OHVers Attend Nor Cal Monument Meeting to Show Interest in Management Plan

Riders Highlight Important OHV Trails at

Monument Recreation Station

A good turnout of both motorized and non-motorized trail enthusiast attended the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management’s public meeting last night in Winters, California.

The agencies said they are in the early stages (pre-scoping) of developing a management plan for the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument (BSMNM) and have invited the public to participate in Community Conversations about the Monument. The conversations are an opportunity for the public to express what is important to them about the management of the BSMNM.

OHV recreationists and clubs who use the area for trail riding and events such as enduros and dual-sport rides know just how important it is for them to participate in the public process related with the upcoming management plan for the monument.

Recreationists Engage with BLM/FS Staff

The third Community Conversation will occur Tuesday, October 4 at the Holiday Inn Express in Willows, Calif. The meeting room is at 545 N. Humboldt Ave. and will also run from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

The BSMNM was established in July 2015 to preserve the objects of scientific and historic interest on the lands of the Berryessa Snow Mountain area. The 330,000-acre area is bounded on the north by the Snow Mountain Wilderness and on the south by Berryessa Mountain in north-central California. Approximately 197,000 acres are administered by US Forest Service and 133,000 acres by the BLM.

The agencies hope that you will join them at a Community Conversation. For more information please go here, http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mendocino/home/?cid=FSEPRD506559

                                                                     

Happy 100th Birthday to the National Park Service

QWR wants to congratulate the National Park Service (NPS) on its 100^th Anniversary.  And, we also send our early congratulations to Denali National Park as it prepares to celebrate its 100^th Anniversary in 2017.

Armored Trail near Visitor's Center

While on a recent trip to Alaska, QWR hiked and toured in some of Denali National Park.  This is must see area for those who love the great outdoors.

Armored Trail Section in Riparian Zone

QWR supports the agency’s ongoing effort to enhance hiking and camping opportunities in that unit for both Alaskans and visitors.

Trail Sign

QWR appreciates the high-quality level of trail construction and maintenance that was noted on the trail system that stems out of the Denali National Park Visitor’s Center.

Mount Denali

While many NPS parks offer only non-motorized trail opportunities, it is important to remember that numerous park units offer some form of sustainable non-competitive street-legal or non-street legal OHV (NPS refers to OHV as ORV) touring/backcountry adventure opportunities.

LINK TO NPS ORV INFORMATION

https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/off-road_driving.htm

As the popularity of OHV-related adventure-type recreation grows, QWR believes the NPS will continue to provide that important and specialized link for ORVers to explore and appreciate our natural world. 

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.  

The California Trail is Important Link to our Past/Future

CA Trail Center near Elko, NV

At QWR, we believe “The Trails You Take on Life’s Journey are Important.”   Trails can offer backcountry adventurists a link to our past and/or help chart a course for the future.  A perfect example of that link to our past is found along the California Trail.  

According to The California Trail Interpretive Center, between 1841 and 1869, up to 250,000 people sold their belongings, packed wagons, and set out on a 2,000 mile trek for California.

Path of CA Trail

Located near Elko, Nevada, The Center is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and offers the public a high-quality “step back into the past” experience via a number of kiosks, video/audio presentations, authentic pioneer-era structures, artwork, and other educational modules.

CA Trail Marker Post 

 The Center also has a number of free publications with maps and site details for those of you who might want to explore the California Trail by vehicle.

LINK TO THE CA TRAIL INTERPRETIVE CENTER

http://www.californiatrailcenter.org/

While most of the California Trail is in close proximity to major interstate highways or goes through private property, there are some segments on federal lands that are accessible for those of you with high-clearance SUVs  or adventure/dual-sport motorcycles.

BLM Dirt Road along CA Trail

The next time you are near Wells, Nevada, you might want drive about 12 miles up Highway 93 and turn right at the BLM’s Hunter Draw/Willow Creek sign.  Just a few miles up that dirt road you will find carsonsite markers that identify the original California Trail where wagon ruts are still visible.

BLM Route Sign along Highway 93

Remember to stay on the dirt road which mostly parallels the California Trail so as to honor and protect the historic route.

View from BLM Road along CA Trail

QWR commends Congress for authorizing the California National Historic Trail in 1992.  The California Trail is administered by the National Park Service in partnership with the BLM, Forest Service, local/state government, and other stakeholders.   

LINK TO THE NPS CALIFORNIA TRAIL PROGRAM

https://www.nps.gov/cali/index.htm

QWR believes the California Trail highlights the important role that trails have in adding quality to our lives for both current and future generations.

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Proud American and Off-Roader

Proud to be an American and Off-Roader

By Don Amador

July 3, 2016

The 4^th of July/Independence Day weekend is when millions of Americans celebrate our freedom, history, and traditions.  It is when we show pride in our country by flying Old Glory, wearing patriotic gear, honoring service members, and championing all that is American.

One of our cherished pastimes is using off-highway vehicles to recreate on public lands with family and friends.  

This 4^th of July, I want the OHV community to take pride in how this highly popular outdoor activity has matured over the last 30 years into a sport that has effective professional and volunteer representation at the grassroots, administrative, legal, and political levels.

Having worked in the field of OHV advocacy for the last 26 years, I want to thank all of you who have contributed to the fight to preserve and protect responsible OHV recreation on public lands.  

You make me Trail Proud!

# # # 

*I sent out a limited number of Trail Proud tees and decals to a few folks that I have worked with over the years and who have been strong supporters of OHV.  I have a few decals left, so send me an email and snail mail address if you would like a decal for your rig. 

Email: damador@quietwarriorracing.com

Also, feel free to leave a note in the blog comment section about your own pride of OHV.

Plumas Backcountry Adventure Trail is Sierra Gold

Plumas Backcountry Discovery Trail

The Plumas Backcountry Discovery Trail (BDT) offers adventure seekers a rare glimpse into California’s rich history.  This 150 mile long route has numerous discovery points (DP) where you can see breathtaking views, spectacular geological features, old mines, gold rush towns, mountain meadows, rare plants, abundant wildlife, and old logging mills.

Plumas BDT Starts in La Porte

In addition to the main route, there are several four-wheel drive alternate trails that provide more of a driving challenge to key DPs and local history.

Mountain View

This region of the Sierra is also home to many Native American cultural sites.   The Mountain Maidu people lived throughout the Plumas National Forest.  They still use natural materials for basket weaving and other activities.

High Elevation Mountain Meadow

Before starting your Plumas BDT trip, QWR suggests that you acquire a hardcopy or online version of the BDT route.  The Plumas National Forest has a visitor center located just before you arrive at the town of La Porte where your journey begins.  Also, be sure and pick up a Plumas National Forest Map as it will help you navigate the course and highlight additional non-BDT trail opportunities.

LINK TO PLUMAS BDT

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/plumas/recreation

After leaving La Porte, DP 1 on Map 1 is Gibsonville where the pavement ends.  This is a great place to step from your vehicle and check out the area.  It also has a wide spot where local users unload their non-street legal OHVs.

Info Sign at Gibsonville DP

Along this conifer lined route you will see waterfalls, mountain meadows, rugged mountains, and streams.  You will also pass by a snowmobile warming hut and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).

Bean Hill DP

Maps 5 and 6 take you past old mining operations and lumber mills.  DP 18 overlooks the Bean Hill Mine.  This stop invites the traveler to hike some of the area where the evidence of mining is still visible today.

California Pitcher Plant

QWR suggests you set aside some quality time at DP 19 to explore the Butterfly Valley Botanical Area.  It is home to hundreds of plant species including the carnivorous California pitcher plant.   Thanks to the wet spring this year, there were a lot of pitcher plants to photograph and enjoy.

California Black Bear

Photo Credit: Ellen Amador

There is also abundant wildlife along this route which includes bear, deer, and many birds.

Wild Lily

The route on Map 7 starts at the old logging town of Twain.  The Twain General Store and RV Park is a great place to stop for food and/or to stay overnight.   Just across from the store, the BDT crosses Highway 70 where you ascend several thousand feet to the top of the ridge.  

Twain General Store

SxS recreationists may want to consider camping at Twain and spend a day or two riding on Map 7’s BDT and other legal Forest roads that stem off of the main trail.  Plumas County has also designated County Road 306 for OHV use which adds important connectivity for non-street legal OHVs.

Wildfire History on the Plumas NF

If you only have a couple of days to tour the BDT there are numerous motel options in Yuba City, Quincy, Lake Almanor, and Chico.  There are also designated campgrounds and many dispersed camping areas along the BDT.  The Gold Pan Lodge in Quincy now offers BDT travelers the same discount they afford PCT hikers – just ask for the BDT discount when booking a room.

  

However, the best way to explore all of the sights and sounds of the Plumas BDT is to plan a 3-4 day vacation so you have time to fully appreciate this remote part of California.

QWR hopes the growing number of adventurists that use the various segments of the BDT will create momentum for the completion of a programmatic state/federal planning effort that will formalize a network of non-paved backcountry routes that connect many of the Golden State’s scenic areas.

Gold Pan Inn – Quincy, CA – (530) 283-3686

Twain General Store and RV Park – (530) 283-2130

SxS Training/Education Added to Trail Program

Chief Instructor Andrea Beach with DriverCoach Cadet

QWR wants to thank the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA), Chief Instructor – Andrea Beach, and American Honda for their respective roles in last week’s ROHVA DriverCoach Preparation Workshop.  The training was held over 4 days at Honda’s Rider Education Center located in Colton, CA.

Andrea Beach (C) with DriverCoach Graduates

According to the ROHVA website, the association was formed to promote the safe and responsible use of recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) manufactured or distributed in North America. ROHVA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop a standard for the equipment, configuration and performance requirements of ROVs. Based in Irvine, Calif., the not-for-profit trade association is sponsored by Arctic Cat, BRP, Honda, John Deere, Kawasaki, Polaris, Textron, and Yamaha.

Open Trail Experience - Driving on Rocky Terrain

Andrea Beach did a great job helping our class of six ROV DriverCoach candidates learn about  teaching the various closed range exercises and the open trail experience.  Her many years in off-road racing, driver/rider training, and general OHV recreation added a great deal of depth and richness to the course work.

QWR also appreciates that American Honda hosted the event at their popular training center and for loaning our class the use of three Pioneer 500 SxSs.

Open Trail Experience - Driving Near Trees

Don Amador, President of Quiet Warrior Racing/Consulting, states, “I feel the training received from Andrea at the Honda facility will enhance my ongoing efforts to champion responsible use of OHVs on public lands. SxS use is an important and growing recreational activity.  I think it is critical for trail-based recreation professionals to aid in the education of both the public and private sector communities.”

“I look forward to doing my part in helping train agency staff and other users in the safe operation of SxS.  Over the next few weeks, I will be busy working to site a number of strategically placed ROHVA-approved ranges,” Amador concludes.

LINK TO ROHVA (Go ahead and take the free online ROHVA E-Course)

http://www.rohva.org/

*If you are interested in having Don teach a ROHVA BasicDriver Course, contact him at: damador@quietwarriorracing.com