Camping FYI around spider

[The Jerk]

Rolled in friday morning and was thinking on where to camp. (past 2 times this year i have been in the trees before sluice. Well i have seen people camped (as you go through lil sluice) to the right where teh slabs kinda dead end into the lake. So i figured ok that area must be ok still. Well while packing up sat afternoon to go home a shierf on foot was hiking around and educating people on the new area and rules. He told us that the red staked off signs that read"no motor vehichles beyond this point" are no longer valid. We were ok to camp where we did BUT just cant park by our camp because the trucks were to far from teh trail(more than 50 feet). He was really nice and simply wanted the word passed along as the fine could be up to 200 bucks. I know this is a popular camp area and would hate to see a fine imposed for not knowing. i also heard this from a different shierf on fri afternoon.

[GETTINTHERETOY]

Cool thanks for the update on that spot. We camped there last year for the 4th and were told we were fine as long as we were on the LS side of the signs. How far from the flat camping spot there did you end up parking your rigs?

[The Jerk]

we didnt. we were packing up and taking off. another group had already left for buck and were gone. the only other group had camp there and left for buck in the AM. I did ask him though and he said anywhere down along lil sluice would be fine (by that tree).

[Rollie]

Thanks for the update jiMMy

[Rollie]

jiMMy did any of you guys get pics.

[The Jerk]

jiMMy did any of you guys get pics.no pics. ill try and take some next weekend

[Rollie]

You know what weekend I'm talking about. Ask your club if they got any

[Craig]

I have a few pics of you ron. let me know if you want them.

[Rollie]

Rollie4x4@sbcglobal.net

Thanks

[Ghetto Fab.]

So just to reiterate, trucks can't be more than 50' from the trail in general or just in this spot due to the closure?

I think 50' should suffice for most camp spots with the exception of LS area and the LS slabs.

Would one be able to camp at the top of the granite bowl?

Just trying to make sure I know whats what.

Thanks,
Kevo

[The Jerk]

So just to reiterate, trucks can't be more than 50' from the trail in general or just in this spot due to the closure?

I think 50' should suffice for most camp spots with the exception of LS area and the LS slabs.

Would one be able to camp at the top of the granite bowl?

Just trying to make sure I know whats what.

Thanks,
Kevoin general not just the LS area. i also asked about the 2 by passes to the left of LS and he said those count as the trail and the 50 feet thing applies to that as well for that area. beyond the LS i have no idea. keep in mind this is just parking.

depending on where the actual trail is through the bowl(i have no clue) it would apply there as well once its marked. I will ask more next weekend. I want to get the same answer from different officials so its not a he said she said argument...

[NOODLES]

jimmy... was this on the trail that goes toward the back of spider past v rock, or did they mean you were to far from ls where the trail was? I was under the impression you couldn't drive up there whether there was stakes or not. but you could camp all you wanted around the lake.

[randii]

This is simple. Be within 25' of the trail (the 50' is an aggregate measurement, and assumes 25' on either side of the trail), and don't damage the resource, and you'll be fine.

Fifty feet from the edge of the trail might get you a ticket... especially if you are peeling out and roosting dirt, or even just creeping over green stuff. Any site close to Spider is DEFINITELY too far away from the trail, and Jimmy, you got lucky not getting a ticket! Thank that officer when next you see him!

Randii

[The Jerk]

jimmy... was this on the trail that goes toward the back of spider past v rock, or did they mean you were to far from ls where the trail was? I was under the impression you couldn't drive up there whether there was stakes or not. but you could camp all you wanted around the lake.not that area but i assume it applies there as well. he did say they are cutting some slack in that area because it is all granite and can drive over and unload and then go park down below.

[Hyena]

thats kinda wierd because a couple weeks ago when we were up there a couple forest service people on foot were there. They told us that the slab area was a special spot were you could park and camp there. As long as you don't go past the red stakes. they said that no where alond the rest of the trail you could do that. it is wierd that the sheriff would say something different.

[randii]

More discussion in another thread:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=492255

Regardless of what makes sense (or not), -- stay on the trail, or if an area is clear of vegetation, you can pull off a reasonable distance (the number we have been using for now is 25', but that is subject to change). Do anything differently, and you can be ticketed for failing to comply with Forest Order 03-05-07...
Resource damage (if present) is ticket under a different CFR, so you might get dinged for that, as well.

Randii

This is not rocket science, guys -- stay on the trail, or if an area is clear of vegetation, you can pull off a reasonable distance on either side (the number we have been using for now is 25', but that is subject to change). It may not make sense, but that's what they *can* enforce, for now. If you want to take a chance that you'll find the 'friendly cop' then *YOU* take that chance.

The red carsonites uphill of Little Sluice indicate the Spider Lake closure area -- this has since been trumped by the Forest Order that limits travel to system roads and trails. No cross-country travel has been allowed for wheeled vehicles for years, but since August of 2005, we are being limited even further to the maps on the Motorized Vehicle Restrictions map, which you should have a copy of, but is also available online, with more information and explanations here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/projects/route/fo/index.shtml

We lobbied again at the Rubicon Oversight Committee for better communications between enforcement organizations, and more consistent enforcement. There is much room for improvement in consistency, IN THE MEANTIME, FOTR RECOMMENDS PARKING ALONGSIDE THE ROAD, which in most cases is plenty wide to allow vehicles to pass a pulled-aside rig. CAMP WHEREVER, BUT PARK NEXT TO THE TRAIL.

Randii

Don't think that any of the organized events will get a free pass -- frankly, no free passes are available...

The Eldorado National Forest (ENF) was sued for failing to implement its plan for motorized recreation, and the legal settlement mandated by the judge allows access ONLY to system roads and trails until ROute Designation is complete. Sucky as that may be, the other likely alternative was to shut the forest down to motorized access. If ENF fails to enforce the settlement, federal court could close the forest to motorized access until ROute Designation is complete, and fine the forest.

As to the 'it is just granite' line of defense, the federal circuit court judge does not care where it is on granite, over the top of a bunny, or hanging out of a tree -- his instructions limit travel to system roads and trails, regardless of who you are or what you drive.

Randii