Soggy trails have been the rule
so far this year...but for this weekend, unless there is yet more rain,
the Wet Weather Trail is open. Please, Please--ride only on the WWT or
next time there are wet conditions, Forester John Byrd will have to
close all the trails to try to prevent damage to the dirt trails.
There are maps in the campgrounds and on our blog that show the
WWT---but then its not too hard---its the graveled trail (except w
here it runs along the main highway which is muddy grass a this point). See the map and the rules on a separate page of this BlogSpot.
Those people riding the trails when they are closed (and some other
riders) are leaving behind their beer cans--and that means work for
other people-- all of us that volunteer and pick them up! We don't
pick them up because of the few cents they bring to recycle but to
return the appearance of the trails to their natural beauty. None of us
want to ride through trash. So--practice and preach "Carry it in,
carry it out!" .
The DNR Technician can not be there all the time
to monitor where people are riding--we can not just leave it to DNR.
We as the users of these trails must respect the rules and protect the
resources and speak out to and about those who do not, as peer pressure
is important in getting cooperation on following the rules. Of course,
a few tickets costing $127.50 given to people who have repeatedly
broken the rules is a big help!
Right now, it looks like FOS will
not hold its group work day until July 11, the next regularly scheduled
date. However, that does not mean nothing has been done. In the
campgrounds, DNR Technician Cody Brothersen, working on his own time as a
volunteer, Chelsie Rohrs and two other FOS Volunteers worked on
replacing weak hitching post rails this past week. Cody has been very
dedicated to improving the appearance and condition of the campgrounds.
Right now, FOS is seeking funding support to replace the information
kiosks at the Lick Creek campgrounds as well as those at Bitternut and
White Oak non-equestrian campgrounds. The current ones are over twenty
years old, deteriorated and some were damaged in the vandalism. Its
time for some kiosks that can provide a reliable information source for
campers. Cody has in fact already begun construction of the ones in
White Oak and Bitternut. In addition, when there was a day or two of
drier weather, John Byrd and crew began clearing/widening the 2.2 miles
he plans to add to the WWT this summer---if it ever gets to be dry
enough to haul and spread rock!
Riders have reported that what we can see of
the dirt trails is badly overgrown (did you notice how vigorously the multi-flora have been growing and blooming everywhere?) with the wet conditions,
unable to mow and clear, and less riding on them. We will be busy
July11th---hope the weather is good that day.
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