CLOSURE-South Park Canyon Bridge...

[OTR]

Some of you have probably heard the rumors by now, but they are not rumors. I spoke with Craig Beck at the Ridgecrest BLM office on Monday and this is confirmed.

Last week the BLM erected signs limiting the crossing of South Park Canyon bridge in the Panamint Mountains to motorcycles and ATV's only. This is the result of an inspection by the BLM State engineer. The engineer wanted the bridge closed completely, the Ridgecrest BLM office wanted to keep some access, and this is the result.

Photo:nclrclub.org



DO NOT CROSS THE BRIDGE IN ANY "FULL SIZE" VEHICLE

I have received word that if any vehicles other than motorcycles and ATV's are caught crossing, or even worse, if another vehicle rolls or has any other problems between the signs it may result in a complete closure of the route between the signs.

Do not be the person that gets South Park Canyon closed to everyone else.

The possibility of reopening the route to "full size" vehicles in the future still exists. It will be a long process and ignoring the signs would be counter-productive to any future efforts.


Access to upper South Park Canyon and Middle Park Canyon is still available by way of the road up Pleasant Canyon to the north.


John Stewart of the "California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs" composed a letter to Hector Villalobos, Field Office Manager at the Ridgecrest office of the BLM stating the position of Cal4Wheel on the loss of access on the road...

May 3, 2011

Hector Villalobos
Field Manager
Bureau of Land Management
Ridgecrest Field Office

300 S. Richmond Rd.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555


Subject: South Park to Pleasant Canyon Loop Route

Mr. Villalobos:
This letter is to express California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs concern over recent administrative actions and encourage Bureau of Land Management to enter into planning to accomplish the necessary route upgrades and repairs necessary to keep the South Park to Pleasant Canyon loop open to all motorized vehicles.

While the main focus of CA4WDC is to protect, promote, and provide for motorized recreation opportunities on public and private lands, many of our members participate in multiple forms of recreation; including but not limited to hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, horseback riding, bicycle riding, and gem and mineral collection.

We recognize the positive health and social benefits that can be achieved through outdoor activities. We also recognize that motorized recreation provides the small business owners in the local communities a significant financial stimulus. And, our members are directly affected by management decisions concerning public land use.

Our members subscribe to the concepts of: 1) public access to public lands for their children and grandchildren; 2) condition and safety of the environment; and 3) sharing our natural heritage. The general public desires access to public lands now and for future generations. Limiting access today deprives our children the opportunity to view the many natural wonders of public lands. The general public is deeply concerned about the condition of the environment and personal safety. They desire wildlife available for viewing and scenic vistas to enjoy. They also want to feel safe while enjoying these natural wonders. Lastly, the public desires to share the natural heritage with friends and family today as well as in the future. How can our children learn and appreciate our natural heritage when native species are allowed to deteriorate and historic routes are routinely blocked or eradicated from existence? A major part of CA4WDC is providing motorized recreation opportunity to the public through its numerous events throughout the state.

One highly popular event is Panamint Valley Days (PVD), which has completed 25 successful years. Panamint Valley Days held each fall under Special Recreation Permit issued by BLM Ridgecrest Field Office uses a number of designated routes in the region during its event. One of the more popular trails rides is the South Park to Pleasant Canyon loop. It was recently revealed that this particular route has been closed to full-sized vehicles due to safety concerns with a bridge. Meanwhile, the route does remain fully open to Side by Sides, ATV's, and motorcycles consistent with BLM and National Park Service use designation of the route.

Contact with the Ridgecrest BLM Field Office indicates the access across the bridge section has been administratively limited to lighter weight vehicles with concurrence of the BLM State Engineer until appropriate actions can be accomplished to stabilize and strengthen the section.

CA4WDC has used this route as part of its annual PVD event for the past 25 years. This route offers an opportunity for novice and intermediate skilled driver to view historic mining operations in the region and opportunities for other recreation pursuits such as rock hounding, photography and wildlife viewing.

CA4WDC strives to promote responsible recreation through education as a component of their events. The loss of routes like this hinder the ability of CA4WDC to promote the educational component where driving skills are stressed which results in lessening of future resource damage.

CA4WDC encourages BLM to review their position on the route and enter into planning to accomplish the necessary route upgrades and repairs necessary to keep the South Park to Pleasant Canyon loop open to all motorized vehicles. CA4WDC is willing to discuss public-private partnership opportunities to accomplish the actions necessary to keep this route as part of the recreation inventory.

Respectfully,
John Stewart
Natural Resources Consultant
California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs
Cc:
Bureau of Land Management, California State Office
Bureau of Land Management, California Desert District

If you would like to voice your concern regarding this closure please send a short, to the point letter to Hector Villalobos at the address at the top of the letter quoted above. Be polite and mention what access thru the area, and loss of that access, means to you.


With the coming heat, travel in the Panamint Valley will subside for the summer. This is good as it gives us time to educate the public and work towards the possibility of re-opening this route. If you are on any other forums or club lists where people that use the area congregate, please spread the word.

Thanks,
k.

[Jes]

Lame.
I drove through there a few weeks ago, seemed the same as it has always been. I'll be sending a letter as South Park/Pleasant is one of my favorite runs out there.
In fact, I wish there was a route from the top down the other side to Butte Valley too.

[Panamint Charlie]

Originally Posted by Jes

In fact, I wish there was a route from the top down the other side to Butte Valley too.

IIRC There was. It was closed many years ago.

[bakerhab2003]

Harry spoke to the Ridgecrest Field Office Manager about this yesterday. He was told that based on the results of an inspection by the state BLM, (due to concerns over recent rollovers) the bridge and the corner known as Chicken Rock, have been closed to all vehicles EXCEPT ATC's and motorcycles. The signs are placed approximately a quarter mile above Chicken Rock and below the bridge. According to the BLM Manager, there is safe turnaround room at both of the sign placements.

Harry was told that there will be another inspection and review by July. However, the Manager stated that this was a public safety issue and within his authority to close this portion of the road now.

Harry suggested that it would be in the BLM's best interest to put out a press release informing the public of this action and that the sign placement was problematic, as it did not give enough notice that the route, long used as a through route was now closed in the middle. The BLM Manager agreed with both conclusions.

Besides the ramifications of this closure to the traveling public, it has a major impact on Cal 4 Wheel's Panamint Valley Days, as both Pleasant Canyon and South Park are both used as through runs during this event.

One correction to Cal 4 Wheel's information, is that Harry was told that Side by Sides were included in the closure, and prohibited from traversing this approximately quarter mile portion of the road.

Solutions need to be found for this closure and joint work projects have been undertaken between agencies and user groups in the past. This is someting that will be pursued will vigor.

[hkunz93308]

Helen,
What is it that they need? An engineer to redesign the bridge, or the whole "Chicken" turn? Labor? Materials? Or do they know?

Thanks!
Mike
FOPV

[DLD]

Originally Posted by Jes

Lame.
I drove through there a few weeks ago, seemed the same as it has always been.

Photos from that trip, the very end of March 2011:


I thought the bridge looked better now then it did in back in 2007, here is a photo of it from March 2011:


And the Chicken Rock Corner, I think you would have to make a big driving mistake to fall off the road:

[bakerhab2003]

Originally Posted by hkunz93308

Helen,
What is it that they need? An engineer to redesign the bridge, or the whole "Chicken" turn? Labor? Materials? Or do they know?

Thanks!
Mike
FOPV

Mike, if only it were that simple. I really doubt that whatever happens will involve users and I'm sure that it will cost millions of guvment dollars. I think that it is a good idea to keep in touch with the BLM to help seek solutions, but I don't hold hope that the solutions will come quickly.

Liability (call it safety, if you want) will always trump usage.

[bakerhab2003]

Originally Posted by DLD

And the Chicken Rock Corner, I think you would have to make a big driving mistake to fall off the road:

Mistakes have been made and people have fallen off. S##t happens. Unfortunately we all pay.

[hkunz93308]

Yes, at PVD a couple of years back a gal went too far up the hill, I think it was, and fell off. I know I had to dead stick down it when I ran out of gas on top (long story) and had to be towed all the way to the cabins. I can see how it could be easy to make a bad mistake there.

Has anyone at BLM Ridgecrest begun conversations with user groups at all? I'm not sure 87 phone calls would be productive from our end, but there does need to be enough to get their attention and at least start the process of working on repairs. It can take years to get grant monies in place, but on the bright side, government employee job evaluations do have blocks for financial management and working with the public.

[DLD]

Link to CA4WDC page

[YJ Bill]

That is a great loop, did it first in about 1992. Seems like the bridge has been redone since then. We need to get our own engineer to evaluate it, sounds like just another reason to close a trail.

[lttlbddy]

Originally Posted by hkunz93308

Yes, at PVD a couple of years back a gal went too far up the hill, I think it was, and fell off.

Just to be clear this happened during the PVD weekend but was not part of the event. This group was running the trail on their own.

[navy-jeepster]

Here is a link to the roll-over during the 2009 PVD event.
/forum/eastern-sierra-great-basin/837265-panamint-valley-days.html
As littlbddy mentioned, the group that had the roll-over was over for the event, but on their own run that day.

Todd

[YJ Bill]

Heard on another forum that the greenies were pressuring the BLM to close this completely to all motorized traffic. Either way it was a great loop to do with the famiely. Really hope there is a way to get it back!

[tjmark]

I just called the BLM It looks like it will never see another car... To much $$$

All i got was it is not closed it is still open to 2 wheel veichles..

[YJ Bill]

Originally Posted by tjmark

I just called the BLM It looks like it will never see another car... To much $$$

All i got was it is not closed it is still open to 2 wheel veichles..

That just sucks Mark, the bridge looked fine to me last time I went thru with the TJ!

[broncdawg]

The bridge is strong as can be and is just an excuse for the closure which stems from two rollovers near the bridge. One went off the side as we all know and another rollover miraculously stayed up on the road. Can't blame BLM for needing to avoid liability. Poor decisions led to both accidents and this is a classic example of how poor decisions by a few people will affect everyone. what a shame!!!!

[Jes]

Originally Posted by broncdawg

what a shame!!!!

Definately.
Was the most recent event by a Jeep JK perhaps?

[YJ Bill]

Trail closed because of two rollovers? What are they going to close next?

[tjmark]

Originally Posted by YJ Bill

Trail closed because of two rollovers? What are they going to close next?

The freeway?

[cruzila]

Originally Posted by bakerhab2003

Mistakes have been made and people have fallen off. S##t happens. Unfortunately we all pay.

Helen,

John's letter did not remind BLM that OHMVR has money available for reconstruction of spots like this. We should be pushing hard and not rolling over on this issue. We can find the eco issues hard to argue and win, but this seems a no brainer. GO GET EM!!

What about a special use permit for PVD?? Take this guy out and show him what these vehicles are all about. Time to get involved people!! Somebody take this bull by the horns. This one seems so easy to fix.

Scott

[YJ Bill]

Originally Posted by cruzila

Helen,

John's letter did not remind BLM that OHMVR has money available for reconstruction of spots like this. We should be pushing hard and not rolling over on this issue. We can find the eco issues hard to argue and win, but this seems a no brainer. GO GET EM!!

Scott

I totally agree. BLM is full of crap this time, in my opinion.

[bakerhab2003]

Originally Posted by cruzila

Helen,

John's letter did not remind BLM that OHMVR has money available for reconstruction of spots like this. We should be pushing hard and not rolling over on this issue. We can find the eco issues hard to argue and win, but this seems a no brainer. GO GET EM!!

What about a special use permit for PVD?? Take this guy out and show him what these vehicles are all about. Time to get involved people!! Somebody take this bull by the horns. This one seems so easy to fix.

Scott

Scott,

Your comment should be addressed to the Cal 4 President, Mark Cave. I am only a member, and I only saw John's letter after it was posted here. Mr. Cave would also be the one to contact with questions about PVD's permit.

Cal4 Wheel contact info is available on their website. www.cal4wheel.com

[desertcrawlerrover]

I led a group of Rovers across the bridge the day it got closed -- I can tell you it looked to be in great shape - no worse than when we did it in the past. Sent email to BLM to complain about the closure (especially when you approach it end of day from the top-side) -- they'd said something about posting up a sign in Ballarat to warn people not to attempt the loop. The issue seemed to be that an engineer condemned the bridge -- but reading between the lines the Chicken rock incidents drew attention to it. Was wondering if there were plans in place to remedy the bridge situation -- or is Chicken rock the latest Suprise Canyon type closure?

[YJ Bill]

I think they hired a Sierra Club engineer. We should have an engineer un-condemn it.