[pct-l] Horses on PCT.

[Jereen Anderson]

Note to Amanda from Ed Anderson/Mendorider
It's hard for me to understand your attitude. You do deserve flack! You have hiked on the PCT, and, I presume enjoyed the experience, yet seem unappreciative of why it is the fabulous trail that it is. Have you ever, personally, and physically, done maintenence work on the PCT? You say that you are aware that, thanks to horsemen and thier horses and mules, we have this trail. I suggest that you step over the horse poop rather than on it. When a rider approaches please try to move to a place below then trail rather than above it. This is for safety. Some horses might spook if you are above thier head. I am a member of the PCTA and also of the Back Country Horsemen of California (BCHC) Antelope Valley Unit.. We volunteer to help maintain our section E. Throughout the entire length of the PCT other BCH units and chapters volunteer thier time, energy, equipment, and horses to help maintain, improve and reroute trails when necessary. They also provede needed
 support for PCTA volunteers, Forest Service Crews, Boy Scout Volunteers and others who make the PCT possible. When you passed through our Section E did you even notice that dozens and dozens of fallen trees had been cleared to open up the trail? We, BCH and PCTA volunteers did the work in March and early April before the hikers arrived. Our horses and mules hauled in the chainsaws, fuel, and everything else needed to get the job done. 
Last summer, when I rode through the "infamous section O" I camped with the BCH Shasta-Trinity Unit. They were there, in many cases volunteering thier vacation time, for more than a week, to do needed trail work and to support the Boy Scout volunteers by hauling in water, food tools and other supplies needed by the Scouts. The Scouts that I met as I rode through were widening the trail as it passed along a steep, rocky cliff/slope. 
I suggest that you read the article that appeared in the December issue of the PCT COMMUNICATOR (I assume that you are a member) on trail work that was done in the Goat Rocks Wilderness of Washington. Two BCHW Chapters have worked on trails and supported PCTA volunteer crews doing much-needed trail work in that area. Notice the picture of a mule carrying sections of old rusted culverts out of the wilderness. And you complain that the mule poops! Step over the poop.
Remember that long before there were roads and cars, before there were horse-drawn wagons, and before there were backpackers, there were horse trails. Todays PCT is actually the result of connecting several old established horse trails. And the rest, the new trails that were built to create the PCT, were built with the help of horses and mules. So, Amanda, step over the poop and be thankfull that we have had horses to help so much in creating the trail that we all love.