forest lake

[shmoesmith]

OK guys I went camping at forest lake this weekend..and there were probably 12-16 jeeps &buggies that came up on saturday morning alone that all went through the giant bogg, and were cutting in and out fo the lake. From what I understand, that large section is OFF LIMITS and so is the lake..between the same timeframe I saw at least 25-30 4wheelers(they were coming up in large groups) come up and were driving in and out of the lake and through the bog, and all over the grass hills and around the fences/also watched where they had carved out a large bypass to some of the nasty rocky puddles on the way up...I told all the people that I saw (when I could get to them fast enough before they took off)that It was against the law to drive in and out of the lake and off the road, but no one would listen to me, the gave me a look like I was some sort of asshole prick and continued anyway. Wasnt this trail one of the trails that almost got shut down before because of this kind of activity? is there anyway I can get some of these jerks in trouble(take pictures of licenses etc) so we can stop this..I'm sick as hell of these asshole rednecks not listening and getting trails shut down for those of us that really do care and stay to the trail...also the lake was dirty as hell, carried out a full sized bag of trash that wasnt my own. Anythign we can do if we see them tossing beer cans on the trail etc?? All it would have taken would be someone from suwa to be up there with a camcorder and we would probably all be screwed. If there is anythign i can do as a regular 'ol citizen who cares, let me know.

 

[Caleb]

gotta be frustrating...I think the first step is to get pictures of them and their liscense plates, but atleast their plates. I also think if we went to the Rangers as a large unified group for some help I am sure they would at least listen. :-\

 

[chans]

I was up there today and you did a great job picking the trash. Usually there is garbage all over but it was clean. I brought down half my pickup bed full once last year and some ATV people actually helped pick it up. Usally there is a ranger that hangs out up there on a motorcycle but I have not seen him for a while. I think if we got pictures they should be able to do something.

 

[iwakunijeeper]

I was up there today and you did a great job picking the trash. Usually there is garbage all over but it was clean. I brought down half my pickup bed full once last year and some ATV people actually helped pick it up. Usally there is a ranger that hangs out up there on a motorcycle but I have not seen him for a while. I think if we got pictures they should be able to do something.

I know where you are talking about and to be honest with you I went up there last year and went wheeling through the bog and stuff and until now I never knew that it was an offlimits area. I would have never gone in there had I known that. My point is that I am not sure that many people know that it is off-limits. That was the first place I ever went wheeling at and I was with a group of about 5 or 6 vehicles and none of us knew that it was off limits. Now this was like 5 or six years ago and I am sure that it has changed since then but when I was up there I swear there was no signs or fences or anything like that.
andrew

 

[shmoesmith]

I know where you are talking about and to be honest with you I went up there last year and went wheeling through the bog and stuff and until now I never knew that it was an offlimits area. I would have never gone in there had I known that. My point is that I am not sure that many people know that it is off-limits. That was the first place I ever went wheeling at and I was with a group of about 5 or 6 vehicles and none of us knew that it was off limits. Now this was like 5 or six years ago and I am sure that it has changed since then but when I was up there I swear there was no signs or fences or anything like that.
andrew

I know..there are no signs...that is part of the problem. If the forest service is going to make parts of somewhere as popular as forest lake off limits they need to put signs up....HOWEVER they were driving everywhere over all the grass, etc where ther were already signs stating no motorized vehicles or soemthign like that...I think in some areas it is obvious that you shoudnt be driving off the beaten track, but other areas the forest service really needs to step in and post signs about it because thare are many people that just 'assume' that if its not posted as closed, than its open. I knwo most of us know to stick to the beaten path, but the average joe-shmoe may not know that its 'off limits' and may be up there to have a good time on what he/she thinks is legal 4x4'ing or wheeling when infact they are just adding fuel to the fire if they get caught....I wish people would use common sense, but apparently its getting to the pont weher the forest service needs to put a damn sign up on every bypass por field out there

 

[iwakunijeeper]

I know..there are no signs...that is part of the problem. If the forest service is going to make parts of somewhere as popular as forest lake off limits they need to put signs up....HOWEVER they were driving everywhere over all the grass, etc where ther were already signs stating no motorized vehicles or soemthign like that...I think in some areas it is obvious that you shoudnt be driving off the beaten track, but other areas the forest service really needs to step in and post signs about it because thare are many people that just 'assume' that if its not posted as closed, than its open. I knwo most of us know to stick to the beaten path, but the average joe-shmoe may not know that its 'off limits' and may be up there to have a good time on what he/she thinks is legal 4x4'ing or wheeling when infact they are just adding fuel to the fire if they get caught....I wish people would use common sense, but apparently its getting to the pont weher the forest service needs to put a damn sign up on every bypass por field out there

Yeah I didnt even catch that part if I am not mistaken then there are all kinds of roads or paths that go up to the bog and around the lake. I think it sucks also I havent been to utah to live there in four years and I am afraid that when I do get back there to live there in another four years that a lot of my favorite places are going to be closed.

 

[Rick B]

I don't see how anyone can think it's acceptable to trash the "bog" and/or lake. Like the commercials say "We all live downstream." Somebody, somewhere drinks that water, as well as wildlife & the fish in the lake. It's never acceptable to do that as far as I'm concerned.

I would take my concerns to the district ranger in charge of that area. volunteer time, materials, money, whatever is necessary to get the area marked, or fenced off. See if it is possible for you to form a group & apply for a grant from the Recreational Trails Program to fund permanent measures to protect the area. Make a big deal out of it & try to get media exposure concerning the situation, do whatever you can to make yourselves look good for trying to save it and the asshats tearing it up look like a bunch of redneck goons who shouldn't even be allowed in the forest.

 

[WayneXJ]

Everytime I've been up there the rangers have always told me not to go in the lake or leave the trail. So I know that the word is getting out about it, I think some people just choose not to listen.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

We talked with a dozen or so "oxygen theifs" today... had to make a couple threats, had a guy try and take my camera...

I will be emailing pics (with plate numbers) to the USFS... hope they can do something about it...

And yes, I am an asshole when others disrespect my trails!

 

[cruiseroutfit]

PS, ran into a bunch of RME'ers on the trail... all were really responsible wheelers! Kudos!

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Read here!
http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showthread.php?t=12807