On Saturday, July 15, Scott and I went to the Kiosk at Loon Lake armed with our materials from CA4WDC and FOTR. The crown jewel of our goodies was by far the reusable trash bags, donated by CA4WDC to Dell at FOTR. The bags would turn out to be VERY popular and a great ice breaker to begin our brief educational "speech".
Scott arrived before me, and set up shop on a pretty hot day. It turned out to be a very popular day, as there were many rigs parked down at the dam, and several parked at the chalet, but more on that later.
When I arrived, Scott had already done a lot of business handing out trash bags and brochures. The most popular to give out were the FOTR and RTP flyers, the county Rubicon Trail brochure and the USFS map. Of the 100 or so vehicles that we stopped and talked to, only around 7 people said they already had a map. Remember, this is the map the USFS is giving tickets based on, yet no campaign to get that information to users. The Trail Patrol will clearly acquire as many maps as possible and make it an integral part of our duty for the sake of the users.
As I said, the star of the show was the trash bags donated by CA4WDC. Of the 150 trashbags that we had on hand to pass out, 89 people took a bag with a smile on their face. It was very encouraging to meet quite a few young guys in their 20's, say "hell yeah" when we offered them a bag. Scott and I felt like proud parents as late in the day the same people who took bags, now left with the trash bag hanging from the back of their rig.
We also met some really nice people while out there all day. Several people on foot, and some wheelers came over to talk. A guy named Patrick, offered suggestions for radios for the Trail Patrol. In addition, one of the new Patrol recruits, Aaron showed up to meet Scott and I.
Scott's homemade sign with the "rules" of the road clearly displayed made a BIG impression with the users as they drove past the kiosk. Many were slowing down or stopping before we flagged them, just to read the sign. Even the people in the Honda Civic.
CA4WDC also donated some display racks. So with dying battery, Scott and I attached the cases to the kiosk and filled them with the most popular items. Lots of maps!
To ensure no FOTR, USFS or RTP materials ended up on the trail, Scott and I attached a bungie cord across the materials, to prevent any wind from blowing them around.
Around 5:30 PM we started packing up, and placed all the excess materials on the shelf inside the Kiosk. I can't tell you how impressed I was with the new deck, and the Kiosk in general. It really is one of the really great things that FOTR has put out there to help with our mission. It really does help a lot, especially with materials logistic, considering we have people from all over the area helping out.
A new addition that was a welcome sight, was the new Combined Use signs. It is now legal to park at the Chalet, in the dirt area around the helipad. So Green sticker vehicles, including motorcycles and ATV's can use the paved section to reach the trailhead. This is a LONG TIME OVERDUE. It's imperative that this does not get abused!
When you arrive at the Chalet area, you are greeted by the first sign which lets you know it is now a combined use Road.
Then a second sign, reinforces the fact that we have to share! This is a great sign, and really drives the point home.
Overall, the weekend was a huge success. We gave 89 wheelers a new reusable trashbag and handed out nearly as many maps and brochures. We got the "25 feet on either side of the centerline" message out there, and overall enlightened many 4 Wheelers. We now have a very organized structure and mission for the Trail Patrol. Now we need to get our new members up to speed and the past members on the calendar and on the trail.
Remember, if you're interested in Trail Patrol, to visit us at http://rubicontrailpatrol.org and sign up.
Scott arrived before me, and set up shop on a pretty hot day. It turned out to be a very popular day, as there were many rigs parked down at the dam, and several parked at the chalet, but more on that later.
When I arrived, Scott had already done a lot of business handing out trash bags and brochures. The most popular to give out were the FOTR and RTP flyers, the county Rubicon Trail brochure and the USFS map. Of the 100 or so vehicles that we stopped and talked to, only around 7 people said they already had a map. Remember, this is the map the USFS is giving tickets based on, yet no campaign to get that information to users. The Trail Patrol will clearly acquire as many maps as possible and make it an integral part of our duty for the sake of the users.
As I said, the star of the show was the trash bags donated by CA4WDC. Of the 150 trashbags that we had on hand to pass out, 89 people took a bag with a smile on their face. It was very encouraging to meet quite a few young guys in their 20's, say "hell yeah" when we offered them a bag. Scott and I felt like proud parents as late in the day the same people who took bags, now left with the trash bag hanging from the back of their rig.
We also met some really nice people while out there all day. Several people on foot, and some wheelers came over to talk. A guy named Patrick, offered suggestions for radios for the Trail Patrol. In addition, one of the new Patrol recruits, Aaron showed up to meet Scott and I.
Scott's homemade sign with the "rules" of the road clearly displayed made a BIG impression with the users as they drove past the kiosk. Many were slowing down or stopping before we flagged them, just to read the sign. Even the people in the Honda Civic.
CA4WDC also donated some display racks. So with dying battery, Scott and I attached the cases to the kiosk and filled them with the most popular items. Lots of maps!
To ensure no FOTR, USFS or RTP materials ended up on the trail, Scott and I attached a bungie cord across the materials, to prevent any wind from blowing them around.
Around 5:30 PM we started packing up, and placed all the excess materials on the shelf inside the Kiosk. I can't tell you how impressed I was with the new deck, and the Kiosk in general. It really is one of the really great things that FOTR has put out there to help with our mission. It really does help a lot, especially with materials logistic, considering we have people from all over the area helping out.
A new addition that was a welcome sight, was the new Combined Use signs. It is now legal to park at the Chalet, in the dirt area around the helipad. So Green sticker vehicles, including motorcycles and ATV's can use the paved section to reach the trailhead. This is a LONG TIME OVERDUE. It's imperative that this does not get abused!
When you arrive at the Chalet area, you are greeted by the first sign which lets you know it is now a combined use Road.
Then a second sign, reinforces the fact that we have to share! This is a great sign, and really drives the point home.
Overall, the weekend was a huge success. We gave 89 wheelers a new reusable trashbag and handed out nearly as many maps and brochures. We got the "25 feet on either side of the centerline" message out there, and overall enlightened many 4 Wheelers. We now have a very organized structure and mission for the Trail Patrol. Now we need to get our new members up to speed and the past members on the calendar and on the trail.
Remember, if you're interested in Trail Patrol, to visit us at http://rubicontrailpatrol.org and sign up.