush.

The Committee Trail Re-Route trail is passable, but needs a little more work before its permanent - so if anyone heads up there, take it easy...


There should be some pictures in the Pirate thread eventually...

 

[seymouj]

Thanks to everyone who gave their time to work on this trail!