carguy 1 Posted February 11, 2007 It appears that the USFS is in need more volunteers to re-open Corral Canyon. Unfortunatley the days conflict with the Desert Dash. If you do not intend to join us at the Desert Dash 2007, consider volunteering. ****************************************************************** Corral Canyon Update Work is proceeding despite some weather and equipment challenges in the past several weeks. Trails Unlimited is working on replacing the damaged tread on the trails that are scheduled to open first. Conservation camp and contractor crews are working in the area as well. We are nearing completion of the preparations needed to for the first phase of reopening the area. Date for First Phase of Reopening Although we have had to push it back a few weeks from initial estimates, the first phase of re-opening Corral Canyon will be complete in the next several weeks. The plan is to restore public access to the area that was least affected by the Horse Fire on March 1st, 2007. Weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting we are in good shape for reaching that goal. The plan to keep areas that were severely burned closed for erosion control and soil stabilization remains the same. The fence along trail 3 and 3a will be the boundary of the open area. Some sections Need More Work The areas south and west of the fence need more work before they can be used for recreation again. These are the areas where the vegetation was burned almost completely. Without vegetation there is nothing to contain the run-off from storms. Crews will be working in those areas and the installed mitigation measures will need to stay undisturbed to be effective. Recreation access will not be restored to the badly burned areas until the areas can sustain the activity. What Can You Do? Please pass the word that the areas needing more work will open sooner if they remain undisturbed. Until those areas are stabilized the risk of losing large chunks of the routes to slides and erosion is significant. It is far better to let the crews work unhindered and let the ground heal by staying out of the closed area then to have those trails damaged beyond repair. Since a high incidence of trespass into these areas that need work could force closure of the entire Corral Canyon OHV area everyone needs to do what they can to convince users to remain in the open area. The areas undergoing continued rehabilitation work will be closely monitored by Forest Service Law Enforcement and Volunteer OHV Patrols. It will also take proactive off-roaders who won't stand for their recreation areas being damaged and/or closed by the actions of hooligans and careless users.You as an off-roader will determine the future of Corral Canyon. Fortunately the ecosystem in the area rebounds well from fire. We will have the damaged area open as soon as possible and with your help it will sooner than later. Another Volunteer Weekend There will be two more volunteer days the weekend before the opening. The dates will be 2/24/07 and 2/25/07. Plans are to work on projects until lunch time. After lunch all volunteers who want to will be able to take their machines out on the trails to test the new tread. We will meet at Four Corners at 9:00 am both days. A list of projects will be sent out next week. Bring your work gear AND your off-roading gear. Contact me if you have questions otherwise I will look forward to seeing you at Corral Canyon. Richard Tull OHV Program Manager Descanso Ranger District Cleveland National Forest 3348 Alpine Blvd. Alpine, CA 91901 (619) 445 6235 ext 3451 "Reality is an illusion, albeit a very persistent one" Albert Einstein Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mescalero 0 Posted February 13, 2007 Thanks for the info. And yes its too bad he needs more help the same weekend as the Desert Dash. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites