Meeting Notes, Regular meeting, March 27, 2001

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

Public Lands Report

San Dieguito River Park: There was a groundbreaking and workparty March 24, 2001. Note - There is a trail heading West under the freeway, with a cement pathway. Half of the pathway has a surface of "tacky gray stuff" so horses can walk on it without slipping. There are also tie rails at the store, and Hernando's Hideaway.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: Matt Fuzie is taking Van Cleve's place. Kathy Dice is the Ranger to work with now. She says the only places open to equestrians are roads, the CRHT, and designated trails in Coyote Canyon. The following are closed to riders & stock use - the Wilson trail, Mine Wash trail, and the Mormon Battallion trail. Kathleen countered with old maps and info showing historical use of those trails, to no avail.

Trails Day Campout: There will be a campout at Stagecoach campground (not Vallecito Stage Station) for Trails Day (April 21, 2001) - in on Friday afternoon, out on Sunday, with the Poway Ridge Riders.

Los Coyotes Reservation (S/E of Warner Springs): No more ATVs or dirt bikes. Horses are allowed in the Los Coyotes campground. There are no corrals - bring portable ones, or tie to your trailer.

Backcountry 101 Clinic Report

Backcountry 101, will be held June 23-24, 2001, at the Granny Martin Museum (off Japatul Road, just south of I-8).

We are checking into insurance issues about who can attend if we have stock on site.

Nola and Bill will handle the food.

Workshops:

- Consider having the Packing workshops earlier in the morning.
- Plan to have a Gentle Use camp set up.
- Mule Mary and Bonnie might be able to do a Dutch Oven Cooking workshop.
- Joanie Buckle might be able to teach Open Fire Cooking.
(In both cases, fire safety is a concern.)
- Have Gary McClintock do a saddle fitting workshop.
- Invite agencies (USDA-FS, State Parks, etc.) to set up tables?
- Consider Jim Harvey for the Packing workshops next year.
- Suggestions from Arlene: How to High Line, Horse Training, Bit Selection and Use.

Bill Huston suggested we hold a fundraiser (raffle?), and moved that we purchase two cookstoves, one for the unit to use, and one to raffle off. The motion passed unanimously. Nola will purchase the stoves at Costco.

Linda will handle PR.

Possibly get Judy Taylor to play music during the day (and sell her CDs).

Miscellaneous Discussions

The Western States Horse Summit will be held at Horse Expo in Sacramento, May 31, 2001.

DFG (Fish and Game) is buying the Lawrence Daley Ranch in Jamul. Riding will be allowed one day per year?

Mule Mary pointed out there will be an Alpine/Viejas Western Days Parade, September 22, 2001. We need to decide by August if our unit wants to be in it.

The Mother Goose Parade will be held November 18, 2001 (the Sunday before Thanksgiving). Sharon Haynesworth is our parade chair. Contact her for more info on participating in parades.

Arlene Kent wrote an article in support of trails which was published in the Alpine Sun about trails. Reminder - the Alpine Planning Group needs some pro-trails input.