Barrett Lake Jeep Trail

[WLDWUN]

I have never been on Barrett Lake Jeep Trail, so I dont really know how this will effect the trail, but I got this in the mail this weekend. I found it on their website and had them send me the information. only 10 days to make a comment on the proposed action


Dear interested citizen,

The Forest service proposes to reroute the Barrett Lake Jeep Trail (Forest Road 12N77) to reduce resource impacts if the current trail. The current Barrett Lake Jeep Trail crosses the Jones Fork of the Silver Creek in a wet crossing, where vehicles drive through the water to cross the creek. If the proposed reroute is approved, the following activities would occur:

• Approximately 0.41 miles of new trail would be constructed for the reroute. Since the new trail crosses primarily exposed bedrock granite and decomposed granite soil, most of the proposed trail is void of vegetation. However, some brush removal and brush pruning will occur.
• A new approximately 46 feet long wooden and steel bridge would be constructed to cross the creek at the new location. The foundation of the new bridge will be grantitic bedrock that is currently exposed at the proposed bridge site.
• Approximately 0.44 miles of existing trail would be abandoned and restored by using mechanized equipment and hand work to rip and re-contour the road, and placing native materials on the abandoned road. Placement of native materials will provide vegetative cover until native plants reestablish, as well as to visually deter further use of the abandoned section of the trail. Native materials will be from weed free sources

The purpose and need for this project is to reduce sediment delivery of the existing Barrett Lake Jeep Trail to the Jones fork of the Silver creek, while continuing to provide a high quality motorized trail experience. Reducing sediment delivery to the Jones Fork of the Silver Creek will improve habitat for the Yellow-Mountain Legged Frog, a Forest service Sensitive Species, as well as improve watershed health and water quality. The Barrett Lake Jeep Trail is in the Pyramid Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA), and this project is anticipated to also improve IRA characteristics.

Attached is a map of the proposed and existing Barrett Lake Jeep Trail. If you have any questions or need more information regarding this proposal, feel free to contact Jessica Ilse at (530) 647-5433 or jisle@fs.fed.us

At this time a decision has not been made regarding this proposed project. If you have information you feel the Forest service may not be aware of, or you feel you have issues (points of dispute, debate, or disagreement) regarding the potential effects of the proposed project, please send these in writing to Diane Rubiaco, Pacific District Ranger, 7887 Highway 50, Pollock Pines, CA 95726 on or before April 4th 2008. We will use significant issues that are identified to develop alternatives to the Proposed Action.

DIANE RUBIACO
Pacific District Ranger

[Kurtuleas]

Rick, can you post the map?

[Kurtuleas]

Not the best, but here it is...

[microtus]

Interesting, they are proposing to close one stream crossing to generate two, which are further up the watershed. The change is to bypass a "wet meadow"?


Nice find WLDWUN, I knew what I was looking for and it still took me over 30 minutes to find it on their website

Lots of interesting information in that area.

Thanks.

[64YellowTux]

That's a project that has been in the works for a couple of years now and it looks like they might complete it this year. I personally don't know that much about the details only that they are going to move the trail out of what they deem a sensitive area and put in a bridge and some new trail around.

[kf6zpl]

So, who from the OHV community is 'ramrodding' the project and what assistance is needed????

Money, material, labor, letters.....

[lttlbddy]

Originally Posted by 64YellowTux

That's a project that has been in the works for a couple of years now and it looks like they might complete it this year. I personally don't know that much about the details only that they are going to move the trail out of what they deem a sensitive area and put in a bridge and some new trail around.

Originally Posted by kf6zpl

So, who from the OHV community is 'ramrodding' the project and what assistance is needed????

Money, material, labor, letters.....

This subject was discussed at the Cal 4 Wheel Convention in Feb. One of the local Clubs was starting the process of soliciting labor. He was not thinking that the project would be until 2009/2010. I will have to check my notes to see the specifics of who/when. I do remember that the bridge would be prefabbed and moved into place by helicopter. The on the ground labor was to work on the cement footings and other preparatory work to receive the bridge.

[kf6zpl]

This subject was discussed at the Cal 4 Wheel Convention in Feb. One of the local Clubs was starting the process of soliciting labor. He was not thinking that the project would be until 2009/2010. I will have to check my notes to see the specifics of who/when. I do remember that the bridge would be prefabbed and moved into place by helicopter. The on the ground labor was to work on the cement footings and other preparatory work to receive the bridge.

Now is the time to start soliciting donations of $$$ and labor to move this project along.

I sense a potential BFG "Outstanding Trails" nomination out of this effort.

It will take organization and publicity....

So, who from the OHV community is 'ramrodding' the project and what assistance is needed????

[64YellowTux]

Originally Posted by kf6zpl

So, who from the OHV community is 'ramrodding' the project and what assistance is needed????

Money, material, labor, letters.....

John as far as I know it's a FS project that originated with Rich Platt so I think that the material is all covered and they will be looking for volunteer labor to complete the task. I am not sure but if they are going to have equipment in there to obliterate the old section they will probably use it to cut the new trail as well (as they did with the reroute on the Rubicon).

I talked a little with one of the club members of the adopt-a-trail club and if I remember right he said that they were having discussions with the FS but sometimes my memory scramble what I heard. I am sorry but I can't remember the adopt-a-clubs name right now but I do have his e-mail and could ask him for more info you'd like.

Diane Rubiaco is the person to talk to about helping on the project or whatever else you might like to know.

Dennis

[kf6zpl]

Thanks, Dennis.

Please let me (us) know if anything is needed.

This appears to be a "positive image" opportunity.

[Kurtuleas]

FOE has our sights on it for a possible project.

[kf6zpl]

possible?????

[Kurtuleas]

Originally Posted by kf6zpl

possible?????

Ahhh...

OK, I'll PM you John! LOL!

But, yeah.

[randii]

This is the Hilanders' adopt-a-trail -- they are most likely driving the discussion. They have a long history of working cooperatively with the Forest Service.

I'd think that they will be the lead organization for this effort. I'd imagine that FOE can assist, but is important to acknowledge all the foundational work that they've done.

Randii

[Kurtuleas]

Originally Posted by randii

This is the Hilanders' adopt-a-trail -- they are most likely driving the discussion. They have a long history of working cooperatively with the Forest Service.

I'd think that they will be the lead organization for this effort. I'd imagine that FOE can assist, but is important to acknowledge all the foundational work that they've done.

Randii

We are VERY aware that Barrett is thier "Adopt-a-trail"

If FOE is able to work on this project we will make sure they are in on the conversation. We do not want to step on any toes.

[randii]

Excellent -- good to hear.

I do hope we can cooperate on this... Barrett is an awesome trail!

Randii

[lttlbddy]

Memory coming back . . . PAIN . . . Yes, I believe that the material cost is covered but there still needed to be matching dollars from the private sector. These dollars will be calculated by volunteer hours and/or donations.

[cruzila]

At this time a decision has not been made regarding this proposed project. If you have information you feel the Forest service may not be aware of, or you feel you have issues (points of dispute, debate, or disagreement) regarding the potential effects of the proposed project, please send these in writing to Diane Rubiaco, Pacific District Ranger, 7887 Highway 50, Pollock Pines, CA 95726 on or before April 4th 2008. We will use significant issues that are identified to develop alternatives to the Proposed Action.

DIANE RUBIACO
Pacific District Ranger

I would suggest emails and letters in support of this project would be a good idea. It looks like they are asking for letters of dispute, but I would bet it is an oversight.

[WLDWUN]

Originally Posted by microtus

Interesting, they are proposing to close one stream crossing to generate two, which are further up the watershed. The change is to bypass a "wet meadow"?

The new route will be downstream of the old one, and will have once crossing

Originally Posted by Kurtuleas

FOE has our sights on it for a possible project.

I have offered our group of voluenteers to work on this projet a while ago. there has been talk in the past of closing this trail, working on it and keeping it open is a big win for both sides

Originally Posted by randii

This is the Hilanders' adopt-a-trail -- they are most likely driving the discussion. They have a long history of working cooperatively with the Forest Service.

do you have a name or contact? I will try to get a hold of them

Originally Posted by cruzila

I would suggest emails and letters in support of this project would be a good idea. It looks like they are asking for letters of dispute, but I would bet it is an oversight.

I have sent both The district Ranger and project coordinator emails of support and offers of help for this project

Rick

[Kurtuleas]

Originally Posted by WLDWUN

do you have a name or contact? I will try to get a hold of them

Club President: Dave Barrett

Club Contact:
Rich Bugarin
(916) 771-3359 or
E-Mail kf6wmf@hotmail.com

[Kurtuleas]

More from the Hi-landers:

Barrett Lake Trail and Bridge Project

The Barrett Lake Jeep Trail in the High Sierra is a 10+ rated 4 wheel drive trail located in the El Dorado National forest. The 10+ rating is because it is a single path trail and there is no bypassing the hard spots. The trail is limited to narrow short wheel based vehicles. The Gateposts at the Trailhead are used as a gauge; if your vehicle cannot fit through the gateposts it will not make it through the squeeze points on the trail where there are no bypasses. The Barrett Lake Trailhead is located at Dark Lake just north of Wrights Lake (Wrights Lake is accessed via Wrights Lake Road from CA State Hwy 50). The trail runs along the border of Desolation Wilderness as it climbs through the High Sierra for 6+ miles to the edge of Barrett Lake. The close proximity of Desolation Wilderness provides the opportunity to experience the beautiful High Sierra back country. However, this close proximity makes the Trail and the area around it environmentally sensitive and thus it is doubly important to maintain and protect it all.

The Hi-Lander 4Wheel Drive Club has worked with the Forrest Service to manage and maintain the Barrett Lake Jeep Trail for 30 years. This not only includes the yearly clearing of the Trial to open it but also trial and camp site maintenance along with the closing of unauthorized "reroutes" and the constructing of authorized one. About 6 years ago the Club started talking with the Forest Service about putting a bridge over Jones Creek. The sight for the bridge, chosen by input from the Hi-Lander and Forest Service, will eliminate not only the fording of Jones Creek but also one of its small tributaries. This fact and the fact that the trail is a multi use trail, makes this bridge a project the Forest Service has continued to move forward on. To date the chosen location of the bridge has been reviewed and approved by archeologist and engineers for the Forest Service. The project is currently in the Bridge Design phase. The Bridge will be a steel structure approximately 40'-45' in length.

The plan has always been for the bridge itself to be funded by Green Sticker Funds. However, one of the resent changes in the management of Green Sticker Funds is that all projects require some private funding, at least 2S%. The 25% funding includes volunteer labor for a project. We expect to provide volunteer labor for all to the trail reroute to and from the bridge site and as much of the bridge installation itself as we can. However, we also wish to show our sincere interest in this project by providing monetary funding as well.

As four wheel drive enthusiasts we are sure you understand the importance of this project and we are offering you an opportunity to be part of it both monetarily and through volunteering your time.

Please contact Frank Funk, Hi-Lander 4 Wheel Drive Club, Conservation Chairman at barrettlakebridge@gotsky.com concerning your contribution.



Thank you and enjoy the trail.

[WLDWUN]

I have sent them an email and offered our help on their project.

[SlowMo]

The email address jilse@fs.fed.us returns as undeliverable. Anybody have an alternate address?

[WLDWUN]

Originally Posted by SlowMo

The email address jilse@fs.fed.us returns as undeliverable. Anybody have an alternate address?

That is a good email address, I got a reply from her just a week ago. you can also send it to Kristi Schroeder at kschroeder@fs.fed.us and ask her to forward it to Jessica

[MochaMike]

So who do we contact if we would like to volunteer to work on this project?

Dave Barrett? Rich Bugarin? The forrest service? FOE?