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August
2008
by Bev Showalter, CLRC Trails
Advocate
I
have been taking a "breather" for June/July. Seems my weekends
were so booked out for so long, I neglected my own property. So
not much has been accomplished in June/July except some nice
trips to the White Mountains to ride those wonderful trails in
the cool mountain breezes.
AZ
Trail:
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords testified before Congress to
support the status of the AZ Trail as a National Scenic Trail.
We are moving forward to achieve this status. The AZ Trail is an
804 mile trail stretching from the Mexican border to the Utah
border. CLRC is Segment Steward for the Oracle Ridge section,
stretching from American Flag Trailhead to Rice Peak. October is
AZ Trail Month. I will personally lead a ride for ATA on Oct 19
at 9AM; not sponsored by CLRC, it is open to the public for fund
raising purposes.
Tortolita
Preserve:
Our
new bike friend, Max, keeps us updated on the trail/issues since
he bikes in there regularly.
The NO ATV signs have been trashed, and ATV’s
continue to be a problem. Marana is working with their
Environmental Division to develop a management plan for the
area. It will include some environmental monitoring. They have a
scout troop that will string wildlife friendly fencing across
the southern boundary this fall. I have proposed equestrian
gates with step-overs to discourage the ATV’s. The design for
Wild Burro Trailhead is being completed. (This will be located
just outside of the gate to the new Ritz-Carlton Hotel, up the
wash from the current trailhead at the north end of Dove
Mountain Rd) Once that is done and the cost estimated, Marana
will know how much money they will have left over for the
Preserve Trailhead. Eventually the wild Burro Trail will start
at Tangerine Rd and head north thru the Preserve to the
Tortolita Park.
I have been busy spending CLRC money on new
tools and more tools. We purchased a wonderful new tool that is
designed to cut upper branches out of our reach and cholla trees
without us getting cholla on us. It is about 2.5 feet long and
easy to carry with us. We also bought tools to dig and install
carsonite signs. So we will be installing signs at the Preserve
and on our segment of the AZ Trail. The only thing is these
"driving tools" are very heavy, so maybe Katie Mule or Ruthie
Mule will have to carry them. When it cools off a bit we’ll get
out there and work on trail maintenance. If you haven’t ridden
this trail, you really should. Go north on Dove Mtn Rd from
Tangerine, turn left on Moore to the end, go thru gate, close it
behind you, and park. Lotsa room for parking on the Gas Line
Road.
HALF
MOON RANCH:
Rudy and Lee are finishing
up the new gates, and we will install them at the corrals at the
ranch. We’ll get this done before the Poco Bueno Ride in Oct. We
are doing this for Coronado National Forest.
EDWIN ROAD:
Pima Trails /Bev is
monitoring Pinal County’s construction along Edwin from Columbus
to Oracle. Pinal is supposed to keep enough room for a trail on
the Pima County side so horses will have ingress/egress along
Edwin off the road. There are some problems already where there
is no room for a trail. PTA is addressing this with Pima County,
as the original plans showed room for a safe trail. There are
equestrians living in the interior of Catalina, and they need to
be able to ride to the Forest from their homes and not have to
trailer.
DEER CAMP:
Many thanks to Dave Reaser
for adopting this trail to keep maintained. We haven’t gotten up
there yet to replace pipe for the drinker. Please come to the
August PIZZA PARTY Fall Kickoff meeting, look at the trails map
and adopt a segment so we can all participate in "giving back"
and keep our local trails maintained.
WYMAN ESKE MEMORIAL TRAIL:
Mary Jane will ask the
Board in Aug to approve naming the trail from Wyman’s old
property up to the Black Swing Gate in honor of Wyman, a real
cowboy, a 14 yr CLRC member and friend.
CATALINA STATE PARK:
I have reports that
someone has been building "jumps" and wildcat trails in the
northern section of the Park. This is ILLEGAL. We are not
allowed to monitor, maintain, adjust, build or change any trail
within the Park. If you know who might be doing this, please
inform them to stop. I don’t think any CLRC member would do
this, so it must be a non-member, in my mind…..
State
Land Permits:
Check your expiration date
on your permit. The state will not notify you of exp. Dates, so
please keep your renewals current, so you are legal
to ride on state lands.
Please contact me on any trails issues/
access/ gates, etc…
(w) 901-1862 (h) 825-4886 (cell) 850-2196 or
bevshowalter@comcast.net
(best)
State
Land Permit:
It is Vital
that all of us have in our possession a state land permit while
riding state land. DO NOT get caught without one, please! Go
on-line:
www.land.state.az.us click on “recreation permits”, scroll down
page, click on “permit application”
and print out your application form. Mail
in. Takes a few days to get the permit. Please contact me
on any trails issue: Bev Showalter
825-4886 (w) 901-1862 (cell) 850-2196) bevshowalter@comcast.net
(best)
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