Looks like the forest service aloud a logging company to cut down the trees along the trail, Thats not the real bummer.
The real bummer is they trashed the trail more then any 4x4's have ever done. The trail is straight up fucked up.. then someone stole the tractor and went wild with it and dug a 7 ft deep hole in the middle of the trail and sunk the tractor in it. so the forest service told the logging co. to cut down as many trees around it so the trail is now inaccessible about one mile in. Pictures soon to come as I get them...
:mad3:

Ya....the real bummer is that the government can do whatever the fawk they want without asking and then when they think we are having too much fun or they see the slightest bit of impact from trail use they get all huffy and start closing things down :mad3:

Who dug the hole?

Someone knows who did it.

Someone knows who did it.

Someone knows who did it.

Problem is: it's too late. We all suffer. :mad3:

WTF!!!!!! :mad3: I wanna see pics! Fordyce is pretty much getting snowed in right now, So your telling me their just gonna leave all these downed trees till next season? Fuck that I"ll be rolling in with the 066 and husky :mad3:

look in the newbie fourm. he posted a link to some pics in there.

Think Im full of shit? I just got home from fordyce snowing just a bit when I left anyway here is where I started the link in the newbie section (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=314750) there is picture's there.

Hmmm..those pics dont look to bad,typical logging operation it seems like. Maybe Im wrong but I dont think their closing the trail. I mean did you talk with anyone official?

Ok...it seems to me that their just worried about somebody falling in the hole so they blocked it off.....

there is a thread in Gen 4x4 also, I posted some of the pics there so you don't have to go over to the Yahoo picture site.

I'll repeat my post from the Gen 4x4 thread here, too.:

:rolleyes: :shaking:
WTF are you guys getting all upset about? First of all, logging is part of our forests, its all part of multiple use. Second of all, anyone that gets a contract with the FS, or for that matter a state forestry agency, has some obligations to fulfill under that contract. One of those obligations is repairing roads and other stuff they tear up. That generally has a time frame tied to it. And if they don't abide by the terms of their contract the feds will then come in with another contractor or themselves and fix it up and then bill the original contract holder. So...hold your anger and see what happens comes spring. ;)

Oh yea I agree 100% Im just posting this so there was somthing said about it when It was going on...not when it was too late...we enjoy that trail all year and it was a shocker to see all that damage.

Hmmm..those pics dont look to bad,typical logging operation it seems like. Maybe Im wrong but I dont think their closing the trail. I mean did you talk with anyone official?

I never said the trail was closing I said it is inaccessable as of today when I was there. And I thought the logging company did alot of unessary damage. Like landuseorc posted We will wait and see how they clean it up.

The logging that is going on is not the major issue, that just made the area look like shit. The problem was the temporary closure of that part of the trail due to the damage to the trail making the Fordyce trail and Eagle Lakes trail unaccesible from Eagle Lakes Road. .

The pictures do not really show the extent of the trees downed across the trail, and we didn't get pictures of the "hole" because we really didn't find out why the trail was blocked untill we were leaving the area. We hiked back a few hundred feet just see a bunch more trees were downed across the trail..

As much as I believe this post is about being aware of whats going on on the trail, it is also letting people know that they may not be able to gain access to the trails any time soon..

One in our group on Sunday ventured in, and didn't see a hole, however, there was a place that seemed to have been "filled in" and was pretty soft, so they are in the process of repairing the whole.

There is a sign posted by the restrooms stating that someone stole some of the logging equipment and got the tractor stuck in the creek crossing. The logging actually looks pretty good - thinning, the bark damage will heal, and those trees will be fine - it's not as bad as some winch damage I've seen on old trees.

I'm more concerned about when the trail will be open again than the logging.

Thanks for all the 411 though, I was looking from info on a few boards before finding this.

well when the loggers come in they not only damage the trees but they also damage the soil with their rigs....as far as the way the land looks like when they are finished the stumps are left and usually are around 2-3 feet tall.....when they are complete they are supposed to replant new trees, i read the regulation a couple of years ago for every 1 tree cut 3 are supposed to be planted, well 90% of the time they do not comply......just up the back roads from here we have many spots where this has been done and the forestry service has not done a thing nor has anyone else for that matter.....what is worse they don't clean up all the branches or small trimmings.....

this is all happening around us and in my opinion we as wheelers should do more to protect our trails like Fordyce and the RUbicon...you all are correct when they do finish the logging it will look a little better but it will NEVER be right again, and the logging company will probably not do a lot to prevent soil damage now or after they are done, what is happening to the water table with all the trees getting cut which are not consuming water anymore......

as far as the tractor bigblack75Chev is right it was probably some dumb fawk, how many of us have keys or know how to start these tractors and when people see some stupid ass logging company doing this we all want to do a little sabatoge to them now don't we......

x4

Logging is part of Multiple Use as Brad said. Without it there would be devastating effects of fire and disease, as any of us from So Cal about the effects.

If the logging company does not repair the effects of their use (notice I didn't say "damage"), then it is up to us as responsible citizens to hold them to it via pressuring the USFS to hold them to their deal. Sitting back and bitching about it won't fix it. Monitor the situation and do something about it via the proper channels/authorities.

Sabatoging the equipment was probably NOT done by a wheeler, nor any true recreationist. It was done by some ignorant jackass that was probably a member of a militant anti-use eco-terrorist group like e.l.f. (yes I know you are supposed to capitalize abbreviations, but I refuse to capitalize the name of a terrorist group). Anyone confusing these two types of groups is an idiot and part of the problem, not the solution.

It's everyones Land, use it don't abuse it.


:usa:

Here's a picture of the sign at the bathrooms explaining the "theft" and cause...

http://www.creationnonstop.com/images/board/fordycetractor.jpg

posted in General, but posting here to make sure everyone gets to read



OK guys here is the scoop straight from our contact at the Forest Service. First, if you have been traveling to Fordyce recently and were surprised to see logging you haven't been paying attention. For the last 2 years the trees starting showing marks and streamers to show which one's were going to come down.

BUT THE REAL ISSUE AT HAND HERE IS THIS!!!!

Some dipwad stole a tractor and dug a hole as stated in this thread. As a result of this the Forest Service sent out their team of engineers to attempt to remedy the problem. They concluded that due to the conditions up there that they would not be able to sufficiently correct the problem. Solution: They asked the logging company to block access to the trail. I have not been on the phone with them to ask any questions, just got an informative e-mail on Monday. Will try to get in touch to try to work out a solution to get it open again, but the way I am looking at it somebody fawked up bad and it will be blocked until we can get up there with the FS engineers in the spring.

If you really want to head up there, you could always head in through the cutout for the time being. I will let everyone know when we find out more.

Thanks for the update - as I mentioned earlier - let us know if we need to get a work crew together for "repair" like we do for clean-up. I know the Treasure Hunters would be willing to help out as well - since we work so much with you on the Trek.

ALSO - MORE IMPORTANTLY - tell the High Schoolers to keep their ears open for people "bragging" about the deed - someone has to know who did this - lets get them and their family to get up there and put some elbow grease in during the 20 degree days to remedy there "joy ride"......

I think what really gets concerned offroaders upset is that if we stack one rock or spin our tires on some trails others can whine about environmental damage while a huge government backed industry can just stomp all over the place with very little regard for anything. As other people have said the area will probably rebound quickly with little effect. But when one wheeler has some fun and goes offroad some people cry devastation and demand closure.

I am pretty sure the people who did the damage with the tractor were eco-nazis. They have been putting bombs in new homes and burning down new developments. I am sure they would love to blame us wheelers, but they are the problem.