MOTHER LODE UNIT MATTERS

                                                                                                  P O  BOX 2088

                         ELK GROVE CA 95759-2088

Backcountry Horsemen of California  

Held in Auburn at Denny's Restaurant on June 22nd.

Present:  Becky Wolk, Melba Leal, Carolyn Gilmore, Kimberly Morse (guest), Vic Delius, Merrilyn Delius, Bill and Claudia Ball, Cordell Van Rees, Carrie Johnen, Donald Hess, and Robert Sinnock.  11 members and 1 guest attended.

The meeting was called to order by President Becky Wolk.  There were no officer reports other than the Public Lands Committee report.

PUBLIC LANDS COMMITTEE  (Chair, Claudia Ball.  Members Bill Ball, Melba Leal and Cordell Van Rees.)

Old Log Corral on Cheese Camp Road

Claudia explained how she had contacted Forest Service (FS) staff at the Pacific Ranger District twice regarding the status of the request form she and Al Kaiser had submitted at a Forest Service Open House.  The request was to include the short access road between Cheese Camp Road and the old log corral near Telles Creek Horse Camp included on the FS's new motorized vehicle map as well as making the log corral area a dispersed camping site.  

As it now stands, the public may camp there and use the log corral for stock.  However, vehicles must stay within one vehicle length from Cheese Camp Road and cannot drive on the access road "loop" in front of the corral.  Claudia and Al feel it is important to get this on the new FS map so the area can be easily used by equestrians as an overflow area for the popular Telles Creek Horse Camp.  

Claudia spoke with the FS's Charis Parker who explained our request will be considered this fall/winter.  Charis knows the area and it is her opinion that there will not be opposition.  If all goes well, the public may be able to use the access road by the 2010 season.

Schneider's Cow Camp

The Public Lands Committee is also concerned about the situation at Schneider's Cow Camp.  Claudia and Melba drive up there approximately two months ago but were unable to make it  due to snow piles across the road.  Another attempt will be made soon.

Claudia also made an initial contact call to the ENF Amador Ranger District, having a lengthy conversation with Roger Ross regarding the lack of reasonable parking at Schneider's Cow Camp off of Hwy. 88 due to the new El Dorado National Forest (ENF) Travel Management Plan.  Schneider's has been a favorite spot for equestrians to horse camp for decades.  The beautiful, flat, hardened surfaced staging area with trees for high lining horses is, of course, "open" for camping but your vehicle and trailer have to be by the road.  The road, which I saw two years ago, is narrow and rutted and not conducive to parking right next to.  

In my discussion with Roger Ross, he advised equestrians to park in the large paved parking

(Minutes, continued from page 1)

lot at Meiss Sno-Park right on Hwy 88 (east of Caples Lake and very close to the border of Toiyabe National Forest; Meiss is on the Pacific Crest Trail.)  While this would work for day rides, he admitted it would not for overnight horse camping for a group.  He also questioned why equestrians would want to camp at Schneider's as he felt there were not that many trails.  

I do not have personal knowledge of the trails there but know John Lewis and family liked to ride from Schneider's and that many equestrians for many, many years have frequented it.  Please let me know if you have knowledge of the area.  We plan in the near future to bring the Schneider's issue up with the Amador Ranger District.

Caples Creek Trail 

Melba spoke about our efforts to find a suitable parking/horse camping area for a group ride for the Caples Creek Trail.  This trail is on the north side of Caples Creek and is said to be very beautiful with virgin timber, the creek, and lush meadows.  The Caples Creek Trailhead is at Fitch Rantz Bridge on Silverfork Road, which starts as a Hwy. 50 exit at Kyburz and continues through ENF and then connects to Mormon Emigrant Trail (Iron Mountain Road).  The FS's new Travel Management Plan has resulted in very limited parking at the trailhead, especially for trucks and horse trailers and would make a group ride from there impossible.

At the suggestion of the FS, Melba and Claudia investigated the spur roads north and south of the trailhead.  While the spurs would be acceptable for campers and possibly OHV users, both of those two spur roads would be impossible for horse trailers.  Melba shared pictures she took of the very bad roads.  We also investigated the other spur roads in the area with no better results.  

We received a tip from a camper at Two Sentinels Campground on Hwy. 88 about the Negro Canyon/Flat and Hay Flat area of ENF off of FS Road 71 - Packsaddle Road, which goes east from the Fitch Rantz Bridge/Silverfork area and proceeds to Hwy. 50 at 42 Mile exit near Strawberry.  We found the area mentioned to be just a bit north of the Caples Creek Trail.  The Negro Canyon/Flat area is accessible to the public on a Level 2 road identified as 10N14.  

We found an old logging area, 10N14D, that would work very well for horse camping/parking.  However, during our calls to the FS in the Placerville Ranger District we were told the logging area is not on the new map so it would be the same problem with parking vehicles.  A meeting there is planned with the FS.

Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming

Cordell Van Rees related that while hunting recently in Wyoming he was made aware of the plight of professional packers.  The Shoshone NF staff had planned to require packers to obtain a new permit every time they left the trailhead.  The packers comprise a large economic base and were able to stop this over-regulation.

NEW BUSINESS

May Trail Ride

Becky reported on Mother Lode's May 23rd trail ride at Folsom Lake SRA, Granite Bay to Negro Bar and back.  Becky and Carrie Johnen attended the ride with Becky as trail boss.  They went through the new roadwork under the bridge, which is not designed for equestrians, but for cyclists.  They did encounter cyclists but all went well and they felt it was very good training for the horses.  Both Becky and Carrie enjoyed the ride.

June Trail Ride  

Don Hess was to email members to see if there would be interest in the June 27th day ride at Sly Park.

Telles Creek Workday   

Al Kaiser is planning the annual Telles Creek work party for July 10, 11 and 12.  The campfire

(Minutes, continued from page 2)

bar-b-que/potluck on Saturday evening, the 11th will take the place of a July meeting.

Private Recreation Area near Donner Summit on Hwy. 80.  

Robert Sinnock spoke about the area he is developing for cyclists and equestrians.  It will offer accessible camping areas.  He also explained the difficulty of obtaining the necessary permits.

Mother Lode E-Mail Listing.  Cordell Van Rees requesting this listing appear in the newletter.

Mother Lode's next regular meeting will be held August 24th in Plymouth at the Colima d'Oro Mexican Restaurant on Hwy. 49.  Come at 6-6:30 to order and eat.  Meeting will start at 7:00 pm.

Claudia Ball, Secretary

                           ADVERTISING RATE

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Ads should be received by the 8^th of the month.  You may e-mail to Corky Layne at corkylayne@sbcglobal.net or send to her at 86 Millet Lane, Oroville CA 95966-8810.  Members are entitled to one free non-business ad per year.  Call Corky if you wish to Fax your ad, so she can turn on the machine.  Checks should be made out and sent to Mother Lode Unit,

 P O Box 2088, Elk Grove CA 95759-2088

GRANITE BAY RIDE, May 30, 2009

By Carrie Johnen

Unseasonably pleasant weather found two lucky riders embarking on a marvelous ride down to Folsom (Negro Bar) and back. Becky rode her incredibly steady Knight and Carrie was on her youthful- minded Zak.  The trail passes along the shore of Folsom Lake and through old growth olive orchards. Along the way, we encountered wavy water, tunnels, traffic, and cyclists along the way, getting to meet many pleasant, considerate users of the trail.

Knight steadily handled all encounters and soon Zak was thinking of Knight as his “knight in shining armor”. By the end of the ride, he was handling zippy riders, among other horsy challenges with nonchalance. All we can say is “missed ya” and see you next time. (Check the website for the next time and place.)

ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FOR YOU AND YOUR HORSE

By Corky Layne

I just found out about USRider insurance.  It is designed for you and your horses, but it covers you no matter what vehicle you are traveling in—even if you are not driving.  $119 a year.

I had no idea something this useful for us existed.  I checked out the website at www.usrider.org and found that it provides horse trailer service and towing, emergency trip interruption veterinary service, emergency stabling locator service, emergency farrier referral service, flat tire service on dual wheels and other benefits in addition to locksmith, battery, and other services normally provided by roadside assistance.  It is administered by the Motor Club of America, which has been around for about 90 years.  Check it out!  I only covered the highlights!!

"Trainer wins Extreme Mustang Makeover in tie-breaker"

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsbytes/

Santa Maria horse trainer Katherine Cumberland and her mustang, Wendy, took top honors in the Western States Extreme Mustang Makeover competition at Horse Expo in Sacramento. The pair narrowly edged out California trainer Joel Sheridan and his mount, Lilly Bet, in a 90-second "mustang smackdown," held after the two trainers tied in the competition of the top 11 trainer-mustang contestants.

All 22 horses were adopted, with Cumberland's Wendy commanding the top bid of $4,000.

                                        From Ron Akers

2 cans of apple pie filling

2 Tbs of cinnamon

½ cup whole pecans

1 pkg of spice cake mix

½ cup of caramel ice cream topping

1 cube of butter, cut into 1 inch slices

Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream topping (optional)

Use a 10-inch Dutch oven, spray with a non-stick spray.  Pour in the cans of apple pie filling.

Stir in the cinnamon with the apples and layer the top of the apples with pecans.  Cover with the cake mix (do not stir).  Lay the slices of butter over the cake mix in a checker-board pattern

Cover and cook for l hour at 350 degrees (15 briquettes on the top and 9 briquettes under the bottom of the Dutch oven).  In the last 5 minutes of cooking generously drizzle the caramel ice cream topping over the cake.

If desired, serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream topping drizzled with more caramel ice cream topping.  Serves 6 – 8 adults.

FIELD TRIP MEETING WITH FOREST SERVICE, July 7, 2009

By Melba Leal

This field trip had 16 people from various groups show up: Sacramento Horsemen’s Association, Cosumnes Horsemen’s Associa-tion, and the National Pony Express Association. BCHC was represented by Mother Lode Unit members Claudia Ball, Melba Leal, Andy Assereto, Carolyn Gilmore, Randy Hackbarth, Jerry and Barbara Ledbetter, Dan Marus, Cordell Van Rees, and Becky Wolk

This is the follow-up message sent by Melba to District Ranger Duane Nelson of Placerville District:

The purpose of this message is to thank Ron Hancock and Peggy (I apologize for forgetting her last name) for the meeting in the field yesterday, July 7 2009.  It is recognized they have very busy work schedules and the time spent on the ground at Negro Flat and at the old log landing on road 10N14D was very much appreciated. 

The purpose of the meeting in the field was to discuss the use of the entry point of 10N14D as far as the log landing, as a staging area for equestrian use to access Hayflat trail.

Claudia and I had spent three days checking out permissible/recommended roads looking for any suitable areas for parking for a club ride.  The goal was to be able to park and ride the Caples Creek trail or the Hayflat trail. 

Other equestrian organizations wanted to be included when they learned of the field meeting. 

There is no suitable/safe place near the Caples Trail to park and access the trail, especially now that boulders have been placed in the camp grounds.  We discussed with Ron that 1014D appears to be the safest area for parking for an equestrian group, even more so than Negro Flat.  The road beyond 1014D to Negro Flat gets worse for trailer hauling and that was the reasoning for the preference of the D entrance.  This at least would be an option to park and access Hay Flat to Caples for those wanting a longer ride. 

We left the field not resolving our concerns for a Backcountry Horsemen’s ride except to utilize Negro Flat parking.  A permit did not seem a favorable approach by Ron because of the work involved and staffing shortages.  Plus a permit does not resolve the overall access issue   Equestrians want to be able to access the trails.

Due to this being a real and not a perceived access issue for the Silver Fork, Caples Creek, Hay Flat area we are requesting

(Field trip, continued from page 4)

another field meeting especially with you, and anyone else appropriate that can work towards making this accessible. 

I look forward to hearing from you with a date we can meet with you.  Phone (530) 622-5205 or apachejam@hughes.net   Many thanks for any consideration in this matter.    

Melba J. Ray Leal~Member – Backcountry Horsemen, California Division National Pony Express Association, El Dorado County Trails Advisory Committee, and Trails Now

OCTOBER 24-25  RIDE -    PT. REYES

Pt. Reyes is one of the most beautiful places I have ridden and I would like to share it with you.  Some of you have ventured there and know what I’m talking about.  The weather should be very pleasant by then, except near the coast where it may get chilly. 

We will be staying at Stewart Horse Camp and can ride out of there.  There are poles for highlining and space for corrals.  Stewart’s has flush toilets and hot showers.  Bring water for yourself as the water there is for horses only.  Bring water and a lunch on the ride, as well as a halter, lead rope and jacket.

Reservations are required and each rig must make their own.  The cost is $17.50 a rider per night  and Amanda takes cash only.  Call her at  415-663-1362 and reserve a place in your name.

I will take you on my favorite trails.  We’ll have a potluck on Saturday evening.

Directions:  Hwy 80 to Vallejo, Hwy 37 to Hwy 101.  Just as you reach 101, there is an exit to Novato Blvd.  Take that, go right and stay on Novato Blvd all the way to the end, which is the Pt Reyes/Petaluma Road.  Turn left.  At the colorful platform bridge stop sign, go straight.  At end of the road, turn right onto Sir Francis Drake Blvd.

Go to Olema and turn left. 

Go several miles down Hwy 1, past the Stewart Ranch.  Maybe a quarter-mile further is the right turn into Stewart Horse Camp.  Park wherever you like.  I am going up on Wednesday, if you’d like to come up earlier.  I usually park at the end of the campground to the right.

We’re going to have a lot of fun!!

Hard work spotlights the character of people:  Some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.  Sam Ewing

HOW OLD ARE YOUR TIRES?

Automotivemileposts.com

Tires have a shelf life!  After awhile they dry out and become dangerous even though the tread looks new.

The U.S. Department of Transportation requires every tire to have a four-digit date code on the sidewall (on one side only).  Look for a string of numbers and letters that begins with DOT.  The date code is at the end inside an oval.  The first numbers show the number of the week it was manufactured and the last two indicate the year.  For instance 0604 would be the sixth week of 2004.  Tires age more quickly when not used regularly so they have a life of from five to seven years.

Before you buy a tire, check the manufactured date.  It may already be too old to be safe.

(Editor’s note:  I checked the tires on my van, including one purchased in 2008, and they are six years old.)

Book your vacation at www.ytbtravel.com/bchc  and help raise funds for Backcountry Horsemen of California. 

For special, hot travel deals, check the website.       

One hundred percent of the commissions go to BCHC.

   2009 MOTHER LODE UNIT OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE   BOARD__

Officers

President                                Becky Wolk                          (530)  622-0695                                   rwbzbranch@localnet.com

V. President                           Don Hess                               (916)  631-7288                          physdon@aol.com

Secretary                               Claudia Ball                            (530)  626-8589                                   claudia55ball@yahoo.com

Treasurer                               Cheryl Kaiser                         (916)  687-7094                                   chkais@frontiernet.net

State Director                       Julie Hahn                               (209)  274-2651                                   spmule@aol.com 

Alt. Director                          Claudia Ball                            (530)  626-8589                                   claudia55ball@yahoo.com

Editor/Membership              Corky Layne                          (530) 589-6914                                     corkylayne@sbcglobal.net

Webmaster                           Carrie Johnen                         (209) 245-5617                                    cjubilee@comcast.net

Committee Chairs

Education                             Dan Marus                            (916)  663-9343                                   dmarus@gmail.com

Horse Expo                           Julie Hahn (Contacts)         (209)  274-2651                                   spmule@aol.com

                                                Corky Layne (Volunteers)  (530) 589-6914                                   corkylayne@sbcglobal.net

                                                Dan  Marus (Speakers)       (916) 663-9343                                   dmarus@gmail.com

Public Lands                         Claudia Ball                          (530) 626-8589                                   claudia55ball@yahoo.com

                                                Bill Ball                                  (530) 626-8589                                    claudia55ball@yahoo.com

Melba Leal                           (530)  622-5205                                    apachejam@hughes.net

Cordell Van Rees                 (916)  956-4657

Rendezvous                          Julie Hahn (Coordinator)   (209) 274-2651                                   spmule@aol.com                                                                       

                                                Carrie Johnen (Raffle)`      (209) 245-5617                                   cjubilee@comcast.net

Trail Projects                        Al Kaiser                                (916) 687-7094                                 dbldiamond47@frontiernet.net

Board Members                   Bill Ball                                  (530) 626-8589

Peggy Christensen               (916) 933-0694                                   peg@folsomlakemarina.com

Charlene Paoluccio             (209) 245-3072                                    rpce@sbcglobal.net                                  

Billy White                         (530) 626-1053

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

By Corky Layne

The Forest Service is slowly imposing a Travel Management Plan forest by forest across the nation.  Their Travel Management Plan says that you cannot drive off a road further than one car length when in the forest.  For instance, you cannot camp at the popular Schneider’s cow camp anymore.  You can only park along side the road. This is just one example.  This makes it difficult, if not impossible, to camp with horses.

 (Tell Claudia where the trails are at Schneider Cowcamp, because one ranger said he didn’t know why anyone rode there because there weren’t many trails.  She wants to be able to tell him what trails are used.  He doesn’t realize that it is just a beautiful place to ride. She can be reached at (530) 626-8589 or claudia55ball@yahoo.com)

Equestrians are not the only group of users being discriminated against.  The People for Public Access just filed a suit again the El Dorado Forest Service Travel Management Plan because it does not allow their members access to their mining claims.  This group joined with BCHC and 24 others in an earlier appeal, which was summarily dismissed earlier this year. It would help all trail users to support them because we are all losing access to our forests.