DRaider90
Uwharrie Off-Road Volunteering
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2007
- Location
- Weddington, NC
I had the privilege have Head Ranger Deborah Walker ride with me for Trail Inventory this past Friday right before the Saturday work day. I got to ask her many questions and got a lot of direct answers. Some stuff she made a point of that I could quote her on word for word, some stuff she didn't specify. So instead of quoting her on some stuff, and summarizing other stuff I will just summarize all her answers.
Q)I relayed the fact people don't like the idea of using guard rail in the forest because it takes away from the look of the trails/nature etc.
A)General response was that metal guard rail what we have to use in some spots to keep people from creating bypasses/spider trails that cause damage to the surrounding forest. Which directly threatens the trails and them being open. So its better to have metal guard rail, than to have metal gates with "TRAIL CLOSED" on them.
Q)What about a rock garden?
A)There are other venues around/near Uwharrie that have Rock Gardens to our use. We also have the Kodak Rock Garden that provides plenty of challenging lines. So while it has been discussed in the past right she isn't in favor of a new rock garden.
Q)Status of the trail patrol vehicle.
A)I didn't get to directly ask her about this, but she and Terry were talking/about looking at an AD for a Jeep Wrangler TJ. So it looks like they are taking matters into their own hands.
Q)The boulder(s) placed during the Contractor work in the Summer blocking the one line on Kodak.
A)Even though the boulders "appeared" (1 fell off the rock face which wasn't related to the contractors) during the contractor work, the 1 boulder was not put there by the contractors. Because the Contractors were told not to touch Kodak. Some may remember they put boulders in other areas blocking obstacles, but some how the 2nd boulder blocking the line at kodak arrived there some other way.
Q)Bypass around the Hill Climb on Dutch John.
A)I didn't know about this, but mostly ATV/Dirt Bike users want a bypass. To the point they are taking a harder line to the right of the hill creating an illegal bypass. Currently there are no plans on creating a bypass. The current plan is to find a way to fill in the hill climb to bring it back to prior acceptable levels. Keep in mind filling it in has no effect on its difficulty, it just won't have 6 foot tall walls on each side, and will have water bars in spots to help drainage.
Q)The difficulty/issues on the lower half of Daniel
A)Nothing is planned in the near future for any obstacles/areas from the parking lot to the 3 path hill climb. They will be looking at bypass options for ATV/Dirt Bikes and stock vehicles at a later date.
Q)What about a Master List of Volunteer Work Need?
A)She is all for this idea. But it would have to be put together, udpated, and organized by us. Then it would have to be approved by the Forest Service. And when any work needing materials would have to be done, they would need prior notice so they can get the supplies together.
Q)I relayed the fact people don't like the idea of using guard rail in the forest because it takes away from the look of the trails/nature etc.
A)General response was that metal guard rail what we have to use in some spots to keep people from creating bypasses/spider trails that cause damage to the surrounding forest. Which directly threatens the trails and them being open. So its better to have metal guard rail, than to have metal gates with "TRAIL CLOSED" on them.
Q)What about a rock garden?
A)There are other venues around/near Uwharrie that have Rock Gardens to our use. We also have the Kodak Rock Garden that provides plenty of challenging lines. So while it has been discussed in the past right she isn't in favor of a new rock garden.
Q)Status of the trail patrol vehicle.
A)I didn't get to directly ask her about this, but she and Terry were talking/about looking at an AD for a Jeep Wrangler TJ. So it looks like they are taking matters into their own hands.
Q)The boulder(s) placed during the Contractor work in the Summer blocking the one line on Kodak.
A)Even though the boulders "appeared" (1 fell off the rock face which wasn't related to the contractors) during the contractor work, the 1 boulder was not put there by the contractors. Because the Contractors were told not to touch Kodak. Some may remember they put boulders in other areas blocking obstacles, but some how the 2nd boulder blocking the line at kodak arrived there some other way.
Q)Bypass around the Hill Climb on Dutch John.
A)I didn't know about this, but mostly ATV/Dirt Bike users want a bypass. To the point they are taking a harder line to the right of the hill creating an illegal bypass. Currently there are no plans on creating a bypass. The current plan is to find a way to fill in the hill climb to bring it back to prior acceptable levels. Keep in mind filling it in has no effect on its difficulty, it just won't have 6 foot tall walls on each side, and will have water bars in spots to help drainage.
Q)The difficulty/issues on the lower half of Daniel
A)Nothing is planned in the near future for any obstacles/areas from the parking lot to the 3 path hill climb. They will be looking at bypass options for ATV/Dirt Bikes and stock vehicles at a later date.
Q)What about a Master List of Volunteer Work Need?
A)She is all for this idea. But it would have to be put together, udpated, and organized by us. Then it would have to be approved by the Forest Service. And when any work needing materials would have to be done, they would need prior notice so they can get the supplies together.