Fordyce Closure - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

moon shadow · 07-11-2007, 11:38 PM

I was camping up at Indian Springs campground this past weekend (across the street from the trailhead and the forest service did come up and post a no vehicles or any type of fire on the trails at Indian Springs. It is open for hiking only. In fact they were going to chain it so that you couldn't drive to the staging area even as there were a couple of vehicles in that far. They were calling it phase 2 I guess and it may last for the season.

Tinman · 07-12-2007, 07:46 AM

Phase 2? Did you by any chance get some names of the FS personel that were telling you this? I'd like to check the "Phase 2" thing out.

ErikB · 07-12-2007, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinman

Phase 2? Did you by any chance get some names of the FS personel that were telling you this? I'd like to check the "Phase 2" thing out.

Taken from here:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/news/0..._rationale.pdf

"TNF went into the first level of fire restrictions in early June and additional restrictions as conditions worsened on July 2."

The one that closed "trails" like Fordyce was apparently phase 2.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/docume...strictions.pdf

And yes, Moonshadow- the restrictions last "through the end of the official 2007 fire season."

mudratz · 07-12-2007, 09:56 AM

This is so interesting.

The Angora Tahoe Fire has all but been officially been declaired that is was started by an 'illegal' campfire. Since this is not a 4 wheeling environment, it is being guessed that it was hiker, back packers, or party goers.
So the answer is to close the forest to internal combustion engines.
Yea, that works. Makes total sense to me.
If the soccer fans riot, do not let in any more baseball fans.

Leave the forest open to one of the groups that by all current information, was responsible for the fire.
If the fire danger is truly that high, which I do not believe it is, then why just close it to off roaders and let everyone else in.
Either it is dangerous, or it is not.
I have no doubt that there is a fire danger, but there almost always is. That is why in years past they have imposed fire restrictions and we could only usue camp stoves.

If you remember from other examples in the past. If it is a dry year - they can declair dry conditions and a fire danger. If is a wet year - they can declair excessive growth of vegitation because of the wet, and it is a fire danger.
I guess we can now all get a feel for what descrimination is all about. Because this is it, at its finest.

RngrDv · 07-12-2007, 01:15 PM

I had been planning a trip into Fordyce lake this weekend when I found out about it being closed. I called the Ranger Station for Tahoe Nat. Forest and was told that because of frire restrictions that any road/trail/area that they couldn't get a fire truck into was being closed. I know it isn't fun not being able to go into a place like that but I can understand their stand. After all, they need to protect these areas, not from responsible wheelers, but from those that have "illegal campfires" and such. I also know that the last time I was in at the lake there were a lot of firearms going off as well as a lot of illegal fireworks.
I know they have some huge 6X6 trucks (my shop works on them) that can go places but as far as getting into some of these areas I don't see them able to do it much.

ErikB · 07-12-2007, 01:30 PM

Fordyce/Rattlesnake Road into Fordyce Lake is still open, you can still make your camping trip.

TheWolf · 07-12-2007, 01:47 PM

Is the Pierce OHV area (near Fordyce Trail) still open?

numtel · 07-12-2007, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWolf

Is the Pierce OHV area (near Fordyce Trail) still open?

Apparently not if you can't even go into the staging area.

NOODLES · 07-12-2007, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWolf

Is the Pierce OHV area (near Fordyce Trail) still open?

you are apparently missing something if you have not figured this out yet.

OOP'S · 07-12-2007, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numtel

Apparently not if you can't even go into the staging area.

There are other ways to get in there besides going through the staging area. But do not do it, it is closed. This is all that is open "Prosser Pit area near Truckee; and the Sugar Pine OHV area north of Foresthill." I guess this means that Mammoth Bar on the American River is closed, that is in Placer County.

RngrDv · 07-12-2007, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErikB

Fordyce/Rattlesnake Road into Fordyce Lake is still open, you can still make your camping trip.

So where is this road? It isn't the one from Cisco Grove is it?

What about the road that goes around the lake that the Boy Scout Camp is on. How far does that road go?

BRENTWADE · 07-12-2007, 11:48 PM

I went to run Fordyce this past weekend and I was unloading at the staging area when a female park range came up in her green chevy truck and ran me out and said the trail is closed to all OHV because we are a fire danger

Tinman · 07-13-2007, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RngrDv

So where is this road? It isn't the one from Cisco Grove is it?

What about the road that goes around the lake that the Boy Scout Camp is on. How far does that road go?

Rattlesnake is the road that starts off to the right as you enter the Cisco Grove campground. It's right before you past their gate house.

Not sure about the other road you're' talking about.

Anybody?

ErikB · 07-13-2007, 10:36 AM

The roads up there to Lake Sterling and Lola Montez lakes should all be open since they are forest service and private property roads. Only "trails" like Fordyce are closed. "Roads" are all open. There are lots of roads up there to explore around on. Dunno if this link will work...

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...,0.214233&z=13

8Superman · 07-13-2007, 05:56 PM

So they are going to close the trail during the summer months with high fire hazards?

atvobsession · 07-13-2007, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8Superman

So they are going to close the trail during the summer months with high fire hazards?

The forest is ALWAYS a high fire danger..EVERY YEAR...it's California. I just can't believe how deep this level of anti-OHV goes...

91advrunner · 07-13-2007, 09:05 PM

the roads to lola montez, sterling, and fordyce lake are open. signal peak and the comitee or river crossing is closed. this is an eye witness account

SmashR · 07-14-2007, 06:34 PM

Anyone know when or approximately when the fire season will end? When it does end will 4x4s again be allowed to traverse the Fordyce Trail?

PizzaFarno · 07-14-2007, 07:08 PM

its really hard to say... it changes every year

ramv · 07-15-2007, 02:29 PM

In Canada they started doing these temporary fire closures in 2001. People didn't squeal too badly and now they have closed the entire area permanently.

This needs to be squashed asap.

Here is some of the Canada pics, and a little info

/forum/general-4x4-discussion/594568-cadomin-quarry-also-land-use-issue.html

matttaylor · 07-15-2007, 06:58 PM

According to the news (if you believe them) a few months ago they (Forestry Service) declaired the entire year a fire season. Due to a lack of rain for the past couple of years the FS said that every day of the year is a fire season, until rainfall returns to normal. So technically they can use this as a permanent closure, and close other trails eventually if rain doesn't start falling.

RngrDv · 07-15-2007, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91advrunner

the roads to lola montez, sterling, and fordyce lake are open. signal peak and the comitee or river crossing is closed. this is an eye witness account

So you are saying you made it down to Fordyce lake without any hassles or going around any gates, ets..?

RealJeepMan · 07-15-2007, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErikB

Fordyce/Rattlesnake Road into Fordyce Lake is still open, you can still make your camping trip.

Not totally true, I was there from Friday till today camped at Fordyce Lake. When we were leaving today I was talking to a ranger about the trail closure and she said there were reports of over 50 people on the Fordyce trail. I questioned her on this, and come to find out Fordyce Lake Rd. was/is closed! Everything after the Signal Peak turn off. There were signs facing off the Road but nothing for on the Road. She told me were were trespassing and she would have given us all tickets if she had seen us.

She did also admit that they (forestry service) are not clear on what is closed and what is open. Then said something along the lines of the 2nd phase of enforcement will start in the next week.

Ryan

raceanything · 07-16-2007, 12:30 PM

This must be the same ranger woman who was down way past the Signal Peak turn off as 20 vehicles and 40 people helped the crashed quad rider get out to the helicopter. And where there were 40 more quad riders in the valley. CHP, Forest service, CDF and care flight and all of us were there. Why no tickets then? Ryan did you get her name?

Tinman · 07-16-2007, 03:53 PM

Friendly reminder:

Please get names when speaking to FS representatives! Report them here and I will correspond with the FS about the information being given out. The forest service is pretty interested in the correct information getting out and will do something about it if misinformation is being dispensed to the public.

Thanks,

Bret

07-11-2007, 11:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
moon shadow Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Member # 83609 Posts: 2	Fordyce Closure I was camping up at Indian Springs campground this past weekend (across the street from the trailhead and the forest service did come up and post a no vehicles or any type of fire on the trails at Indian Springs. It is open for hiking only. In fact they were going to chain it so that you couldn't drive to the staging area even as there were a couple of vehicles in that far. They were calling it phase 2 I guess and it may last for the season.

07-12-2007, 07:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tinman Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Member # 21358 Location: Georgetown, Ca Posts: 1,499	Phase 2? Did you by any chance get some names of the FS personel that were telling you this? I'd like to check the "Phase 2" thing out. __________________ Bret Preble President Friends of Fordyce Friends of Fordyce KJ6NQN BLUE RIBBON COALITION, CALIFORNIA 4WD ASSOCIATION, AMA LIFE MEMBER

07-12-2007, 09:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
mudratz Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Member # 3376 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 206	This is so interesting. The Angora Tahoe Fire has all but been officially been declaired that is was started by an 'illegal' campfire. Since this is not a 4 wheeling environment, it is being guessed that it was hiker, back packers, or party goers. So the answer is to close the forest to internal combustion engines. Yea, that works. Makes total sense to me. If the soccer fans riot, do not let in any more baseball fans. Leave the forest open to one of the groups that by all current information, was responsible for the fire. If the fire danger is truly that high, which I do not believe it is, then why just close it to off roaders and let everyone else in. Either it is dangerous, or it is not. I have no doubt that there is a fire danger, but there almost always is. That is why in years past they have imposed fire restrictions and we could only usue camp stoves. If you remember from other examples in the past. If it is a dry year - they can declair dry conditions and a fire danger. If is a wet year - they can declair excessive growth of vegitation because of the wet, and it is a fire danger. I guess we can now all get a feel for what descrimination is all about. Because this is it, at its finest. __________________ Four Dice 4 Wheel Drive Club 85 4Runner Last edited by mudratz; 07-12-2007 at 10:01 AM.

07-12-2007, 01:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
ErikB Grocery Getter Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 59 Location: Auburn, CA Posts: 10,506	Fordyce/Rattlesnake Road into Fordyce Lake is still open, you can still make your camping trip. __________________ . BUY MY CAMPER <click here> http://home.4x4wire.com/erik '97 4runner build

07-12-2007, 11:48 PM	#12 (permalink)
BRENTWADE Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Member # 52580 Location: Napa, CA Posts: 1,454	I went to run Fordyce this past weekend and I was unloading at the staging area when a female park range came up in her green chevy truck and ran me out and said the trail is closed to all OHV because we are a fire danger __________________ ZUK,Linked,39's,Toy axles, Crawlin @ 459:1 My Build: zukikrawlers.com/showthread.php?t=12432

07-12-2007, 01:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
RngrDv Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Member # 22850 Location: Sacramento. CA Posts: 367	I had been planning a trip into Fordyce lake this weekend when I found out about it being closed. I called the Ranger Station for Tahoe Nat. Forest and was told that because of frire restrictions that any road/trail/area that they couldn't get a fire truck into was being closed. I know it isn't fun not being able to go into a place like that but I can understand their stand. After all, they need to protect these areas, not from responsible wheelers, but from those that have "illegal campfires" and such. I also know that the last time I was in at the lake there were a lot of firearms going off as well as a lot of illegal fireworks. I know they have some huge 6X6 trucks (my shop works on them) that can go places but as far as getting into some of these areas I don't see them able to do it much.

07-12-2007, 01:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
TheWolf Dirt Bag Posse Join Date: Sep 2004 Member # 35485 Location: Mid-Cal Posts: 126	Is the Pierce OHV area (near Fordyce Trail) still open?

07-13-2007, 10:36 AM	#14 (permalink)
ErikB Grocery Getter Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 59 Location: Auburn, CA Posts: 10,506	The roads up there to Lake Sterling and Lola Montez lakes should all be open since they are forest service and private property roads. Only "trails" like Fordyce are closed. "Roads" are all open. There are lots of roads up there to explore around on. Dunno if this link will work... http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...,0.214233&z=13 __________________ . BUY MY CAMPER <click here> http://home.4x4wire.com/erik '97 4runner build

07-13-2007, 05:56 PM	#15 (permalink)
8Superman Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Member # 53070 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 226	So they are going to close the trail during the summer months with high fire hazards?

07-13-2007, 09:05 PM	#17 (permalink)
91advrunner Wheeler Join Date: Jun 2007 Member # 93455 Location: Grass Valley, CA Posts: 358	the roads to lola montez, sterling, and fordyce lake are open. signal peak and the comitee or river crossing is closed. this is an eye witness account

07-14-2007, 06:34 PM	#18 (permalink)
SmashR Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Member # 64541 Location: Turlock, Ca Posts: 16	Anyone know when or approximately when the fire season will end? When it does end will 4x4s again be allowed to traverse the Fordyce Trail?

07-14-2007, 07:08 PM	#19 (permalink)
PizzaFarno Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Member # 77245 Location: Missouri Posts: 386	its really hard to say... it changes every year __________________ 1984 Cj-7,Currie 9" rear,Waggy dana 44,35's,4.56,fuel injected Inline 4.2,AGR steering, dana 300,t18

07-15-2007, 02:29 PM	#20 (permalink)
ramv Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Member # 11921 Location: Denver Posts: 3,129	In Canada they started doing these temporary fire closures in 2001. People didn't squeal too badly and now they have closed the entire area permanently. This needs to be squashed asap. Here is some of the Canada pics, and a little info /forum/general-4x4-discussion/594568-cadomin-quarry-also-land-use-issue.html __________________ My build thread: [url]http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=508537[/url]

07-15-2007, 06:58 PM	#21 (permalink)
matttaylor Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Member # 94749 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 13	According to the news (if you believe them) a few months ago they (Forestry Service) declaired the entire year a fire season. Due to a lack of rain for the past couple of years the FS said that every day of the year is a fire season, until rainfall returns to normal. So technically they can use this as a permanent closure, and close other trails eventually if rain doesn't start falling.

07-16-2007, 12:30 PM	#24 (permalink)
raceanything Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Member # 13471 Location: danville,CA Posts: 1,088	This must be the same ranger woman who was down way past the Signal Peak turn off as 20 vehicles and 40 people helped the crashed quad rider get out to the helicopter. And where there were 40 more quad riders in the valley. CHP, Forest service, CDF and care flight and all of us were there. Why no tickets then? Ryan did you get her name? __________________ Jeff Mello Rage 4th "safety is our #2 concern"

07-16-2007, 03:53 PM	#25 (permalink)
Tinman Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Member # 21358 Location: Georgetown, Ca Posts: 1,499	Friendly reminder: Please get names when speaking to FS representatives! Report them here and I will correspond with the FS about the information being given out. The forest service is pretty interested in the correct information getting out and will do something about it if misinformation is being dispensed to the public. Thanks, Bret __________________ Bret Preble President Friends of Fordyce Friends of Fordyce KJ6NQN BLUE RIBBON COALITION, CALIFORNIA 4WD ASSOCIATION, AMA LIFE MEMBER

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