UNF Workday 4-22-06

J.C.

J.C.

Volunteer
Moderator
Joined
Apr 18, 2005
Location
Greensboro, NC
Just got back from the workday. Met several fellow NC4x4'ers at the Hunt Camp at 9 AM. It was nice to put some faces to names. awa0728, twojeeps and lomodyj were there I think? Maybe some others I missed. We had about 18 people and 2 rangers show up which was a little disappointing for me considering the fact that there were over 150 vehicles registered for the 2 major events held at UNF this weekend. How different would it have looked to the FS management if there had been 200 people standing around in a show of support. Parking lot so full there was no place for more to park. The rangers would have had to tell most everyone to just go ride, we don't have enough for everyone to do but thanks for showing up. But as we waited for the workday to begin we were passed by numerous vehicles on their way to the trails, most seeming unaware of what we were there for, or at least feigning ignorance. As we rode the trails picking up trash, winching fallen trees out of the roads and trails, posting trail markers and erecting trail name signs we encountered many other vehicles on the trails whose presence at the workday meeting would have made a major impact both in workday productivity and PR with the FS management. In Zuwharrie's defense, I did see several of their groups collecting trash as we made our way around the trails, it just didn't register with the FS as far as I know. There are only 8 scheduled work weekends, UNF Work Schedule , for our four wheeling community to show their support for the new ranger, the possibilities of more trails at UNF and our commitment to our sport, and one is now past. I sure hope all those that like to use UNF will also support it by volunteering at least once this summer. Like the old Beatles song says, "and in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"!
 
Zuwharrie takes the opportunity of their event to help with trash clean up. And it does "register" with the USFS. The District Ranger met with the Zuks at group camp Saturday morning to thank them personally. The FS also moved the dumpster over from the shooting range in time for their event so they would have some place to put it.

Imagine if everyone who went out on the trail on any given day carried a garbage bag with them and filled it up each time...
Now that would be impressive...
 
My personal thanks, and I'll pass along the thanks of the USFS for the folks that did show up and do trail work. My thanks and the thanks of the USFS for the folks that attended Zuwharie and did their part by picking up trash. Many of the trails on Sunday looked much better than they did on Friday.

We were not able to work on the trial reroute for Saw Mill as we are waiting on approval for the new part of the trail from the "watch dogs" that make sure that there are not arch sites, water ways, endangered animal species or fauna that will be impacted by the new trial. We are hoping for some word from them before the next work weekend. The short of it all is, when the reroute is completed, the firing range will be reopened. There seems to be some pressure from local gun clubs/groups to have the range reopened...and there is some pressure back to have a volunteer at the range that can enforce the rules and keep the place clean...might happen...and they might get the range back...

All in all the USFS is pleased with the trial system and the way it held up to the huge amount of traffic over the last 4 weekends and the huge amount of rain (1.25 inches on Saturday alone) and the 250+ rigs we had this weekend. We will be doing some work on Kodak over the next month or so, removing some trees, working out the "details" of the "bypass" that is technically "off trail" right now and generally making it safer for everyone out there.

Great working with those that made it out, and hope to see more of you next time.
 
I appreciate any and all trashed collected this weekend. All I'm saying is that with 2,363 registered NC4x4 users and 3,195 registered ZU users (granted many are duplicates) 18 shows for one day is pathetic support from a group of people who want to use a facility. That's about 1 out of every 300 users. I understand about expectations, I deal with that character defect daily, still I expected more than 18 people for the first scheduled workday even with event and weather factors considered.
 
working out the "details" of the "bypass" that is technically "off trail" right now
Click to expand...

does this mean they are trying to make this bypass a legal part of the trail system? in some regards i hate to see the people who make these illegal bypasses "win" by making it legal, but i guess that kodiak is one of the few spots at uwharrie that kind of needs a bypass, because of the bottleneck it tends to create
 
I was there to work in the rain. It was so slick!!!!!!! Its ok though, I had a great time.
 
awspence said:
does this mean they are trying to make this bypass a legal part of the trail system? in some regards i hate to see the people who make these illegal bypasses "win" by making it legal, but i guess that kodiak is one of the few spots at uwharrie that kind of needs a bypass, because of the bottleneck it tends to create
Click to expand...

In short, Yes, they win. Having lead hundreds of stock rigs around URE, I kinda like the idea of a bypass at Kodak, makes the trail system work for everyone. It's easy to skip Dutch John and Daniel with the stockers, but, when you cut off a good chunk of Rocky Mountain Loop, it makes it hard to make a day of wheelin for the stockers without spending lots of time on the roads.
 
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