You've kind of struck a sore subject with me and I'll try to explain why and how.
At one time we had a lot of useful OHV trails in the area. As you probably found, there are not many noteworthy trails left open to OHV use. We know and fully understand that we're fighting a loosing battle when it comes to these OHV type trails because we do not have the time, resources, and money to fight the larger organizations looking to shut us down. All we can do is protect what we have left, and this means not giving the other guys a reason to draw attention to these trails.
Where you took these pictures, and Dry River in general, is a hot topic right now. It has cooled a bit in the last few months, but I'm sure you noticed all the rock pilings and signs along Rt.33 3 or 4 miles prior to the entrance to Dry Run Road. Those were trail heads we just lost back in the Spring. There were a verity of reason this area was closed and anyone who's ever driven through that area would agree it was abused. Honestly, I can't say that I'm too upset about it as the area was a mess. But the straw that broke the camels back was when Trout Unlimited got involved and showed City administrators what was going on in their drinking water.
You may have also noticed Kephart Run. Kephart is a small feeder stream, or creek, that dumps into the Dry River. You crossed this stream on your way to or from Dry Run Road. There was a trail that paralleled Kephart Run for about 3 miles. This was a super cool trail because it took you almost 3-miles into the mountain with no other way in or out. There was very little traffic on this trail and you were able to get deep enough into one of the finger ridges that you could no longer hear road traffic. This trail was important because people with less capable vehicles could still get into the wilderness, away from the traffic, and camp, fish, hunt, etc...
But then people started driving in the stream. Up and down and making new trails. Once it started it only became worse. Here are a few pictures just before the area got closed down:
As you can see, it damn near looks like a road in these pictures. It wasn't. These folks are driving right up the creek. And for what?? It did not go anywhere.
The Off-Camber Crawlers tried to help and adopted the trail:
....but it was too little too late. The damage had been done and we no longer have this nice trail. We no longer have this trail because people would not stay out of the water.
Your comments about "No Signs" really pisses me off. That's about the most rookie statement you ever hear from someone who does not want to pay attention to the law or abide by the Thread Lightly rule.
There is probably no sign in your front yard saying I can't drive through it. Does that mean it's okay to drive through your yard? Maybe go really fast and kick up some mud or something? Do you have a sign that says I can't take dump in your swimming pool?
Here's your sign
In case you do not know what Treading Lightly is, here is some information plucked right from the
GWNF Forest Service web site:
Riders are encouraged to tread lightly to protect the resources and environment. Here are some tips:
* Avoid running over young trees, shrubs and grasses -- this damages and kills them.
* Stay off soft, wet trails and trails already badly rutted.
* Ford streams only at designated crossings.
* Stay on designated routes -- resist the urge to pioneer a new trail or switchback.
* Do not chase or intentionally disturb wildlife.
* Take your litter with you when you leave the national forest.
* Obey closures and regulatory signs.
* Travel at safe and reasonable speeds.
This picture here you posted really makes me wonder what goes through peoples heads sometimes.
You crossed the river to go to an island that leads to no where. Fun. This is much like climbing one of those hills that go straight up the side of a ridge for 30-feet and stop. What's the point? You can honestly toss a rock from one side of that island to the other. You can see that from the main trail this crossing leads to nowhere.
But seriously, dude, does this honestly look like a designated stream crossing?
That "trail", as you call it, on that island goes right ********** dab through a blackberry patch. But I guess since there is no sign posted in the river that says "Do Not Drive Through Blackberry Patch", it must be okay.
This Dry Run area has changed drastically over the years. In fact that river has changed it's course. The river now flows about 50-feet from where it once did. This happened in 1996 when hurricane Fran came through. So, yes, you do see a lot of exposed river rock - this entire area has been underwater at some point. I can remember when you turned off Rt.33 and drove down past that little camp area on the left and hit straight on into the river. That camp area, not too long ago, was right on the water. But when Fran came through the river made a 90* right-hand turn and made a new path. The river now actually follows the old trail. At one time this WAS the designated trail. Hell, it was a road leading to the dam and at it's peak the river was 12" deep in this area.
Obviously now we have a better, safer, more civilized route we can take to get across the river to the dam. Use it.
But come on, man, use some common sense next time you're in the area. Just because it looks like someone else has driven across the river in a particular area, or because there is no sign up, does not mean it's okay to go splashing through the creeks and rivers anywhere you want. I could give two ******ts about the drinking water quality for Harrisonburg City as they're going to filter out all the bad stuff anyway and make it safe to drink. That does not mean they see it the same way as I do and they are the ones who will eventually shut this area down.
We do need to protect our water quality for the habitat, though. When you start driving through the river engine deep you're not helping a thing. There may not be a lot of sediment to kick up in that area but when the forest service or City council see's pictures of a truck sitting in the river, how does that look on the OHV community as a whole?
You've already said there is no signs in this area. We know that. So since there are no signs, is stuff like this ok to do?
Here in an entire thread that I'm sure you will end up on talking about the activity in the area. This thread is monitored by Mike Alexander, the federal police officer for the area.
http://sv4w.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1231373881/0
"But officer, there was no sign"
(due to picture allowance, I need to create several posts)
