I understand that Mason Valley Truck Trail has been closed since 2003. I am troubled by this and would like to see it opened. I have made several phone calls and I have been unsuccessful in finding the responsible agency for closing the gate at the top where it connects with CA-79. I have visually inspected the locks on the gate and there are of course multiple agencies locks on the gate.

I have spoke to Julian Fire Dept, Cleveland National Forest (Descanso Office) and nobody is sure why.

Does anyone know who is responsible for the gate having been locked for so long?

Here is a picture of the gate:

Wildcat Energy Farms is proposing to place a solar facility right next to the northeast side of Ocotillo Wells. The project would start by the park along Highway S22 and go east. A larger portion would be east of Highway 86. The proposal intends to place 1,964,000 panels over 5,900 acres.

For the project to begin, Imperial County Supervisors would need to approve of a zoning change. There is a comment period open for the project and you can let the Imperial County Planning Department know how you feel about it. Important arguments against the project are about visual resources and zoning. Many people don't want the visual character of the area to change. The area in question is also not zoned for this kind of development.

We do not have strong feelings about the project being east of Highway 86, but don't want any solar on the west side of Highway 86. You can read about the project here. You can send comments to davidblack@co.imperial.ca.us and planning@co.imperial.ca.us.

The comment period ends December 23! You can ask the county and project proponents to respect the current zoning and visual character of the desert west of Highway 86.

Thank you,

Ed Stovin, President

San Diego Off Road Coalition

More info here: https://www.sdparks.org/publicmeetings/

I plan on zooming in to voice my support, please join me!

Sequoia Trails Newsletter May 2023

Sequoia National Forest Reopens Some Roads and Trails

Sequoia Forest Supervisor Teresa Benson closed the majority of the Sequoia National Forest two months ago to prevent rut damage by driving on saturated roads and trails. As the lower Forest dries out she has chosen not renew that Forest wide closure which expired on 4/29/23. 

However, many roads and trails are still closed under the winter closure order 0513-23-01 which remains in effect until June 15, 2023. Higher areas are still under many feet of snow from record snowfall such as Sherman Pass, Piutes, Greenhorn and Breckenridge. You can see the winter closure HERE.

Keep in mind that just because a route is open does not mean it should be ridden if the trail has sections that are too wet.
We urge riders to turn around if they encounter wet trails or snow in order to prevent damaging your trails. Please ride with respect and don’t make ruts. 

Next Step to Stop PCT Land Grab and More

For several months now Stewards of the Sequoia and California Four Wheel Drive Association have teamed up to urge legislators to begin oversight regarding the Sequoia Forest Service refusing to resolve objections to the Sequoia Forest Plan. We are pleased that last week Congressman McCarthy and McClintock started taking action. 

The Forest Service is violating their own regulations by including a trail specific one mile wide PCT management area that would harm the historic world class Piute motorized trail system. The Forest Service is also violating their own policy by refusing to match the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum to the existing motorized trails in the area. Oversight by legislators could require the Forest Service to resolve these objections and create a Sequoia Forest Plan that will not harm motorized and other recreation. 

Forest Access Above Porterville Limited This Summer 

The Forest Service has just announced- those planning a visit to the Sequoia National Forest above Porterville should first plan their route, as many roads were heavily damaged from abundant precipitation over the winter. Highway 190 sustained major damage in several locations, making it impassible between Springville and Ponderosa. Caltrans is working on repairs in anticipation of having it open from Springville to Camp Nelson by late summer and from Camp Nelson to Ponderosa before next winter sets in. 

Went to the SDORC monthly meeting last night. One other new SDAR member showed up, Asher_Petkevich and he even joined SDORC....thanks for showing up and supporting SDORC !

I always enjoy their meetings because they talk about many of the issues we are facing in the off-road community having to do with our public lands. 

Some issues discussed were some new bills which will be detrimental to us that SDORC will oppose.

Oceano Sand Dunes issues and the ongoing battle up there.

Local events and desert cleanups happening soon.

There were a couple of guys there from our local representatives offices who support our cause to keep public lands open.

And many other items were discussed. 

https://sdorc.org/

Please consider joining them as a member as it takes money to fight lawsuits filed by environmental groups trying to close down lands, hire a lobbyist on our behalf, travel to important meetings and lobby days, etc. People who put in all their hard work can't afford to do it without being reimbursed for their expenses. 

https://sdorc.org/

SDORC is hosting a cleanup at Painted Gorge this Saturday just north east of the town of Ocotillo by Highway 8.  The area is open to both shooting and off road vehicles.  To get there, take Painted Gorge Road north about 3 miles from Evan Hewes Highway.  Look for the large dumpster.

More info at NCY (North County Yamaha)

https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/cleveland/home

https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2001224/510

Ride while you can...carrying as many Kug stickers as you can...

BLM SEEKING PUBLIC COMMENT ON UPGRADES AT MCCAIN VALLEY CAMPGROUNDS

Please take a few seconds to send a copy and paste email to the planning commission that the existing trails need to remain open for all uses and the PCT doesn't need a 1 mile buffer of sterility from non-hiker noises. 

Your help is needed to prevent the closure of about 30 miles of Sequoia National Forest motorized trails. We are told by Forest Staff if they hear from thousands of people on a topic they will take it very seriously.

So here is your chance to object to their proposals to close 30 miles of trails, restrict recreation and make it harder to do future trail projects. Comments must be submitted before midnight this Thursday 9/16

Please take action now. Feel free to share this with your email list or on your Facebook page

Chris Horgan
Executive Director
Stewards of the Sequoia

CLICK HERE to send an email to the Forest Service and tell them how you want to see your Sequoia National Forest public lands managed for recreation.

You can COPY AND PASTE all the below sample text into your email or draft your own comment, but they need to hear from lots of people now who don't want to see any trails closed.

PLEASE BE POLITE / SAMPLE TEXT BELOW

I want to see the Sequoia Forest Plan keep all existing multiple use trails open and make it a priority to add new trails to meet increasing demand and a growing population, especially for motorized and mountain bike trails.

I oppose the expansion of a PCT Corridor of up to one mile. This will needlessly close or restrict perhaps 30 miles of motorized mechanized recreation trails which are under consideration for designation.

I want the Forest Plan to require the Pacific Crest Trail to be a good neighbor to other forms of recreation and to coexist in harmony with other forms of recreation, as it is required to do under the 1982 PCT Comprehensive Management Plan and to continue to be a multiple use experience. I oppose any Pacific Crest Trail based restrictions on other forms of recreation.

I do not want the Forest Plan to recommend any more multiple use lands to be designated as Wilderness. We need to keep all our multiple use lands were 98% of the public recreate.

I do not want the Forest Plan to include new Recreation Management Areas. This will only make it harder and more costly to do future trail projects. The existing Recreation Opportunity Spectrum is working fine, although the 42,823 acre loss of Semi Primitive Motorized lands in Kiavah needs to be addressed by creating that amount of motorized lands in the Forest Plan and re balance the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum.