American Fork Canyon

[Stephen]

I was at the USA-All board meeting on Tuesday, and there was alot of interesting things going on, the most interesting one for us is the Wasatch-Cache Forest plan. Now if this goes into effect, it will close most of the trails up AF Canyon. Just to let you all know, you have 18 months untill it's supposed to happen. So i would suggest writting your representative and the FS Chief now if you want stuff to stay open.

 

[RockMonkey]

We've been discussing this over on the Jeep-SLC list, and it sounds like the trails that will be closed are all single track and ATV trails, and the Jeep trails will be staying open. I'm not saying you shouldn't call or write about it, but all the roads should be staying open.

 

[Greg]

Yeah, but we need to take a stand before the closures effect us. First, that ATV trails & Single Track will be nixed, then the 4x4 Trails!


Don't allow it to start!! Take a stand now, I'm going to write some letters.....

EZRhino and a few others are brainstorming how we can get an organized fundraiser going. We all must attend & bring anyone who is intrested in Land Access!

 

[Kris K]

I'm going saturday and work on some fence with the forest service at the top of mona pole i'll have to talk to them and see what they say.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Originally posted by Greg
EZRhino and a few others are brainstorming how we can get an organized fundraiser going. We all must attend & bring anyone who is intrested in Land Access!

Working on something as we speak...

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Originally posted by SRN
...Now if this goes into effect, it will close most of the trails up AF Canyon. Just to let you all know, you have 18 months untill it's supposed to happen. ...

What trails were specifically mentioned in the new plan?

I looked at the new plan on the USFS website and it makes no mention of any major trail closures up the canyon, but that is the current plan not one active in 18 months?


Others have told me that it onle effects some single-track trails, not a bigt importence to us 4wheelers but we need to support there cause as much as out own.

Fill me in on the details Steve...

Thanks

 

[Stephen]

From what I gathered at the meeting, it will close most single track, and any trails that cross water, this means the creek and any major tributaries. I would try to get ahold of Brian and have him send you a copy, I'm not sure if he is back from AZ yet. If he is, I'll have him e-mail me a copy and I'll post it up.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Originally posted by SRN
.... If he is, I'll have him e-mail me a copy and I'll post it up.

Email me a copy if you would, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[allterrain]

It took a bit of time, but I finally have an update on the Forest Service
revised travel plan for AF Canyon.
Late last week I met with several people, some of whom want to remain
nameless, and looked at maps of the area.

In a nutshell, full size 4x4s dodged a bullet.
It's our dirt bike brethren who will take a beating if this goes through.
The plan basically guts the core of single track routes (85%) that have been
open for years to dirt bikes, but in a strange logic, keeps all the trails
open to mountain bikes, hikers and horses.
It's kind of like they have it in for dirt bikes, when they are only a
fraction of the problem. Horseman actually cause more erosion and leave
more litter behind according the the FS.

If you look at a trail map of the area, everything between the main road to
Mineral Basin and the Great Western Trail (157) will be closed to motorized
travel. In an early draft, Forest Lake was also closed at the stream and
left off the map, but this has been corrected and was just a "mistake" by
the map department. This huge area they closed should be open and the few
trails they left open are the ones with the conflicts. Access to the GWT
must now be made through a few popular campsites causing a tow rig/trailer
jam that will be incredible among many other user conflicts.

So, the bottom line is this. The FS seems to be starting with the dirt
bikes. This has 2 ramifications for us. First, if they get them banned, we
are not far behind, and 2, the bikes will be forced onto the existing trails
with you and me.

What can you do? I urge each of you to write a check for $24.77 (get it,
2477?) to USA-ALL to appeal the case. They need money to get their attorney
on the job and appeal the decision.

The plan was made without logical reasoning. That aside, if we don't do
something, it will stand anyway. Please step in and do your part.

On a similar note, they just announced that the Ogden Ranger District of the
Wasatch-Cache National has opened the public scoping comment period for
their Travel Plan Update. Comments are due 22 August 2003.

Information is available on the Web at:
http://www.fs.fed.us/wcnf/projects/proposed/ord/travel_plan/

Or individually download documents with the following links;
Scoping Cover Letter (MS Word -- 35kB)
<http://www.fs.fed.us/wcnf/projects/proposed/ord/travel_plan/scoping_ lett
er.doc>
Scoping Document (MS Word -- 79kB)
<http://www.fs.fed.us/wcnf/projects/proposed/ord/travel_plan/scoping.doc>
Curtis Creek Area Map (JPEG -- 363kB)
<http://www.fs.fed.us/wcnf/projects/proposed/ord/travel_plan/curtis.jpg>
Monte Cristo Area Map (JPEG -- 251kB)
<http://www.fs.fed.us/wcnf/projects/proposed/ord/travel_plan/monte.jpg>
South Fork Area Map (JPEG -- 259kB)
<http://www.fs.fed.us/wcnf/projects/proposed/ord/travel_plan/southfork.jpg>
Lewis Peak Area Map and Inspiration Point -- Willard Mountain Area Map (JPEG
-- 268kB)
<http://www.fs.fed.us/wcnf/projects/proposed/ord/travel_plan/lewis.jpg>
Public Grove Area Map (JPEG -- 219kB)
<http://www.fs.fed.us/wcnf/projects/proposed/ord/travel_plan/publicgrove.jpg
>
Willard Area Map (JPEG -- 264kB)
<http://www.fs.fed.us/wcnf/projects/proposed/ord/travel_plan/willard.jpg>

NOTE: All of the maps are also available in Acrobat PDF format, but are
larger -- 1.2MB to 2.3MB. Replace the .jpg extension in the above map links
with .pdf to get the PDF format versions.

We need everyone on this folks. Please spread the word and write the
checks.

Thanks,

Alan