Please post them here! I know many of you are just getting home from work and didn't make it into the thread in time. Please continue to share your thoughts and stories in this thread. And please, give this thread the same respect as you did the other.

Thank everyone for taking the time to participate and proving that we can work together for one common cause!! Keep the Hammers open!!!! :roxy:

Since Kurt was suppose to post mine but didn't:flipoff2:

Never been to the hammers but If I had the chance to I'd drop everything, call in sick(even if I get fired), ride on the roof, or wherever possible for the once in a lifetime chance.

Since Kurt was suppose to post mine but didn't:flipoff2:

Never been to the hammers but If I had the chance to I'd drop everything, call in sick(even if I get fired), ride on the roof, or wherever possible for the once in a lifetime chance.

Sorry brother.... I totally fergot. I was SLAMMED with stuff during the whole rally...(I forgot someone else too...)

GREAT JOB EVERYONE!

I will "offically" thank everyone later. Just need time to type it up.

Sorry brother.... I totally fergot. I was SLAMMED with stuff during the whole rally...(I forgot someone else too...)

GREAT JOB EVERYONE!

I will "offically" thank everyone later. Just need time to type it up.

Its alright...I can put unofficial rally post #2:flipoff2:

We all have one thing in common, we have experienced land closure to our shooting, hunting and motorized activities. Never been to the Hammers either.

i wasn't able to make it into the official thread either but here's my $.02. i've been wheeling, camping, and riding my whole life and seeing areas become closed to those activities is depressing. i've never been to the hammers but it's on the "list." i just hope that it will be open for my kids' "list," too.

andy

I understand that this place must look an awful lot like Afganistan, but so do so many other places the Marines could find to train. This is too valuable of a resource to the American public to take it away. Some love the Grand Canyon, some love Yellowstone, and some the Pacific Crest Trail. This place is special to millions of Americans as well. It unites them. It motivates them. And it soothes them, just like our other landmarks. Oddly enough, the military proposes to take it over for much the same thing activities for which those red-blooded Americans enjoy. There are so few places our Nation has like this for the public, it would be a shame to take it away. If anything, we should protect it like we protect our other landmarks - not from the public, but for the public.

Keep Johnson Valley open and thriving.

Nick

Hmmm, where to begin we have very few places left in California,that offer so much in diversed OHV use from Serious to mild 4x4 trails, to motorcylces to quads to just the beauty of high desert. My Family has enjoyed Johnson Valley for about 10 years now. With my first and only son just being 20 months old now I would like to share Johson Valley with him and be able to teach him how to enjoy the land, I have no idea of what he will like but I know it will have a motor in it and it will be in the dirt. Johnson Valley is a great place to take your family because of the diverse terrain it offers there is something for everyone there. I urge the USMC to look else where to expand there base. I know that you must train to protect this great country and I applaud you for that but I know there are other area's that can be had that will not affect such a large group of people as the OHV comunity. Having Johnson Valley open to the PUBLIC is one of the reasons that the USMC is important to keep this nation free.

Sincerly,

Rusty F. Folena
Plymouth CA

I did not get to make it to the offical rally, stuck at work.

Land use is important to everyone.

We all want to see the land cared for and used wisely (Sierra club too), we all just have different opinions on what "wisely" is.

Closing an area that has foe years been used for motorized enjoyment is a blow to our community.

Off roaders as a rule take much better care of the land than we are often given credit for.

I hope another solution can be found to extending the militaries training area without negatively impaction the multi use area that is know as the Hammers.

I wish I could have made it in time to post in the official rally thread, but we were swamped with customers and I just couldn't break away. Those customers are precisely why it is so important to me personally, as well as my partner, my family, my employees and their families, that Johnson Valley must not be tinkered with. You see, we're an off-road shop, and the kind of family recreation and good clean fun that folks travel from all over the world to Johnson Valley for, is what keeps us open. While we do have a rather narrow focus in our business model, catering mostly to Ford Bronco enthusiasts, we do happen to be the closest shop to the Hammers, and we never turn away a fellow wheeler in need who shows up at our door either on the way to, on the way back, or after some breakage during their trip to JV.

Even though we're so close to JV, we and our customers enjoy all of the wide variety of trails and open spaces throughout the Southwest and across the country. But these areas are becoming increasingly rare due to various influences--environmentalist pressures mostly, where the few are able to wield the strong arm of their sponsors in government to lock most of us out of our own land. Now, it seems we have not only the nutty environmentalist whackos to contend with, but also the US Military, an institution which all of our fellow off-roaders hold in the highest esteem, support proudly with our votes, thoughts, prayers and care packages, and even the lives of our loved ones. Of course we understand the need for proper training, as most of us have freinds and loved ones whose very safety and effectiveness in their duties depends on it. But we believe there are other alternatives to closing this most sacred place in our sport, this place which so many Americans aspire to visit and enjoy, indeed, a place that our brave servicemen are fighting to protect our freedom to use.

The desert gets even more remote, more barren, more unused in other directions, for instance toward the east and north. There are also huge swaths of Joshua Tree NP that could be annexed to the base instead of JV, which see fewer visitors and offer less recreation opportunities. Of course, there are those who would consider annexing part of a Joshua Tree NP to a military base sacrilege. Well, for us, annexing Johnson Valley is even worse. To the north and east are vast tracts of unused land, and some designated wilderness. One gets the impression that those in power have chosen to pick on the area we off-road enthusiasts prefer, because it would be the politically easiest to do--we're the easiest pickings. But we're here to show you we're not.

I grew up visiting the desert, exploring this country's remote areas, taking in the sites that are only accessible by motorized travel, and enjoying good clean family fun in the outback. Johnson Valley is important to all Americans as a place where you can still do that. But more than that, it is the birthplace of modern rockcrawling, a sport that has engaged so many families and young people. And since the inception of the sport, no area in the world that has since been used for rockcrawling has matched Johnson Valley's variety, challenge, and even potential for new recreation possibilities. Losing it would be a loss to everyone, not just those who use it now, but those around the country who dream of coming here, and even those who would lose that freedom to do so and not even realize it.

Dusty Sharp

Never been to the Hammers. We have already lost the recreational use of so many areas in this country already, it would be a shame to loose this one also.
While I fully support our military, I feel like there are already places under military control that would serve the same purpose.

I have never been to the Hammers, but hope to some day have the chance!

Save the Hammers!:)

I cannot believe this BS, thousands of people on this BB and we get less then 1,500 replies. That sucks in my opinion !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :mad3::mad3::mad3:

Keep the Hammers open.
It saddens me that my children will not have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors the way I have.

I cannot believe this BS, thousands of people on this BB and we get less then 1,500 replies. That sucks in my opinion !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :mad3::mad3::mad3:

I think that many people were working, had this been later, there would have been several more replies. 1500 replies is kind of weak, but I could not get in due to being at work.

I just got here myself and was disapointed to see that the thread was already closed :confused: but I guess I can put my story here...

I've been wheeling all my life basicly. I've owned one type of 4 wheel drive or another all my driving life. I've only heard stories of Johnson Valley, The Rubicon Trail, Moab and other "great" places to wheel.

For the first time in my life I fianally have built a rig that will make it over these trails only to hear that EVERY ONE of them is facing closure because some so called tree hugger wants the forest for himself and has exploited the media and government to make the public think we are ruining the wilderness... the whole world even!! WE are global warming and must be stopped!

Then I hear that Johnson Valley isnt even going to the greenie tree huggers, It's going to be destroyed by the millitary!:mad3: What makes OUR government think this is acceptable?? If WE dont want it then so shouldnt our government, but are they doing this for us?? or do they have their own personal ajenda to follow? What back room deals make this perfect place worth ruining?? After they ruin it they'll close it because of ordnance on the ground and it'll just sit there unusable!:shaking:

I cannot believe this BS, thousands of people on this BB and we get less then 1,500 replies. That sucks in my opinion !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :mad3::mad3::mad3:


Most people WORK!

I had to break out the calculator to find out how many years I have been coming up from Orange County, CA to enjoy my weekends in the high desert. In my early teens we hung out at El Mirage, as my friends and I grew older we ventured further and further into the desert. Barstow, Red Mountain, Soggy and Means dry lake ect. ect. It would be a shame to close yet another riding area. I have seen it slowly dwindle. Millions of acres of public land has been shut down over the past 25 years. I am hoping that we- the people - can make a difference this time. Nothing relieves the pent up stress of metropolis living, like having an ice cold beer while staring into the fire after a long day of riding.
Through out my 33 years of utilizing the desert, which have included dirtbiking, racing, hiking, geocaching, and four wheeling. I am looking forward to being able to maintain our right to use this area know as: "the Hammers" in Southern California.

First of all, I support our Military whole heartedly and agree that they need land to train on. With that said, I strongly encourage you to consider other options for land than the Johnson Valley Trails.

I was not able to make it home in time for the Virtual Protest Rally, but I wanted to post here in hopes of encouraging you to look at other options.

I have 4 boys who I take Wheeling with me. I have a licensed rig that we trailer all over the East for Wheeling trips in various states. Harlan, Ky, .....Badlands, Attica, as examples.

While we have not been out to the Johnson Valley OHV area, it is definitely on our list of places to visit on our planned trip in 2009. When we travel to offroad parks or wheeling areas we not only spend money on fuel to get there, but we pay for fuel while we are there.....We also spend money on groceries, lodging, any repairs that are needed, etc. in the local area of the place we are visiting. There are many others who do the same, which supports the local economy.

I strongly believe in our priviledge of enjoying our public lands and also strongly encourage you to consider other alternatives to the Johnson Valley OHV area.

Thank you

Steve Stroud

Anytime public land is closed, memories are lost. Those memories consist of those from way back in the day, last year, last week and ultimately from years to come. JV is great place for people to unwind, get together, have fun, enjoy the outdoors and time with the family. I only hope that I get a chance to make the journey across the US to be able to experience this beautiful place first hand with my wife and daughters at my side. All I can do right now is live through the experiences, stories, pics and wonderfull videos of the area. Keep em coming guys. This place has it all.

Please don't infringe upon this great place of recreation and togetherness. It needs to be around for years to come!

Steve Powers
gawag@comcast.net

I think that many people were working, had this been later, there would have been several more replies. 1500 replies is kind of weak, but I could not get in due to being at work.

Im just getting home now. Things blew up at work today. Im sorry I could make the rally. The hammers are not near my home but I hear the storys all the same. I really want to go to the hammers very soon. I was hoping within the next year. I feel like if I dont hurry up and go to all the wheeling destinations on my list within the next year or so they will get closed before I get there. :( I have a trip to Tellico planned but thats not looking good either. With all the land closures and fuel prices going up its just keeps getting harder and harder to find good places to go fourwheeling.


Please, let us keep the little bit of land we have left.

I cannot believe this BS, thousands of people on this BB and we get less then 1,500 replies. That sucks in my opinion !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :mad3::mad3::mad3:

Oops it was slammed the last couple hours, try'd multple times to add pics etc. couldn't get through.

As a military member and as a member of the off-road community more specifically a person who has been stationed as Camp Pendleton, Ca I have a difficult time believing the military does not have enough space to provide training missions or training resources that it needs to take possibly one of the worlds greatest off-road wonders and restrict it from the use of the public domain.

I have spent much of what little time off I get from serving my country enjoying the use of its recreational facilities. I have enjoyed its beauty and wonder, my friends have invested years of time, and some have memorials there. More importantly people have chosen to have their ashes spread there. To me that is a symbol that it should remain available for the public to enjoy.

I have run the Rubicon and many of Moab's trails with my brother. I would like to have the opportunity to run the Hammers with my brother some day. The USMC annexing the Hammers area would have a very negative impact on the local area's economy and ecological factors. The USMC will be forced to comply with a myriad of environmentally extremist rules that would negate any benefits of obtaining the area for its training. They need to work with the other agencies on using training areas and to better use their own. KEEP THE HAMMERS WITH THE PUBLIC!

Mike

I am sorry that I missed the official Rally, I have sent emails to the USMC, about how important it is to keep these trails open. Even more important now that the KOH race has been so succesfull.

I cannot believe this BS, thousands of people on this BB and we get less then 1,500 replies. That sucks in my opinion !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :mad3::mad3::mad3:


1600 replies during normal Business hours, to me thats pretty impressive!:smokin:

Presence shown. Thanx to all that participated.:smokin: I personally know at least 50 people that would have been there if they could. Times 1500? You do the math.

Now cross you fingers.

Don't let us down Uncle Sam!

Easy.

I unfortunatly have not been to the Hammers. But the next time I am out that way I do plan on going.

Please keep Johnson Valley open for me and my children (and there children!!) to enjoy. Loosing this treasure would be a major blow. I am a proud supporter if our military, but there has to be a better solution than this!

Oops it was slammed the last couple hours, try'd multple times to add pics etc. couldn't get through.

yup...I was able to follow it pretty closely and multiple times I timed out trying to get to the thread.

This is a shot from the top of Big Johnson, Saturday of the King of the Hammer's weekend. It was a beautiful day for wheeling!! :bounce: We love Johnson Valley!!

Dear Sir or Madam,

Off Highway Recreation is a sport that does more than provide a means of entertainment. There are many benefits that may not be as visible, but are very important.

Operating off highway vehicles on public and private lands provides a hobby that friends and families can enjoy together. By traveling the many roads and trails in these lands, parts of this beautiful country that may otherwise not be seen can be readily enjoyed. Camping in these areas allows a chance for children to experience and learn more about nature. While participating in these activities, people can learn how to love and respect the outdoor world.

Groups of people forming OHV clubs provide many benefits to public and private lands. These clubs often organize major events aimed at cleaning trails and removing waste, helping to preserve nature for use by future generations. These clubs also organize events to benefit those outside of the OHV community. These events include blood drives, fundraisers for cancer research and treatment, and drives to provide to those in need such as toys of children.

The Johnson Valley OHV area provides an opportunity for many thousands of people to experience and participate in the benefits mentioned above. Many areas enjoyed by the OHV community are already under attack or have already been removed from public use. To continue this trend by closing the Johnson Valley OHV area to the public would only hurt the families and the communities that this sport survives on.

Please consider these issues in your decisions regarding the Johnson Valley OHV area, and other public recreation areas.

Regards,

Brian Ritchey

I am sorry that I missed the thread. Work does that sometime. I can say that Johnson Valley is the reason that I still wheel. It is spectacular and I will be devistated if it goes away. So many good times have been had, and I want my daughters to see what living in America is all about. Let us keep our freedoms!!!

Most people WORK!
That is true!!!!

I cannot help it if I am old (but not as old a Krusty!!!!!!!:grinpimp:) and retired and collecting my State retirement and S.S.!!!!!!!!

Keep JV open!!!!!!!!!!!!

As the land managers in our country go through the process of updating management plans we are losing recreational opportunities to the wishes and whims of a vocal exclusionist minority - and infiltration of the same to our land management agencies.
It is great to see the turnout here today. Don't stop here - go to the public meetings and let your voice be heard.

please save the Hammers and all the land use areas period. This is the Nation of Freedom so why are we being locked out of or own land. seeing gates on or lands is by far the most depressing and disapointing moments in my life. Is this what our for fathers would have wanted when we came to this country? ask yourself that.

I tried to get on here during that time, was the site down?

I have only had the oppurtunity to visit Johnson Valley once. That being said, I looked forward to future visits. This are is truly special, and unlike anywhere else that I have been. If this area is closed it will be a huge loss to the offroad community. I ask that it remain open. We cannot lose another great place to go for family recreation.

- Josh Famestad

I'm one of the many that have not had the pleasure of wheeling the Hammers yet. But like many, wish to do so someday when the opportunity is available. Right now, driving across the country to ride isn't possible for me. It will never be possible if closed. Please keep the valley open for public access!


Note on the ralley... I lost connection to the server or something, couldn't load anything on pirate4x4. You know it takes a lot of people to do that on a site thats already prepped server side to handle a large load....

As important as military training is, I question the decision to train in a very well known, and very popular, recreation area. I wonder what damage, above and beyond the footprint recreational users leave, will occur to such a beautiful place to visit.

I have not been to Johnson Valley itself. I frequently look to pictures taken by other outdoor enthusiasts, and dream of the day that I can enjoy the valley and all that it has to offer. From looking at the pictures of Johnson Valley, I can look to several other areas of the nation that would fit the military's requirements for a training area. Some of them here in the Pacific Northwest. Most of these areas are not too far from current military installations, and would not encroach on current recreational areas.


I ask that the United States Marine Corps look to other areas for training purposes.

I too missed the rally, I have never been to Johnson Valley but would like to some day, as I am sure many people have not been but would like an opportunity to go. What happen to America the land of the free? It seems we have lost that somewhere along the way,more and more of our rights are being taken away and our land too, If you take Johnson Valley away what will be next? My house, your house, this has to stop America before it is too late! Being a veteran I understand the armed forces need training, I am sure you have the resources for that already. KEEP JOHNSON VALLEY OPEN

Regards Brian

We all love the "Hammers"...............a lot of money is brought into the local towns over the year......every year! Please do not take this away from us as we do not have many areas like this left to enjoy and four wheel.

Thanks, Odie.

Sorry I missed the official rally due to work obligations...

After a few aborted trip attempts, I was finally able to make it to JV for the '08 KOH and LOVED it. We are already planning for a '08 fall trip and the '09 KOH and will continue to reutrn for as many years as we can.

Please keep Johnson Valley open.

I was unable to make it to the first rally but glad to be given the opportunity to post here.

Larry and I bought our Jeep YJ in 1996 and in a years time we decided that we needed to join a 4 Wheel Drive Club to make friends and become acquainted with all the trails both local and far away. We joined the Inland Empire 4 Wheelers and immerced ourselves in the sport which gave us an out from work and allowed us to spend quality time together.

By 1998, 4 Wheeling became a full forced passion and we did everything we could to be a part it. I went for the scenery and the socializing and Larry took those things a step further. He went for the opportunity to test his ability as a driver and to test his equipment.

The ultimate challenge in 4 wheeling at the time were the fairly new trails built in Johnson Valley by the Victor Valley 4 Wheelers. If you wanted to test yourself and your rig, this was the place you had to go.

Our first trip to the "Hammers" was with Steve Brown aka TANKOTA and our first trail that we conquered was Sledehammer. What a thrill! I could not believe what we were putting our jeep through. But this was what all the money on tires, lift, suspension, axles and lockers was for. I enjoyed the time we spent on this technical rock crawling and I was proud of the way my husband pushed himself and his driving capabilities.

As time passed, we went to every Fun in the Desert Event hosted by the Victor Valley Club and on occasion helped the club out by either working or leading a trail. We wanted to be more involved with the sport of rock crawling and Larry was able to do so by becoming a judge and volunteering for the first rock crawling competitions held in JV by both ARCA and ProRock as yearly as 1999.

After becoming a competitor himself in 2003 and the many years we've spent in Johnson Valley rock crawling, this hobby I can say has most definitely put us in the extremely passionate category. Our life has truly been wrapped around the sport. From the jeep we built from stock up, to the rock buggy we bought, to the diesel tow vehicle we purchased, to the motor home we needed, the open trailer and of course the enclosed trailer we had to have, the 4 wheel drive Tacoma we bought for our daughter and equipped it to the hilt. All things that we do from weekend getaways to full blown vacations...we usually pick with 4 wheeling in mind.

It would be devastating to lose these great trails that helped us get into rock crawling in the first place. I would hate to see how our lives might change if we didn't have a place like the "Hammers" to go to that is so close for us. I certainly hope that the 29 Palms Marine Base will take into consideration all the people who use the area for recreation. So many of us who love motorized recreation have been forced out of places we've been able to wheel before...this would certainly be a hard pill to swallow.

Regards,
Cheri McRae
Inland Empire 4 Wheelers
CA4WDC
Banning, CA

Some of the fun times we've had:
Sledge Hammer 1999
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/chrnlar/Sledgehammer1999.jpg
Wrecking Ball 2000
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/chrnlar/WB_Lar_10_00-1.jpg
Competition 2004, Cougar Buttes
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/chrnlar/CourgarButtes9-04.jpg
All Pro Tacoma Run 2006 Fissure Mountain Trail
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/chrnlar/FissureMountain06.jpg
Claw Hammer at the Fun In the Desert Event 2007
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/chrnlar/FITD07.jpg

With all due respect to the USMC, I would like to see Johnson Valley remain open. From what I hear, I HAVE to go there and would embrace the opportunity. There are SO FEW areas that have extreme trails and opportunities for competitions and similar events, I think it would be a crime to close the area.

With it's proximity to the highly populated areas of Southern California and Las Vegas, I can't imagine an area like this getting closed esp. without an equivalent (if there is such a thing?) area being opened. I've heard from friends I'm headed there this fall and would like the opportunity to take my licks on the various 'hammer' trails.

Please keep the Johnson Valley area open and find an alternative site for the USMC range.

Just got home, I like bacon have never been to the Hammers. I'd love to have the chance to go.

Looking at the times I got to the other thread right about the time this one was started, better late than never.

I'm on the opposite side of the country but hope to wheel the hammers someday. Lets pray that it's still there when the time comes.

Well maintained by four-wheelers through decades. Now the Marines want to blow it to smithereens?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2124/2330305306_a9ae4e60dd_b.jpg

I've only been to the hammers once, but it has motivated me to spend God only knows how many hours and money building a rig just to take there, and was by far the best time I've ever had going anywhere in California. Please don't take that away from us. It's the best wheeling I've ever experienced . . . ever.

good work kurt. i think it's really cool to see that there are so many people on the land use forum for once (100 viewing at 9:45 pm is impressive!) and see that so many people are starting to realize that their trails are closing and that we can all do something about it. way to go everyone who is starting to get involved.

Got home at 3:30 today, logged in started typing, finished typing at around 4:00. I hit submit reply AND













I was told to log in, I did again, tried to post again and the same thing happened and I had to get to work so I left frustrated unable to do my part to save the Hammers. So here is a quickie version of what I tried to post twice earlier.

1. I support the United States armed forces including family and friends that are currently serving or are retired/veteran.
2. I've been building my Samurai for close to 3 years.
3. Invested close to $9000 for the vehicle, parts, and tools. Still not finished yet.
4. Started building this vehicle with the intention of taking it to The Rubicon, and Fordyce. Then the Hammers, and then to Moab UT so I could run lions back, dump bump and at least try potato salad hill. OOPS, I guess I don't build fast enough. Thank you, Logan.

I have not been to the hammers yet either, but want to have the chance in the near feauture. Jonson valley is a trademark to the offroading community and I would hate to see it go.

PS: We should have done this for Paragon!

Got home at 3:30 today, logged in started typing, finished typing at around 4:00. I hit submit reply AND













I was told to log in, I did again, tried to post again and the same thing happened and I had to get to work so I left frustrated unable to do my part to save the Hammers. ................ Logan.

You weren't the only one bro. We were heard, but keep the stories coming, in case there is a doubt.:)

Easy.

I have dreamed of going to Johnson Valley for at least 10 years, I was near there once, but not with the rig so i didnt get to enjoy the area. I really hope that the area can be kept open for not only myself, but for others in the future. the OHV lands seem to be last on the list to keep open, and targeted first for closure. I hope that theres is a soultion. I really dont understand why public lands cant be kept public. there are pleanty of other un usable areas that the gov could take over. why does it always seem that they want to take the last few places we legally can go OHVing. people will start going illeagly to other places and causing more problems. BLM allows the use of OHV to responsible users. we stay on trails inside boundries, and most of us clean up our messes as well as others we see. we are not allowed fires but in certian areas, yet the gov can run all over the land, basically destroying it and any thing in its path. they will have real live fire training that could further impact the area if fires get out of control. not to mention the local bussiness will be majorly hit if the area is closed

I hope my reply makes a difference.

Best of luck Johnson Valley!

I wish I could have posted in the rally...work was busy and every time I tried the server woyuldn't let me in...

I like to say that the Hammers are a second home. I always look forward to the good times shared amongst friends in JV, and I can appreciate the beauty of a land many consider desolate. It gives us opportunities to spend quality time with our families away from the grind in the greater Los Angeles area.

The Closure of JV to the off road community would be a tragic loss, and I would be very disapointed to know that my children will never be able to experience the open desert and box canyons of Johnson Valley like I did as a kid...

I'd like to see them stay open. I haven't been yet, but would like to... at which time I'd be spending my hard earned dollars in their state.

Could not get on during the rally Server to busy so gave up till now. been to the hammers once came home and rebuilt spending thousands to be able to run every thing there.. Don't understand why they the USMC needs this area to bomb. There is plenty of other desert areas. Save the Hammers for OHV it provides recreation for so many.
Marty Helton
Kingman,AZ

its understandable that alot of people were at work or school!! we all wanted to participate for the cause!!

i got a couple of post in there and i know the last couple of hours were kinda hectick i couldnt get through in a couple of occasions so i can vouch for that!!

lets keep the second posting up and im proud to have partisipated in this vurtual rally to try to save the off road mecca everyone loves for us and future generations!!!:smokin:

Honestly, I've never been there,only read reports and seen photos. But seeing how many people love JV so much, there must be something so special about it that I want to check for myself when I get a chance. A place that produces such a huge quantity of happiness should not be closed period.
thanks

I to was unable to post in the rally thread, so better late than never. I have never been to jv but its allways been a top place on my list of "to do's" when i get a chance away from work. It is a vital part of the off roading community, and i would hate for myself, and others to never get to experience it.

The board was flaking out yesterday when I tried to post before I left work. Please keep these trails open for our public. I have never been wheeling out west, but JV would be the first place I would go, and hope to one day.

I tried to post after work and couldn't get a pipe. Congratulations, as suspected the outcry from our community seems to have crashed the server.

This is but another example of how a good clean family hobby is being threatened on all fronts. While I respect the need for the Marines to have sufficient training sites, its a big sandbox out there, and I'm sure they can find somewhere else to expand.

I too completely support our troops and their need to train. But the Johnson Valley is too important in helping so many civilians keep their sanity!
I have not yet run the Hammers, but hope to someday with my TJ. I do however, frequently go to the johnson valley to hike, camp, and four wheel.
It would leave a giant hole in my life and my families lives if it were no longer available.:bawling:

Scott

Keep the Hammers as they are, open to the public for use.

I have been fortunate enough to camp and ride along 4wheeling with some of the local groups that frequent Johnson Valley. It is one of my most memorable wheeling experiences. I hope to one day bring my own vehicle there to test it's ability and my own.

I have visited many off road destinations, from Alaska to Mexico, and the Hammers is truly a one of a kind spot. The difficulty of the dessert terrain there is a rare testing ground for the sport of 4x4ing, and there is no replacement for it. Please do not close this area.

Cris in Colorado

Missed the Rally. No good excuse. DOH!

I attended the Warn Rock Crawling Championships in 99 at the Hammers. I had a 75 Dodge Ramcharger and thought I was pretty hardcore with it. What I learned is I was only a little tough on it occasionally.

The Hammer trails are incredible. I now own a 66 WelderBill't Bronco Rockbuggy that is worthy, but have not made it out there yet. I sure hope to be able to go out and enjoy the intense trails.

I have been fortunate to visit the hammers once after many years of dreaming and reading about them. This area is legendary. It would be a tragedy to lose it.

At a time when there are few alternatives to the vises of life I think it is important to provide recreation that requires physical and mental exercise. The engineering and judgement skills that rockcrawling require are great character building opportunities. The hammers provide a challenge that is unique to any other recreation area I am aware of.

As a graduate in landscape architecture and environmental planning, I feel that the recreation area that currently exists is the best use for this land due to the unique experience it provides.

Please grant me the opportunity to enjoy this area with my family and friends in the future.

Respectfully submitted,
Leorn

Tried to join the board yesterday when I got home from work and it wouldn't let me.
I've never been to the Hammers. I love watching the videos and looking at pictures of the trails hoping I will get a chance to run them myself.
Please keep Johnson Valley and The Hammers open to the public.

I’m sorry I missed the rally. I tried logging in right at the tail end but I was unable to access the thread.

It appears things went well and it’s good to see so many pulled together. Here’s what I wanted to post:

I want to start by saying I really enjoyed watching the recent King of the Hammers race and I hope there are more to come.

Personally I’ve never been to Johnson Valley but it’s always been somewhat of a goal of mine to make it there someday. For years I’ve wanted to build my rig up so I can spend a few days out in Johnson Valley without breaking down (hopefully :D) and I’m still working towards that goal.

I always assumed Johnson Valley was going to be there whenever I got around to making the trip and it’s disappointing to see that may not be the case. I also really wanted to make it to Surprise Canyon someday but that’s no longer an option, nor is Paragon Adventure Park, and from the looks of things the Rubicon Trail may not be around forever either.

I truly appreciate the USMC, but I hope no one looks at this land closure from the perspective that we have plenty of places to 4 wheel and it’s really not a big deal for us to lose this land. That’s simply not the case.

All of our public lands are currently under fire and we’re losing trails at an alarming rate. Moab for example, which is closest to me, comes under fire on a regular basis. The new Moab Resource Management Plan will be finalized this summer and we stand to lose between 3300 and 3900 miles of existing trails!

Furthermore, there is no other Johnson Valley. The same is true with all of our trails, they’re unique and irreplaceable.

Please keep Johnson Valley open and stop taking our trails away from us.

"I'm Jim Hillburn and live in Southern Mississippi. While I've not yet made it to "The Hammers" of Johnson Valley, it is on my list of places to go. I am a 43 year veteran of the OHV Family in that I started racing off road motorcycles in 1965, at age 7, today, at 50, I've raised two kids on dirtbikes and have introduced both to Jeeps and 4x4 activities. I, hope to and, look forward to raising my two grandchilden (in the oven) in the same manner. The Off Road Community, all aspects, is under attack and we must all band together to fight for our right to traverse the public lands of our great country.
I have seen, repeatedly, closures based on faulty and incorrect stats, in several cases, these stats were proven to be incorrect yet the closures were pushed forward and the areas closed remain closed. We must unite, combine our resources and attack these procedures by forcing the gov't to recognize us and our wishes rather than folding and "settlling" the with the EcoNuts and others that wish to see us removed from National Forest and Public Lands.

Write to your representatives, Governors, Senators, Congressmen, Regional, and District USFS Rangers, Land Managers.. Below are some exerpts suggests by the ARRA, feel free to elaborate on each. Keep your comments professional, factual and too the point.

Some points that you can make in your email:

I understand that OHV use should be managed, but I want to be clear that wholesale closure does not equal effective management.
OHV recreation is a legitimate use of federal lands, and has been recognized as such by federal land managers.
OHV recreation can be managed and sustainable, while also providing a valuable recreational experience for OHV enthusiasts.
Motorized recreation is a family activity that offers an opportunity for parents and children to experience all that our public lands have to offer in a unique manner.
It is also important for you to include some personal experiences in your testimony. If you enjoy riding in your local Forest, please say so, and include the name of the Forest and where you live. If you have to drive great distances to access public lands to ride, please include that as well.

This is an opportunity to officially weigh in with an important Subcommittee and have real impact. Please do not let it pass by.

I recommend joining groups like the Blue Ridge Coalition- www.sharetrails.org, Americans for Responsible Recreational Access-http://www.arra-access.com/arra/home.html, Del Albright-www.delalbright.com, sign up and receive their Action Alerts and Follow Through with them.

Jim and Sandra Hillburn
Wheelin the World, 1x2 & 4x4
jim1157@bellsouth.net
Ocean Springs, MS

Been to the Hammers before and would hate to see such a rare place closed for future use.

Our sport is loosing so many of our available trails that we will soon be out of options. This is not "a" trail. This would be loosing an entire area that has been instrumental in forming our sport.

Please keep it open.

Thanks.

Keep the Hammers open as I want to be able to drive there in the near future when I finally make it back over. Done Moab, Hammers and Rubicon are the goal for the next trip. Well done to everyone for taking a stand. Trail closures are a world wide problem and us 4wders have to do something to ensure the future of the hobby.

Sorry I couldn't get on yesterday to the offical thread

I've been there a couple of times with my son and nieces. Did you here that? "With my son and nieces." Those kids will remember the time they had there for the rest of their lives. And it was outside! Not in front of a screen! I appreciate the militarty but in this case I'd really like to see them train somewhere else. Please.

I was able to post in the rally thread but Imageshack was being ghey so I wasnt able to include pics, so this is a repost with the pics.
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Last April I made my first trip to The Hammers in Johnson Valley. I live over 1200 miles away, but had heard how challenging the trails are and knew I had to go. It turned out to be the greatest wheeling trip I've ever been on and an experience I'll never forget. I was shocked when I read it may be closed. This is an unbelievable rock crawling area and it would be a real shame to never be able to go there again. Please dont take the Hammers away from us.

Hope to see everyone for the Bender run in April.

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and one for Kyle
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We have been going for over 20 years and have two generations of family that love the place. We have been closing serveral military bases why expand into the 2nd largest OHV park? I support the military and even make my living by repairing fitness equipment on Camp Pendleton but we oppose the expansion into our desert paradise. Where will the next generation be able to ride and enjoy the desert and amazing scenery and clear stars. Please please hear our voices and find another solution to taking away my hobby my fathers hobby ( world war 2 vet that fought for freedom ) and my childrens favorite past time riding our motorcycles and our dunebuggy. We have had 17 different families camp with us in the desert and always keep the desert clean. Hear our voices I beg you!! :shaking: :shaking: :shaking:

To whom it may concern,
Living the American Dream, enjoying our American Land Of The Free. From past generations to the generations to come we have always enjoyed our free land. My grandfather rest in peace was a WWII soldier that love the outdoors/camping. From my grandparents to my parents to myself to my childern and so on we should all be able to enjoy our land the land of the free the land that my grandfather fought for. The Hammer's in Johnson Valley is a great place for our kids to enjoy and experience the great outdoors. My family organizes family reunions every month and 90% of the time it's to go camping. We are talking about 1 grandmother, 18 aunts and uncles, 54 cousins/grandkids, 17 great-grandkids, and that's just one side of the family.
Do the math X2, that's generations of enjoying the great outdoors.
We ask with all our heart to PLEASE SAVE THE HAMMER'S AT JOHNSON VALLEY. Please have a heart and think about our/your kids.
Thank you for your valuable time,
JOE V

please keep the PUBLIC land open so my kids and there kids can enjoy it as i enjoy it, now and hope to for years to come. happy moging.:skull::beer:

As a member of the "Tin Benders" 4-wheel drive organization, I spend a fair amount of time in Johnson Valley. We, as a club, use the Johnson Valley OHV Area for both recreation, and for "work". When I say work, I mean the work, effort, energy expended, to fight to save public lands from closures that are the result of prejudiced individuals who are against motorized recreation.

As a rational, educated member of society I understand that there are reasons for land to be closed. I willingly support designating lands as "Wilderness", assuming there is a good reason, a valid point.

This is a situation where many of us are divided. I love Johnson Valley. It offers a terrain type that is optimal for our style of wheeling, a terrain that is quickly being taken from us, leaving us with fewer and fewer places to recreate. I could go on about how taking our few remaining areas designated as OHV impacts our land more negatively because of the forced increase of the density of OHV's causing more extensive damage, but I will spare you the sermon.

Having heard about the possible closure of Johnson Valley to OHV use in favor of expanding a military installation I instantly knew this would be an explosive topic (pun intended).

I work for the Department of Defense, at the Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division, Chinalake, CA. I can see both sides of the story, so to speak. Having read comments on the article written, I am having difficulty not ranting and raving. I find it unbelievably frustrating, the things that are being said. There is nothing worse than a liberal that doesn't support our country's President, the War, or our Troops, calling outdoor enthusiasts "traitors". Suggesting that we take our "Jeeps" to Iraq and see the trails, see how our "Jeeps" deal with IED's is sick. How dare you. We are all Americans. We live together, we work together. We are part of the same economy. Our Soldiers, our Troops, are over seas, "In Theater" as we refer to it were I work, fighting everyday and risking their lives, for our freedom. When I'm done today with my report that is going to be sent "to theater" tonight, shall I send them a note letting our troops know that some liberal would like to see more Americans function check some IED's? Oh and by the way I work at JCIF(Pronounced "Jay-sif"), the Joint Counter IED Facility at Chinalake.

Ok, so now I've written a book, and raised my blood pressure 100% neither of which was my intent.

It all boils down to this:

Johnson Valley OHV Area is used by many people from all different walks of life. It's used both as a recreational area for getting away from "the city", and as a tool, to help raise awareness, and fight illegal land closures. Taking this land would prove exceedingly detrimental to those that use it, and those that live near it and depend on the revenue it generates.

--Phillip Burum

I'm a business owner in Folsom Ca, and I love to take my friends and family on offroad vacations. We frequent the Rubicon Trail, and many others. We have been planning a trip to the Hammers in Johnson Valley now for over 3 years. This land is very important to all offroad enthusiest and would greatly be appreciated if left that way. We are really looking forward to our vaction on the hammers trail and we hope you here our voices to keep this trail open for public enjoyement!
Best Regards,
Dan Dreher
Folsom Recreation Corporation
Folsom Ca
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f354/Folsomlakebowl/SD532352.jpg

Woke up to this this morning. Wife says "you should read this." Read it? I'm a part of it, made second page in the rally.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/2333593734_e373182a3f_b.jpg

not too fond of the header, but the article is overall good once you read it and doesn't make anyone look bad or anything. pretty much states the obvious, off-roaders support the military, but don't want the land taken away, tough call for everyone!

Hey guys, I'm new here, but many of you know me from DezertRangers and Race-Dezert.

Anyways, I've only been to the Johnson Valley OHV area a handful of times in my life, but I will say they were some of the most fun and memorable times I've ever had. As you all know, Johnson Valley is one of very few off road areas we have left in Southern California, and I don't think the off road community can afford to lose it. If Johnson Valley is closed to OHVs, off road racing as we know it might stop all together in Southern California, and that means the millions of dollars spent on the sport each year here will go elsewhere (Primarily, Southern Nevada and Mexico). Johnson Valley is a wonderful area for all types of Off Road recreation, whether it be motorcycles, atv's, buggies, trucks, jeeps, rock crawlers or golf carts, there is something for everyone there. The Off Road community has been fighting to keep this land for vehicular recreation for a very long time and I don't think it'd be fair for the military to just come in and pull it out from under us.



Sincerely,
Casey Raymond.

Woke up to this this morning. Wife says "you should read this." Read it? I'm a part of it, made second page in the rally.
not too fond of the header, but the article is overall good once you read it and doesn't make anyone look bad or anything. pretty much states the obvious, off-roaders support the military, but don't want the land taken away, tough call for everyone!


Controversy sells papers, papers move politics.We need to continue to create controversy.

It's a good article.

great press so far

i have never been to the hammers, but after reading about the KOH this year i fully plan on going next year.

I was one that missed the rally. but after seeing the pics I know for sure that I live on the wrong coast. Save Hammers. its a core for wheeling and everyone has the right to see it even if I never will.

My father use to take the family out to JV in the 70's & 80's to camp & explore the whole area, from the dunes, lake beds, 4x4 trails, mines & petroglyphs to general enjoyment of the unique high desert beauty. I just got him back out there for the AllPro FJ Challenge & we are already planning more adventures in the area. After seeing the pictures my 3 year old boys are asking me everyday when the next trip will be. Please don't close this very unique & highly versatile area. Keep Johnson Valley open to the PUBLIC!!


The trails are not just for hardcore rigs, but even some well equipped family wagons!:D
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My father enjoying the views from the top of Claw.
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There are very few things I ever protest but the loss of Johnson Valley, as a recreational area, seems worth it to me. There are plenty of areas the Marines could use for training without taking one of the best off road areas away from the good people of California. In fact 29 Palms isn’t that far away and Fort Irwin looks a lot like Iraq already. It was good enough for Patton to train to fight the Germans in North Africa. In fact if they decided to annex some of the desert land closer to the border between the US and Mexico maybe we could save some money for the US border patrol. I understand the need for training and support our military, as have all the generations of my family as far back as World war one. My Grandfather served in Europe in World War One, My Father Served in Germany in World War Two, I served in Viet Nam and my Son has been to Iraq. We gave our time and service to our country and were proud to do it. It would be an injustice to have that same military and same country take a recreation area away from us now that we have time to enjoy it. Haven’t we given enough?

I just saw this thread. I am an avid 4x4 hobbiest and Active Duty military. I understand the need for national security and training areas, but I also understand that California and Nevada are huge states that have vast open expanses of land that are not used by anyone. I hope that the USMC and the DoD thinks about those constituents it defends and reconsiders this proposal.

btt great reading