<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />Please don't be flippant about recreational access. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />

I don't blame the Green Party either (who mentioned Nader?) --- and I do blame the people who don't use a real restroom. That said, OHV users have been mounting an aggressive informational/educational program in this area, and working directly with enforcement agencies to gin up a volunteer trail patrol. This closure was instituted without mind to either of these efforts, and without consultation with the Rubicon Oversight Committee (ROC) or the Friends of the Rubicon (FOTR), which have proven to be the most effective ways of managing the trail.

This closure SUCKS because it *bypassed* established channels and went straight to the most restrictive form of management: closure. There were MANY intermediary options available, including the volunteer trail patrol, education efforts, and volunteer cleanups -- but the county and its contractor went straight to area closure.

As for *JUST* 120 days, I couldn't disagree with you more. *ANY* closure is undesirable, especially one that skips every less-restrictive form of management. Closure of any kind, even temporary, begs a follow-up question about re-opening. I am very concerned that the area, once closed, will not be re-opened at the end of the 120 day period. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

This isn't just about people not cleaning up after themselves... there's much more involved. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Randii

Although this area is in the 'forest' their is very little dirt. The only way to deal with human waste is to pack it out. No dirt = no bury. The uneducated and/or lazy people just drop it on the granite, sometimes with toilet paper and drive/walk away.

As Randii says there is more to it than just this but the mis-use of the area is very obvious.

The users of the area will hopefully make this a showcase of what can be done with education and cooperation. Other wise this could be another case of "I remember when . . ."

Steve G

Sorry to get you upset, I just meant that a little time without people abusing the area might be a good thing. I sure hope in about 4-5 months when I plan to go to the Rubicon, that little area will be open again, and CLEANED up. I can't seem to find many offroading areas close to me other than Hollister. The "offroad park" at Prarie City was dissapointing, so I'll be prepping to head to the Rubicon soon.

The green party thing was meanly aimed at the huggers...which I think were right about closing the area. I have had a few friends bring back pics from the Rubicon and had a couple shots of "piles" by the trails. More rules at the Rubicon keep being enforced and thats because of a few people who mess it up for everyone. It's a shame, but I think it has to be done. Best hopes for the area and offroaders <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Just an FYI but not many do the Rubicon in Dec/Jan/Feb/Mar unless it is on cross country skis or snowshoes. Sounds like fun though.

SG

Not a problem, Chris -- I was already upset before your post... the Spider Lake closure just absolutely pisses me off. Nothing personal....

The only potential gain out of this, IMHO, is awareness. There was an emergency cleanup less than a month after the closure, and the resource currently stands closed, today... fully clean, but with no admittance. And again, I'll point to the water samples, which showed no significant amounts of fecal coliform... so IMHO, the closure was poorly conceived, pporly substantiated, and poorly executed.

I just hope recreational access is restored at the end of the 120 days. It wouldn't be a big stretch for them to continue the closure 'for the winter' or continue it pending completion of an environmental assessment.

I hope you enjoy your time on the trail -- and please be prepared to pack out *ALL* of what you pack in... even the unmentionable squishies. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" /> The true challenge up there is education and enforcement -- and instituting more rules, restrictions, or closures lightens the load in some cases, and exponentially increases it in others. IMHO, USFS and Eldo County don't stand a chance of protecting the resources without cooperative volunteers, and their closure strikes close against our well-established working relationship between FOTR/ROC and Forestry and the County.


I'll drink to that! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Randii

Thanks for the info and updates Randii. I helped build and maintain alot of trail while living in the Tahoe area so I also take access issues like this very seriously. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />

There is a book "How to ***** in the Woods: An Environmentally Sound Approach to a Lost Art" (real title) by Kathleen Meyer that discusses these issues of environmental contamination by humans. Due the large increase in backpacker/hiker types fecal contamination has also increased in recreation areas and thus becoming problem. So, perhaps the closure is precautionary to a potentially hazardous situation. We are often closing beaches in the Metro area due to high fecal counts real or potential to minimize water pollution.