Well SJTR has finally moved towards the twentieth century. This is evident in that we have finally opened a Facebook page for San Juan Trail Riders! (Insert Link) Since the demise of the forum we have decided that this will be a great place for members to stay in touch. One of our main goals for this is so members will be able to make casual ride announcements and/or requests for others to join them. Hopefully you will find that it can be a great tool to meet other members and find new riding opportunities. I am optimistic as I think that many of us joined the club with that in mind. We are just getting it up and running now (12/11) so suggestions are welcome. Please contact Jon Carmack if you have any. Now go check it out and see for yourself
All,
Recent contributions were made by SJTR Directors Jason Chapman and Allen Christy in helping to recognize the values SJTR's put on having BLM Public Lands to ride on. On Friday January 6, 2012, Jason and Allen headed out to some of our Public Lands near Pinon' Mesa, close to Farmington, to clean up a big mess that someone had unloaded near to a trail often ridden by single-trackers and ATV folks. During the clean-up Ranger Cole Blevins, who was on patrol, rode up and spent time for a quick chat and gave SJTR's solid recognition for their efforts. He also made sure that we knew that we could unload all the trash at the local BLM offices. Not captured in the photos was a complete pickup load of 12 bags of trash, scrap iron, shotgun shell casings and other misc. trash collected just past this spot on the same day that we hauled to the dumpster. Hopefully these kinds of efforts will continue to show Public Lands Managers a more accurate picture of who and what we represent, not the distorted one given by the anti-access groups.
Best Regards,
To all SJTR Members:
Most recently you may have read of some SJTR Volunteer work around Pinon’ Mesa near Farmington that has become a favorite riding area of many of our SJTR Members (especially in cooler parts of the year). I can tell you that the response from the local BLM office and its patrolling ranger Cole Blevins has just been outstanding. These kinds of small efforts go a long ways in building the best relationships we can with Public Lands Officials.
As you all know the use of motorized vehicles (all motorized recreation vehicles) on Public Lands continues to get high scrutiny from anti-access groups. Even though both the USFS and BLM recognize the use of motorized recreation as a legitimate use of Public Lands, that concept will continually be challenged by anti-access groups for a multitude of their ideological and philosophical reasons, forever. Therefore, I suggest to you that we cannot ever rest in our commitment to show our care of our Public Lands and our willingness to volunteer service whenever we can. As many of you know, illegal dumping and trash left by many others who recreate on public lands is one of the worst impacts on the wonderful resource we all enjoy. I urge any of you who know of an area that needs attention (as Jason Chapman and I did a couple of weeks ago), especially near your favorite riding area, to go out when you might have an hour or two with your truck and do a little volunteer clean-up work. In and around Farmington the BLM office on the LaPlata highway has their dumpster open for deposits of any volunteer clean-up materials during the week. That way it costs you nothing for a dump station deposit. We like to bag all the small stuff (which goes in the dumpster) and larger metal objects can go to the side of the dumpster. Even if your clean-up results in a bag or two of beer bottles and spent shotgun shells, it all represents our commitment to support keeping lands available for us to enjoy. All that the BLM asks is that if you do want to leave things off at the dumpster is to call Janelle Alleman or Cole Blevins (505-599-8900) at the LaPlata BLM Office to let them know it is coming.
Lastly, I want to encourage all of you to really consider the sound level of your exhaust (99dba for pre 1998 vehicles and 96dba for post 1998 vehicles). The old adage of “less sound-more ground” really is on target. This next year the new USFS sound rules go into full effect and they make great sense for BLM lands also. It takes so much wind out of the sails of the anti-access folks when they can’t complain about noise of our machines.
Farmington area riding is just outstanding this winter, so if you’re surrounded by snow, come enjoy Pinon’ Mesa, The Aztec area or The Glade to beat any cabin fever.
Allen Christy
Director SJTR’s - Farmington
Today, San Juan Trail Riders, the Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition, the Public Access Preservation Alliance, the Trails Preservation Alliance, and the Blue Ribbon Coalition have petitioned the Federal Court to be included in a lawsuit filed by the Colorado Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. The suit claims that the USFS has illegally opened trails to motorized users and is asking the courts to close over 80 miles of trails in the Rico-West Dolores District of the SJNF. This is possibly a precedent setting case with nationwide implications. It appears that the USFS feels that they are in the right and has dug in their heels. Maybe they are finally getting tired of being manipulated by the ridiculous demands of the anti-access movement. In this we feel that they deserve our support, and we want to be sure that we have a say, as motorized users, since we have the most to lose. We, The San Juan Trail Riders, have decided that this is where we will draw the line. We are fortunate to have such great support from COHVCO, TPA, PAPA, & the BRC. They all recognize the significance of this case. The SJTR & PAPA will be closely involved in this fight as it directly affects us, in our own back yard. This place is a gem and we must preserve our opportunity to ride here. Many travel from all parts of the US to ride here and us as locals know what an amazing place this is. Anyone who has ridden these trails knows that there are few, if any, other trails like them in the US. As we all know this undertaking will take a significant financial effort. You will likely see requests for support, including financial, from one or more of these organizations. The primary fund raising duties will lead by the BRC. If you are not a member of all of these groups please consider joining. We hope that you will be willing to support. Those who wish to donate can do so directly to the BRC at https://www.sharetrails.org/support/join-or-contribute.
If you prefer, you can donate through the SJTR at PO Box 1118, Durango, CO 81302
