[pct-l] Re: Aqua Dulce to Lake Hughes

[dsaufley@xxxxxxxxxxx (dsaufley@xxxxxxxxxxx)]

You are very right about the motorcycle and ATV damage that is occurring in=
 the Mint Canyon area of the trail (along the Sierra Pelona ridge and up/do=
wn both sides). We did a National Trails Day clean up on that section a few=
 years back.  There is an OHV area to the west of the Trail (starts at Rowh=
er Flats), and they come over the PCT frequently, whether they're aware of =
it or not.  Unfortunately, there are some Agua Dulce residents who get out =
there and tear up the trail on their bikes/ATVs, too.  We have asked for in=
creased patrols, but have had little to no help from law enforcement.  Our =
sherrifs can barely cover the residential needs, much less patrolling the w=
ilderness area.  And, I've yet to see a forest ranger on any trail in the a=
rea. Interestingly, on a Saturday or Sunday, there are about 4 or 5 rangers=
 working the first staging area at Rowher Flat OHV area to make sure they h=
ave their Adventure Pass and Green Sticker, but none of this man power goes=
 toward protecting or maintaining the PCT -- or even educating the riders o=
n the boundary limits or consequences for violating them.

I'd better calm down now or I could violate my self-imposed policy of neutr=
ality on PCT-L posts and begin to really rant.


-=3DDonna=3D-

-------Original Message-------
From: Lonetrail@aol.com
Sent: 03/24/03 11:14 AM
To: dsaufley@sprynet.com, pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: Aqua Dulce to Lake Hughes

>
> Aqua Dulce To Lake Hughes

I was told about a Gold Mine off the trail outside Aqua Dulce. I decided
to
try to find it. I cut off trail and went up one canyon and down another
and
finally found the Gold Mine, but no Gold. Got lost coming back to Trail.
At the trail registry I met a jogger who happen to be Jeff Saufley, what a

small world. Jeff and his wife Donna are Trail Angels. I left my car
parked
in front of their house. This was at 3:00 PM.  I wanted to make Sierra
Pelona
Ridge Road (6N07) 8 miles and 1600 ft. el. I got there at 7:00 PM. I had a

full moon and it lit up the trail. The next morning I watered up at Bear
Spring. There is a Horse Trough on left with a small spring on right. (May
be
dried up later on)  The next few miles are a Night Mare with our PC Trail
cut
up by ATVs. One of our one inch thick steel plated PCT Sign has five 45
Cal.
bullets imbedded in the steel. BLM signs are also being shot up. We are
being
violated and vandalized by these ATV Riders. ATV Rider's should be
licenses
and required to pass a test making them aware of violations. If caught of
any
violations they should be fined or their ATV should be confiscated or both
There was a water drop right before Spunky Canyon Road three 2.5-gallon
containers. From Leona Divide Road the next 7 miles are maintained by the
High Desert Running Club. This is the best-maintained section I have seen.

They must rake and sweep it clean. Dropping down into the canyon there are

about three springs still running. There were two more water drops along
the
next two fire cut roads.

I remember the person who made a post several weeks ago that said he
doesn't
use a shovel to dig a cat hole, that he just covers it with rocks. I am
now
afraid to clear the trail of rocks. You don't know what may be under the
rock.

I dropped down to Lake Hughes Road and in five minutes of hitchhiking got
picked up by a beautiful Girl in both looks and personality who went out
of
her way and drove me back to Aqua Dulce. She may become our next Trail
Angel.
See there are nice people in this world. I want to thank Trail Angels Jeff
&
Donna Saufley and Dave Canfield for their help. I have now  go from Lake
Tahoe to Canada
Lonetail
>