|
|
The following is a brief
history of California Trail Users Coalition
by Ed Waldheim
An equestrian Richard Bosler and Dana Bell, a motorcyclist, formed this group. I got into the meeting in the 2nd round and we quickly incorporated CTUC on May 9, 1998.
Angeles National Forest and Los Padres National Forest have worked with CTUC as we bring a Multiple-Use-Concept to the table. This group has been successful for getting almost $300,000 in grants from the Recreational Trails Plan, a grant from the Federal Government.
The anchor for CTUC is having entered into an agreement with Angeles National Forest to manage the North Fork Station. This was a $5 million station no longer in use that was going to be visited by the bulldozer until Forest Service Specialist Julie Molzahn talked to CTUC about adopting the station. Chairman Terry Kaiser, an equestrian from Sunland, jumped on the idea and the rest is history.
With the help of CTUC’s Secretary /
Treasurer Barry Wetherby, this has been and is an incredible project.
CTUC has a full time volunteer Todd Dora. (Yes, full time.) Todd has been living
on site for over two years, and helping all multiple users who visit the
station. Those most visiting station are the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) hikers on
their trek from Mexico to Canada. Todd welcomes everyone and we hope you will
take the time to visit him, have a picnic on the new grounds, with tables for
the handicapped persons, etc. It is a beautiful site and worth the visit. If you
want to talk to Todd Dora and make reservations for any multiple use group, call
him at 661-269-1870. He can schedule you or your group at the North Fork
Station. There is a room for training, meetings, or just having a relaxing time
in the forest.
CTUC’s accomplishments have been to secure 3 grants for picnic tables and handicap accessible tables and drinking fountains, restroom facilities, corral and secure motorcycle parks. We also have a grant waiting to be done on a Staging area at the Indian Canyon entrance off Soledad Canyon. This will be a multi-use staging area for equestrians and motorcyclists. We also have a grant to install restroom and picnic facilities in Los Padres National Forest.
Forests are looking for formal partners & CTUC is proud to be able to help other Forest Groups to become formalized, so they can work more effectively with their forests. If you need help in your Forest please contact me.
CTUC is hosting of the State Motorized Trails System (SMTS) website or
www.smts.info
State Motorized Trail System:
This is our Motorized version of the Pacific Crest Trail going from Mexico to
Canada. During the formation of the OHV Program in 1972, legislation
specifically stated that we would have the State Motorized Trail System.
The following is quoted from the California Department of Parks & Recreation
Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division’s LAWS Related to the Off-Highway
Vehicle Program, (Third Printing Thru 1999 Legislative Session):
5090.44. Criteria for Recreation Trails; California Statewide Motorized Trail
State vehicular recreation trails shall consist of corridors which are
designated and maintained for recreational travel by off-highway motor vehicles,
which are not generally maintained for recreational travel by off-highway motor
vehicles, which are not generally suitable or maintained for normal travel by
conventional two-wheel drive vehicles, and which are designated for off-highway
motor vehicle travel by the owner of, or other person or public entity having
control over, the property traversed by the trail. State vehicular recreation
trails may include lands designated and maintained as trailheads. State
vehicular recreation trails shall be selected and managed in accordance with
this chapter. Trails designated pursuant to this section may be known as the
California Statewide Motorized Trail.
Sneakers M.C. out of Bishop with help from Jerry Counts has already put some
Eastern Sierra information on line -
www.sneakersmc.com/trailmaps.htm
The initial thought was to incorporate this as a separate 501c.3 Corporation,
but the Board of Directors of CTUC (California Trails User Coalition) decided to
be the sponsor of this system. This trail program goes right in with the mission
of CTUC.
A donation as a supporting member on this system can be made as tax deductible,
check made out to CTUC with specific instructions for SMTS application.
Please make any donations to CTUC. These donations
are all tax deductible. A supporting membership is also available.
