Greater Arkansas River Nature Association - colorado conservation and education

Friends of Fourmile - Chapter Page Update November 24, 2009

OVERVIEW

This GARNA chapter consists of volunteers from the motorized and non-motorized recreational communities who have special concern for the 100,000 ac Forest Service/BLM area in northern Chaffee County called Fourmile. Our goal is to assure the area continues open to many uses, yet is used responsibly, with a minimum of damage to its remarkable natural and cultural resources.

Our specific mission is to assist the BLM and USFS in implementing the Fourmile Travel Management Plan, and

Assure quality recreational opportunities continue to be available for a wide variety of users
Maintain and improve the area’s natural resources
Help resolve conflicts between users
Ensure that all types of recreational users and private landowners continue to be involved in the area’s management

Friends of Fourmile is non-partisan with respect to favoring or promoting one type of recreational activity over another (e.g. motorized or non-motorized). It is focused simply on helping the land managing agencies implement their approved travel management plan, which is itself the product of a long public process involving all types of user groups.

DOWNLOAD FOURMILE MAPS

To view a general map of the Fourmile Area, showing official system roads and trails click here.
To view the new map of the Midland Bicycle Trail click here.
To view the new map of the Whipple Trail, click here.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

On GARNA’s relationship to Friends of Fourmile info@garna.org
On upcoming Friends projects and how to volunteer sheryl_archuleta@yahoo.com
On publicity and website matters robinson@chaffee.net

TO BECOME A FRIENDS OF FOURMILE CHAPTER MEMBER

Please see GARNA Membership, fill out the application, and make sure to check the box for enrolling as a Friends of Fourmile Chapter member

PLEASE WATCH THIS PAGE FOR UPDATES ON FRIENDS PROJECTS

REVIEW PAST CHAPTER UPDATES

Spring and Mid Summer 2008 Update "Maintenance and New Directions"

Spring and Early Summer 2007 Update “Keeping up the good work”

Fall 2006 Friends Highlights “Driving Tour, Restorations and Midland Bike Trail”

Spring and Early Summer 2006 Update “Hiking and Biking Trails”

2005 Year in Review

Friends of Fourmile
Year 2009 Activities and Emerging Issues

Increased use in Fourmile a major concern for Chapter/land managers

Statistics collected by Volunteers on 2009’s peak Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends (plus summer observations) documented increases in use of as much as five times which have become obvious to the Friends, Forest Service and BLM since the Fourmile Travel Management Plan was approved in 2002. This is especially true for recreational vehicles like 5th wheel “mobile garages” that combine living space with room for several ATVs and motorcycles, and other large RVs and camper rigs.

Recent trend in large family/Friends groups in big rigs traveling together continues...

This spur didn’t exist two years ago.

The number of Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs), which includes unlicensed ATVs and motorcycles, has similarly increased, and there have been substantial increases in the number of mountain bike users as well. It appears that hiking and jeep/SUV use is about the same, although many local users now avoid weekends, preferring not to compete with the heavy motorized use.

Memorial Day 2009 saw more than 500 OHVs on Fourmile trails.
Mountain biking is on the increase also.

Increased camper pressure is evident in annual expansion of camping areas (photo below) with more and more fire rings and-a particularly destructive problem - more in-camp areas where young OHV riders play while older folks relax around a campfire (second photo).

This group thoughtlessly expanded a camping area into an untracked meadow.
Young rider play area near popular campsite.

This issue of increasing use without a firm strategy for controls to protect the area’s resources has become the Friends’ primary priority in discussions with the BLM and Forest Service. There are signs that both agencies are becoming more concerned about taking action, and the Volunteers are anxious to be a part (see related story about BLM camping areas, below). As a general observation, over the past 6-7 years ATV and motorcycle users have shown much better compliance with the managers’ requirements to “Stay the Trail” signs indicating closure or restriction to certain vehicle types are generally well-respected and few if any new unauthorized routes are being created. The problem now centers on impacts of higher and higher total numbers every year.

BLM takes action on limiting expansion of camping areas

In response to the expanding campsite problem, local BLM recreation specialist Starr Jamison initiated a program of delineating sites with posts, which encourage campers to park vehicles in a limited area and “walk-in” to pitch tents. The Friends helped on several workdays (see photos).

Work goes fast with many shovels!
Vehicles used to drive freely in the foreground.

Extra fire rings (foreground) were removed to encourage smaller group size.

By summer’s end grass was already moving back to areas (beyond posts) formerly driven on.

High Rocky Riders joins Friends group in work days

The High Rocky Riders www.highrockyriders.org/, the valley’s largest recreational OHV group, joined the Friends in survey and hands-on work days in late summer. On one level this is a good way of increasing the number of eyes on the lookout for (and hands to fix) problems like braiding of routes, incipient “play areas” and other examples where motorized or non-motorized users might be forgetting to “Stay the Trail” – see photos of various fixes.

A “mini” hill climbing play area gets tree limbs scattered in addition to a long-standing closure sign that’s being ignored.

And so does an incipient “braid” (created by drivers who don’t want to slow down to go through the necessary but bumpy water bar near the ATV).

Here’s closure of another short new braid created when maintenance on the main route (left) fell short and drivers were avoiding a rough section.

As usual, work done by volunteers is supervised or authorized by agency contacts like this member of the BLM/FS/State Parks OHV trail crew.

On another level, HRR actively working with Friends of Fourmile signals a renewed and welcome interest in “single user” advocacy groups (like the HRR or the new bicycle group Ark Valley Velo or the local horse user group) joining forces with a “multiple-user” group like the Friends. Ideally this interaction encourages the single user group to appreciate how their recreational patterns-and proposals for increased access or changes in agency policies-may affect other users and ultimately the health of the Fourmile’s resources. And when these groups work together, proposals crafted through consensus may face an easier road when presented to the agencies for approval.

State-wide volunteer trail builders (VOC) return to Fourmile

For the third time since 2005, the respected state-wide volunteer group Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado returned to Fourmile for a trail building project. The first two were along the Davis Meadow Trail in northern Fourmile, with the Forest Service providing design and support, along with Friends. The latest project was to improve the Midland Hill trail above Buena Vista, an extension of the town’s popular Whipple Trail system, on BLM lands. On October 17-18 over 75 “VOC” volunteers joined 6 local veterans of past VOC projects to rehabilitate 3,000 feet of the lower trail, installing dozens of drainage dips and steps.

Site of the old Midland Depot on the Midland RR grade above Buena Vista was transformed into base camp.

The hikers-only Midland Hill trail is strenuous, gaining 1500 ft in 2.4 miles from the river.

As usual VOC crews didn’t shy away from moving big boulders to build sturdy steps.

Some of the BV volunteers puzzle over making another rock step fit in.

BLM recreation specialist Starr Jamison, who selected the project site and invited the VOC, thanked the 75 volunteers for a great effort.

Davis Meadow Trail gets maintenance

Following summer wind storms a number of trees had blown down along the Davis Meadow Trail in northern Fourmile. Friends volunteers starting from east and west took only a day to cut the downfalls out.

Annual Fourmile guided hike for GARNA summer activity

A small but enthusiastic group joined the annual Friends-led hike September 19th.

Primary destination - the 1890’s era “Swedish Camp” south of FR 311.
Fall colors were fading but the day provided a great walk and history lesson.

Miscellaneous

Other activities: big thank you to volunteer graphic designer Kathy McCoy who worked with other volunteers and the agencies to update the popular Fourmile brochure, making sure it is consistent with the San Isabel National Forest’s new Motor Vehicle Use Map http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/maps/mvum_sal09.pdf
About 25,000 were printed using funds from private local contributors as well as the agencies and some GARNA money.

BLM specialists from the Canon City office, in conjunction with local BLM and San Isabel National Forest staff, have completed about one half of a project to construct overflow drainage dips at 8-10 locations along the Midland Bike Trail. These are designed to channel flash flood waters around areas where 100+ years of sediments have pooled behind the old railbed, and thus avoid sudden drainage of sediments into Trout Creek. Friends volunteers joined BLM in repairing waterbars on 1450A which heavy equipment inadvertantly damaged, and in reseeding disturbed areas. The remaining drainage structures will be constructed in the spring when weather conditions permit

Friends volunteers also joined other users in discussing which, if any, existing user-created trail routes to consider for eventual designation in BLM’s Browns Canyon Wilderness Study area.

The “active roster” of Friends of Fourmile remains below 10, and although we think we get a reasonable amount done (evidence above!) we definitely would welcome new members.

Update submitted by:

Alan Robinson
Publicity Coordinator/Board Representative
Friends of Fourmile Chapter of GARNA
33700 Mt. Harvard Circle, Buena Vista, Colorado USA 81211
Tel/fax: (719) 395-3396 Cell (719) 221-1259
e-mail: robinson@chaffee.net
http://www.garna.org/Friends-of-fourmile.htm

Friends of Fourmile Year 2009 Activities and Emerging Issues

Increased use in Fourmile a major concern for Chapter/land managers
Statistics collected by Volunteers on 2009’s peak Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends (plus summer observations) documented increases in use of as much as five times which have become obvious to the Friends, Forest Service and BLM since the Fourmile Travel Management Plan was approved in 2002. This is especially true for recreational vehicles like 5th wheel “mobile garages” that combine living space with room for several ATVs and motorcycles, and other large RVs and camper rigs.


Recent trend in large family/Friends groups in big rigs traveling together continues...


This spur didn’t exist two years ago.

The number of Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs), which includes unlicensed ATVs and motorcycles, has similarly increased, and there have been substantial increases in the number of mountain bike users as well. It appears that hiking and jeep/SUV use is about the same, although many local users now avoid weekends, preferring not to compete with the heavy motorized use.


Memorial Day 2009 saw more than 500 OHVs on Fourmile trails.	Mountain biking is on the increase also.

Increased camper pressure is evident in annual expansion of camping areas (photo below) with more and more fire rings and-a particularly destructive problem - more in-camp areas where young OHV riders play while older folks relax around a campfire (second photo).

This group thoughtlessly expanded a camping area into an untracked meadow.	Young rider play area near popular campsite.

This issue of increasing use without a firm strategy for controls to protect the area’s resources has become the Friends’ primary priority in discussions with the BLM and Forest Service. There are signs that both agencies are becoming more concerned about taking action, and the Volunteers are anxious to be a part (see related story about BLM camping areas, below). As a general observation, over the past 6-7 years ATV and motorcycle users have shown much better compliance with the managers’ requirements to “Stay the Trail” signs indicating closure or restriction to certain vehicle types are generally well-respected and few if any new unauthorized routes are being created. The problem now centers on impacts of higher and higher total numbers every year.

BLM takes action on limiting expansion of camping areas
In response to the expanding campsite problem, local BLM recreation specialist Starr Jamison initiated a program of delineating sites with posts, which encourage campers to park vehicles in a limited area and “walk-in” to pitch tents. The Friends helped on several workdays (see photos).


Work goes fast with many shovels!	Vehicles used to drive freely in the foreground.


Extra fire rings (foreground) were removed to encourage smaller group size.


By summer’s end grass was already moving back to areas (beyond posts) formerly driven on.

High Rocky Riders joins Friends group in work days
The High Rocky Riders www.highrockyriders.org/, the valley’s largest recreational OHV group, joined the Friends in survey and hands-on work days in late summer. On one level this is a good way of increasing the number of eyes on the lookout for (and hands to fix) problems like braiding of routes, incipient “play areas” and other examples where motorized or non-motorized users might be forgetting to “Stay the Trail” – see photos of various fixes.


A “mini” hill climbing play area gets tree limbs scattered in addition to a long-standing closure sign that’s being ignored.

And so does an incipient “braid” (created by drivers who don’t want to slow down to go through the necessary but bumpy water bar near the ATV).

Here’s closure of another short new braid created when maintenance on the main route (left) fell short and drivers were avoiding a rough section.

As usual, work done by volunteers is supervised or authorized by agency contacts like this member of the BLM/FS/State Parks OHV trail crew.

On another level, HRR actively working with Friends of Fourmile signals a renewed and welcome interest in “single user” advocacy groups (like the HRR or the new bicycle group Ark Valley Velo or the local horse user group) joining forces with a “multiple-user” group like the Friends. Ideally this interaction encourages the single user group to appreciate how their recreational patterns-and proposals for increased access or changes in agency policies-may affect other users and ultimately the health of the Fourmile’s resources. And when these groups work together, proposals crafted through consensus may face an easier road when presented to the agencies for approval.

State-wide volunteer trail builders (VOC) return to Fourmile
For the third time since 2005, the respected state-wide volunteer group Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado returned to Fourmile for a trail building project. The first two were along the Davis Meadow Trail in northern Fourmile, with the Forest Service providing design and support, along with Friends. The latest project was to improve the Midland Hill trail above Buena Vista, an extension of the town’s popular Whipple Trail system, on BLM lands. On October 17-18 over 75 “VOC” volunteers joined 6 local veterans of past VOC projects to rehabilitate 3,000 feet of the lower trail, installing dozens of drainage dips and steps.


Site of the old Midland Depot on the Midland RR grade above Buena Vista was transformed into base camp.


The hikers-only Midland Hill trail is strenuous, gaining 1500 ft in 2.4 miles from the river.

As usual VOC crews didn’t shy away from moving big boulders to build sturdy steps.	Some of the BV volunteers puzzle over making another rock step fit in.

BLM recreation specialist Starr Jamison, who selected the project site and invited the VOC, thanked the 75 volunteers for a great effort.

Davis Meadow Trail gets maintenance
Following summer wind storms a number of trees had blown down along the Davis Meadow Trail in northern Fourmile. Friends volunteers starting from east and west took only a day to cut the downfalls out.



Annual Fourmile guided hike for GARNA summer activity
A small but enthusiastic group joined the annual Friends-led hike September 19th.


Primary destination - the 1890’s era “Swedish Camp” south of FR 311.	Fall colors were fading but the day provided a great walk and history lesson.

Miscellaneous
Other activities: big thank you to volunteer graphic designer Kathy McCoy who worked with other volunteers and the agencies to update the popular Fourmile brochure, making sure it is consistent with the San Isabel National Forest’s new Motor Vehicle Use Map http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/maps/mvum_sal09.pdf About 25,000 were printed using funds from private local contributors as well as the agencies and some GARNA money. BLM specialists from the Canon City office, in conjunction with local BLM and San Isabel National Forest staff, have completed about one half of a project to construct overflow drainage dips at 8-10 locations along the Midland Bike Trail. These are designed to channel flash flood waters around areas where 100+ years of sediments have pooled behind the old railbed, and thus avoid sudden drainage of sediments into Trout Creek. Friends volunteers joined BLM in repairing waterbars on 1450A which heavy equipment inadvertantly damaged, and in reseeding disturbed areas. The remaining drainage structures will be constructed in the spring when weather conditions permit Friends volunteers also joined other users in discussing which, if any, existing user-created trail routes to consider for eventual designation in BLM’s Browns Canyon Wilderness Study area. The “active roster” of Friends of Fourmile remains below 10, and although we think we get a reasonable amount done (evidence above!) we definitely would welcome new members.
Update submitted by: Alan Robinson Publicity Coordinator/Board Representative Friends of Fourmile Chapter of GARNA 33700 Mt. Harvard Circle, Buena Vista, Colorado USA 81211 Tel/fax: (719) 395-3396 Cell (719) 221-1259 e-mail: robinson@chaffee.net http://www.garna.org/Friends-of-fourmile.htm