FS RULE CHANGE IS WELCOME NEWS FOR OHV RECREATION

 "Logging-type" FS Road Designated for Non-Street Legal OHVs

Mendocino National Forest

QWR wants to commend the agency for their current effort to increase the efficiency of environmental analysis to help with implementation of its core mission to enhance forest health and encourage access to sustainable outdoor activities including casual use and permitted events for OHV recreation.

Current Revisions to NEPA Procedures (36 CFR 220) – Comments Due Aug, 12, 2019

https://www.fs.fed.us/emc/nepa/revisions/index.shtml

QWR has long believed in, and advocated for, the increased use of categorical exclusions (CEs) for various OHV related projects and events especially at destination OHV areas where motorized use is well established and managed.  

Increasing the use of CEs for trail reroutes, designating new OHV trails/roads, authorizing permitted events such as enduros in areas where the agency has a designated route network is a smart way to reduce red-tape, cost, and increase public access to high quality outdoor recreation.

These proposals could also help create new opportunities for SxS recreation by streamlining the agency decision-making process so they could designate more of their street legal-only “logging-type” roads to routes that can be used by non-street legal SxSs.

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Trail Gold in Lake Tahoe Area

Recreationists in SxS Enjoy Alpine Trail Touring

QWR had the privilege to recently review some of the backcountry touring routes in the Genoa Peak area on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU).  

Street legal and non-street legal OHVs can access a number of high-elevation trails off of the Kingsbury Grade.   OHVs can also access the main through route (14N32) off of Spooner Summit behind the Nevada Division of Transportation Maintenance Station on Highway 50.

Access to Genoa Peak Trail from Kingsbury Grade

The Logan House Loop, an alpine-like loop opportunity trail (14N33), can be found once you get near Genoa Peak. 

View from Popular Genoa Peak Turnaround

It passes by numerous aspen groves and offers the trail enthusiast some breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe and the Carson Valley.   This route should be a must ride trail for OHVers who enjoy summer or late fall color touring. 

Historic Carvings in Aspen Grove

Be sure and take a lunch as you will want to take all day to stop and enjoy the various vista points along the way.

View of Lake Tahoe

QWR commends the LTBMU for their ongoing effort to armor the routes by adding soil erosion structures and trail delineators.   

Trail Delineators along Route 

QWR understands the Forest is starting a project to enhance the staging area off of the Kingsbury Grade.  This is great news and will be greatly appreciated by motorized and non-motorized recreationists that use the area.

The staging area project is part of the LTBMU’s long-term effort to engage with the OHV community in a partnership that will both protect natural resources and enhance sustainable motorized trail opportunities in the Lake Tahoe area.