Keep Trails Twisty Project Success
After the devastating French Fire last year many trails were just a ribbon of grey among landscapes of black ash and dead tree limbs. Without redefining the trails, it was evident that riders would go off trail
and create shortcuts destroying the twisty character of the single track trails and likely causing land managers to close them.
Just before the fire Stewards was awarded a Kern County OHV grant to help maintain the local trails on BLM lands. This enabled Stewards to begin a timely project on BLM lands surrounding Lake Isabella in the French
Fire area to keep the trails twisty by lining the trails with dead tree limbs and blocking shortcuts.
Blocking off shortcuts and redefining the single track trails to keep them twisty
Stewards also renewed water bars to reduce erosion, replaced and installed trail signs as well as pinch point fences. It was a lot of work but the result was impressive with riders staying on the
trails.
Installing pinch points prevent single track trails from being widened into roads
Almost one year later it is nice to see the lands have greened back up. Most importantly leaving a single ribbon of redefined twisty trail among the flowered hills. Without Stewards intervention there would
have been serious trail braiding where vegetation would not have grown. Leaving a landscape of unsightly and unacceptable shortcuts going everywhere, likely causing the closure of those trails.
Flowers and vegetation are coming back to surround our still twisty single track trails
Working in burn areas is probably the most unpleasant form of trail work. It was often hot, dusty and without shade as almost all the trees have burnt, but it was well worth the effort.
Sequoia and Sierra Fire Restrictions Go Into Effect
PORTERVILLE, Calif., May
26, 2022 -
The Sequoia National Forest will enact fire restrictions prohibiting campfires, welding, or smoking on all public lands managed by the Forest
below 5,000 feet, including developed or non-developed campsites. Campfires will only be allowed above 5,000 feet in developed campgrounds managed by the Forest Service or concessionaire, Rocky Mountain Recreation Company.
View all Forest Orders at
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sequoia/notices/?cid=FSEPRD539396.
When a forest fire ignites, the proximity of the Forest to large population centers and communities within the wildland-urban
interface creates a situation in which the potential for catastrophic property damage and loss of life is high. In California, over the past ten years, escaped campfires have accounted for igniting 25% of all wildfires. Reducing the number of these starts
will best enable us to successfully suppress the fires that do occur while protecting the safety of our employees and the community.
Our priority is to protect the health and well-being of our first responders and the public. This means that we are taking
additional precautions now to prevent wildfire ignitions in the Forest.
Effective May 26 through November 30, 2022, the following restrictions are in effect below 5,000 feet:
- No Campfires below 5,000 feet
- Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions. However,
a valid California campfire permit allows portable stoves with a shut-off valve that uses pressurized gas, liquid fuel, or propane. Free campfire permits are available at
www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/campfire-safety/.
- No Smoking is permitted, except within an enclosed vehicle.
- No motorized vehicles off properly designated Forest Service roads or trails.
- No welding or operating acetylene or other torches with open flame.
Fireworks, exploding targets, tracer rounds, and other incendiary ammunition or devices are not allowed in the Sequoia
National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument. This includes sparklers or safe and sane fireworks.
Human-caused fires can be prevented. One less spark can mean one less wildfire. Do your part to prevent wildfires. To
learn more, visit www.preventwildfireca.org/one-less-spark-one-less-wildfire.
Know Before You Go!
For additional information regarding fire restrictions, please contact your local Ranger Station Monday – Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm or email
SM.FS.SequoiaNF@usda.gov
for current information.
·
Kern River Ranger District - (760) 376-3781
·
Hume Lake Ranger District - (559) 791-5758
·
Western Divide Ranger District - (559) 483-0408
Stay informed by following our webpage at
www.fs.usda.gov/sequoia,
Facebook @SequoiaNF, Twitter @sequoiaforest, and the Free Sequoia National Forest OnCell phone app.
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SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL BUSINESS |
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4700 Lake Isabella Blvd
760 379-4631
http://www.lmlumber.com/
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L&M Lumber in Lake Isabella offers a very complete line of hardware store items, household goods, fireplaces as well as tool rental and more
Support the local businesses that support keeping your trails open and tell them thanks for supporting Stewards.
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