Merchant of Deepcreek evicted

Yesterday, the USFS escorted the merchant of Deep Creek out of the canyon. I spoke with this individual today as he drove by while I was watering my trees. He stated that a party of 14 people led by USFS law enforcement cited him for illegal camping and helped carry his stuff out. Scott also told me he had just returned today from the Bowen Ranch. He stated that he went up there and asked Mr Castro if he could lease a small piece of land at the Bowen Ranch parking lot for his "wilderness cafe". Mike (with pistol on his side) told him he liked his privacy and declined the business offer.

I also spoke with a DCV member who stated that concerned hotspringers were packing out the rest of the debris of the Merchant's camp. Also it was reported that two groups of illegal motorcyle riders passed through the hotsprings today. One group of 4 riders rode up the Bradford Ridge trail and the other two up the PCT. The DCV member did get to talk to the 2 riders who "played dumb" and went on their way. The two were local Apple Valley residents who had been seen at Stater Brothers in Apple Valley in the recent past. It is believed that they accessed the canyon via a cut fence at the BLM/ USFS border.