Meeting Notes, Regular meeting, February 27, 2001

Note - These are not the official minutes - just an informal summary.

Backcountry 101 Follow up:

We still owe the Granny Martin Museum about 1/3 cord of oak firewood, to replace the wood we used for the pit bar-b-que at Backcountry 101 in 2000. We also need to arrange to help them with some volunteer work. Contact Marty to see how you can help.

Backcountry 102 Clinic Report:

Marty Jorgensen reminded the group that the second annual clinic, "Backcountry 102", will be held June 23-24, 2001, at the Granny Martin Museum (off Japatul Road, just south of I-8).

Marty asked for volunteers to head up the various aspects of the clinic, and got:

• Tauri Cornell - Recruiting clinicians (vets, etc.). Tauri suggested the vet would like to do a more hands-on presentation than last year's.
• Nola Michel - Handling paperwork for the clinics (handouts, copies?)
• Linda Eskin - PR - Promoting the event in the press, on the web, via other clubs, handouts, etc.
• Steve Randall - Packing instruction - Coordinating the packing side of things.
• Possibly Bill Huston - Food - although he was not present to defend himself.
• Still needed - On-site logistics - Porta-potties, signs, traffic direction, tent?
• Still needed - Registration - Taking reservations in advance, and handling participants as they arrive.

The next Planning Meeting for "Backcountry 102" will be Tuesday, March 20th, 7:00 p.m., at Linda Eskin's home. Anyone interested in helping out is welcome to attend.

T-Shirts and Logo:

Marty Jorgensen is working on getting finishing touches on our revised logo.

Rendezvous 2001, and the State Board Meeting (March 9, 10, and 11):

A good-sized group of Caballeros del Sol members will be heading to Rendezvous, and the Board Meeting. It should be a productive weekend, and lots of fun.

If you are going, bring anything you have to contribute to the fund-raising auction. Donations will be accepted up until the time the auction starts on Saturday.

Our unit has offered to help staff the booth where BCHC will be selling off items from past Rendezvous events (t-shirts, etc.). If you're coming up, be sure to stop by and help out. Contact Tauri for more information.

We will also be making a cash donation to support the State organization.

Upcoming Work Parties:

Tauri is organizing a clean up day at the intersection of Willow Road and Moreno, in Lakeside, to pick up trash and clear out weeds. Saturday, March 3rd, 2001. Contact Tauri for details.

Public Lands

San Diego County Trails Council (SDCTC) held a work day recently at Loveland Reservoir - trails and an equestrian staging area.

The USDA Forest Service is in the process of updating the Forest Plan for the Cleveland National Forest. Public meetings are being held all over the area from now through mid-April. There is one near you - no excuse for missing out on this. Nola suggests that members (and other equestrians) attend and speak at these meetings, to convey the importance to the local community of keeping riding trails and horse camping available in our area. A complete schedule of meetings can be found at:
http://www.r5.fs.fed.us/cleveland/cnfschedule.htm

The County campground at Vallecitos Stage Station is now open for horse camping, by reservation. There are no corrals - bring portable corrals or tie to your trailer. Be sure to leave a clean camp! The campground is bordered by the Anza-Borrego State Park on one side, and BLM land on the other. Lots and lots of trails. The County needs to get a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in place with the State and BLM about trails in the area. There are some smoke trees (short, shrubby trees), but no shade. If there is any question about horses being allowed at the campground, contact County Parks Ranger Frank Special .

The Citizens' Advisory Committee for the San Dieguito River Park has received a report on the excellent preservation work planned for the Sikes Adobe (an old adobe home) across from the staging area and trailhead off I-15 at Via Rancho Parkway. A concessionaire at the park will be offering trail rides, available by reservation only. Construction on the Mule Hill Trail has begun, and must be completed in the riparian areas before the Least Bell's Vireo returns in March.
More information about the park can be found at http://www.sdrp.org

Update since the meeting: After September, when the Vireos leave again, trail crews will be able to get back to work into riparian areas. The trail should be completed by early 2002. This project adds 9 miles of trails on the east side of 15, to go along with the appoximately 5 existing miles of trails on the west side. The Mule Hill Trail goes from the staging area at I-15 to the San Pasqual Battlefield. Eventually, the trails will go all the way to Vulcan Mountain.

Nola showed a great new fold-out guide to the Birds of Lake Hodges, which is available from the park offices.

Newsletter Matters:

Everyone was reminded that the deadline for getting items in the newsletter is the first of each month. Reports are expected from the Public Lands and Education committees. Other committees should submit any information that would be useful to members (ride dates, work parties, upcoming political meetings, etc.). Members are invited to contribute articles and other material. Send your contributions to Tauri.

Lower Willows Project:

The recent work projects at Lower Willows were discussed. The trail through the bottom of the canyon was boggy and wet. The work being done brings the trail up about 4', still in the canyon (not on the top), but out of the water. Several groups have laid the groundwork for this improvement, working with Coyote Canyon Park Ranger Nancy Witting. The work parties are being headed up by Tom Marshall of the San Diego unit, in conjunction with State Parks.

There are old village sites on the top of the canyon (protected archeological sites), and State Wilderness Areas on both sides, but not down the canyon itself, which is technically a road/right-of-way.

County Trails Reminder:

Members are reminded that the County of San Diego is currently mapping trails for possible inclusion is a County-wide trails program. NOW is the time to get with your Community Planning Groups or Sponsor Groups - or work with the County directly. The County is relying on public input to determine where trails will be.

Miscellaneous Discussions:

Ways of better serving our membership, and helping them become involved in BCHC activities and projects were discussed. Some possibilities included better promotion of web site and the unit's e-mail list, printing a poll soliciting member input in the newsletter.

Robert brought up the possibility of a joint campout with the Ridge Riders at Stagecoach Trails (near Banner), April 20-22, for California Trails Day.

San Diego Trails Council has reserved the Los Vaqueros campground (Cuyamacas) for August 17-18-19, 2001 - the anniversary of the California Riding and Hiking Trail. Several clubs are jointly holding a poker ride for riders, hikers, and mountain bikers.

Steve reminded everyone to keep October 19-20-21 free for the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park annual Trail Maintenance Weekend. Camping at Los Vaqueros will be free to those helping with trail work. Everyone is welcome to participate - with or without riding or pack animals. The first 40 reservations can camp at Los Vaqueros - others may come for the day. Contact Mickey James with the State Parks.

Mary announced that Project Wildlife, a wildlife rescue and rehab organization, is looking for donations of pipe corral panels for a deer enclosure they are building. If you have any panels to donate, contact Mary Randall.

Next Meeting -- date and location:

Date: Fourth Tuesday - March 27, 2001
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: The Randall's home