4th Annual Fordyce Trail Clean-up
by Bret Preble
WE LOVE THIS TRAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can we state it any clearer?
| We think not! Each year, with the help of many dedicated volunteers, countless hours, days, and months are spent in the preparation and execution of this labor of love. Perhaps labor isn't the correct word, as it never seems like work. Instead, we have a ton of fun and are richly rewarded for the effort we expend in this important event. It's easy to be discouraged during the year as we see resource damage, litter, abandon vehicles, and more occur on Fordyce but in the end we drive away knowing we not only have helped to save and preserve this great natural resource but have renewed old friendships and forged new ones during the process. Four Dice, Webilt, the Forest Service, countless others, and our good friends at Cisco Grove Campground all pull together to make this annual gathering a success. This year was no different and even Mother Nature kicked in with a beautiful day to work under clear blue skies. A small window of opportunity presented itself and we took full advantage, kicking butt and taking names as we cleaned, repaired, and even had time for some recreational wheelin' in the process. This year, as in years past, several of our members and volunteers even took on the role of Good Samaritan and rescued some poor unfortunate souls that had broken down on the trail. Not being a part of the clean-up didn't exempt them from our help. Good work guys. | |||||
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Keep off of the plateau area at the top of Winch Hill 1!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!
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| Our next two groups, while separated on the trail, battled a common
foe. Mud holes! Woody and his group, at approximately mile 6.25, did their
best to divert traffic from the deepest part of the evil bog. This is
a depressed area of the trail and it is going to require future attention
to keep it under control but we are up to the task! At mile 9.25, Radar's
posse (Yes, he really does look like Radar) did a most excellent job of
blockading a deep off trail hole and barring travel into a sensitive creek
bed. Radar quickly learned that many trees can weight more than a Suzuki
Samurai when his rig, tied off for safety while winching, became suspended
in mid air when a strain was put on the cable. Somehow, he and his crew
massaged the monster tree into place and even manage to avoid pulling
his tiny Sami in two! With the work crews back in camp (exception being the good Samaritans previously mentioned) the reward part of the day could begin. Chili, Dogs, Salad, and plenty of Rock Star energy drink to go around (there may have even been an adult beverage or two) preceded the now customary Raffle. Plenty of great gifts were given out. Please support our vendors. These generous companies help us in our effort to keep Fordyce open for all to use and enjoy. For the first time ever we included a kid's raffle and by the smiles on our young friend's faces we can only assume it was a success. No doubt it will return at next year's clean-up. As we headed back to camp for our well deserved campfire celebration we made sure to bring dinner and prizes for our 4x4 brothers still out on the trail helping drag weary travelers and broken rigs off the trail. I can say with confidence that they were pleasantly surprised at the warm meal and thank you gift bestowed upon them when they, at last, returned. As the evening progressed the tall tales of deeds done grew more and more outrageous until one by one, everyone retired to a well deserved rest. Our most grateful thanks to Mary Furney and Joe Chavez of the U.S. Forest Service. Without their cooperation and support there is no way we could be successful in this undertaking. Every year we fight new battles for continued access to our public lands and without dedicated public servants such as Joe and Mary we could not prevail. Remember, it is up to each and every one of you to not only protect our right to access but to educate others when the opportunity arises. Get involved! |
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