Reply from FS on Fordyce

[billmtnman]

Thank you for taking the time to comment on our fire restrictions. I've
forwarded your message to the forest recreation and public affairs staffs.
From what you wrote, I believe that you've either been misinformed or
misinterpreted the forest order. I'm attaching a .pdf of the order so you
can see exactly what it says.
(See attached file: 17_07_04_fire_restrictions.pdf)
For 4WD users, it's important to look at item 4 on the list, which
specifically refers using internal combustion engines off of NF roads:
"4. Operating an internal combustion engine off National Forest System
roads, except for the Prosser Pit and Sugar Pine Developed Off-Highway
Vehicle Areas, and (ii) boats or dredges on a water surface. 36 CFR 261.52
(h). "
Jeepers don't use what are defined as trails in the legal sense. There is a
specific definition for "road" and "trail" that centers on respective
widths. In general, a route that is 48" or less in width is a trail. Wider
than 48" is a road. Jeeps on existing routes do not use trails, regardless
of what a user might call it. On our maps, the way to see the difference is
to look at the route. If it is a double solid or double dashed line, it's a
road. A single dashed line is a trail, and none of them are ever open for
jeep use.
I hope that this helps clear up some confusion.

/s/PHIL SEXTON, psexton@fs.fed.us
Interpretive Specialist/Web Manager
Tahoe National Forest
631 Coyote St.
Nevada City CA 95959
www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe/
Reveal. Inform. Provoke. Enlighten.

[Dnmeistr]

That is absolutely total bull****, I like how the park service is now redefining a single dash line. Most any maps you look at the legend and a single dash line has always been know as a 4wd trail.

[85runner]

ok thats fine and dandy. Then why are the signs up at the entrance stating its closed? And the work party this weekend was canceled?

[billmtnman]

Maybe the militant arm of the forest service is out there just messing with us.

[85runner]

so I saw you posted the exact same wordage on Pirate. Are you stating its open just by the definition of a trail and a road? From others they say the Rangers have a post at the begining turning people away.

[billmtnman]

I am not saying anything about the trail closure! I cut and pasted the reply I got from the forest service. I had emailed them a copy of my post on pirate and challenged them to take a look at the sh!t storm they had started. I completely expect the fs to back pedal on Thursday and open the trail.

[MichaelW]

I don't understand the commotion over the FS letter posted above.

The FS said per their maps, not anyone elses, that a single dashed line is a trail that is 48" wide or less. According to their maps, Fordyce trail as we know it is a road by their definition.

I see this as a good thing because it is much harder to close a mapped road if you are a tree hugger than it is to close a trail.

Seems to me that the "road" is open. It would seem that if you got a "ticket" and had this letter then you have a get out of jail free card. But I would like to see the posted signs before I'd say that it reads road closed.

Course if everyone thinks the "road" is closed then there will be less traffic when I travel it. :D