Is it that ranger guy? Where are the 119 or so guns he's always bragging about? I see he's ready to draw one.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Well, I have been corrected offline about my hearsay...that ranger guy did not refer to himself as a cancer. That is one of the reasons to be careful about hearsay! Not sure what to call him now...but the proliferation of illegal OHV activity and his failure to address it does create a cancerous condition in our area. Thanks, Mojave Green for explaining that fence project so well. I've heardby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I see that part of your post has already been responded to...the OHV "patrol" people cut the fences but not in an attempt to stop the cattle grazing. 'nuff said. I wanted to respond to your question about this chief ranger guy. Last I heard (oh no...more hearsay!) he told a local resident that he is a cancer. So I say we call him Chief Cancer Enforcement Ranger Barry (half) Nelson.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Welcome, NJN I was born in your state...but been here so long that this is home now. Hope your visit is enjoyable in all ways. Lots of great people at DCHS and the neighborhood!by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
You're great, Gary. Thanks for all the good wishes!!by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thank you Mojave Green for providing clarity on this trail. One other thing that I must note about this is that even though 90 people signed a petition, and many of them wrote letters, only one person has faced what seems to be direct retaliation by the OHV community in the form of new trespass, cut fences, and direct vandalism to private property.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
That text repitition is getting annoying. We had a great time at Wizard's and the boxcar wine really was good. Glad to hear it wasn't an official meeting, since I didn't take any notes!by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thank you Wizard for the suggestion that I might be able to talk some sense into Mike Castro. I'm inclined to agree with others here, though, based on their experiences and my own. While I do respect Mr. Castro in many ways, I have not found him to be receptive to listening to the opinions and concerns of others, and do not feel that I have a chance in changing that. He knows where I live, andby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I'll add my two cents to Brother Bear's. The Moss Mill "easement" is, in my opinion, a closed issue. My understanding is that an easement used to exist to allow a former property owner access to his property. That property now belongs to the public (BLM) and the former easement does not apply, because there is no property owner that now requires access across the property of anotherby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I agree that Wizard's suggestion of a meeting is a good one, and appreciate Mojave Green's suggestion that I lead it. I would be honored to lead a peace-making mission. AZ Mike may well be right that Mr. Castro will decline to attend. But, before we make any assumptions...would anyone like the honor of inviting him? Maybe he will surprise us all and agree. Do all the persons identified by Moby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
The forum is gettin' hot...but I'm glad to see the issues being presented and would also like to recommend that we all proceed with an attempt to resolve the issues and to avoid rehashing past controversies, airing personal agendas, etc. Like others here, I have considered Mike Castro a friend, have appreciated the times that he came to my and others' aid, and have felt that his presence was aby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I like the quote by Linda Hansen, and hope that such a committment shows itself soon. I was disturbed to hear a suggestion recently (this is hearsay so I will not attribute it to the rumored speaker) that there really are no cultural values to protect within the ACEC (Area of Critical Environmental Concern...this is where trail J1299 runs). If anyone is spreading this, please be advised thatby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
They are doing it in other places...what will it take to get some enforcement around here? One or two weekend crackdowns with citations issued and/or bikes confiscated would send a message to counter those who think that they can ride wherever they like in our area because, even if there are rules, no one enforces them!by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Great suggestions for marking the trail. One spot that seems to give people difficulty, even during daylight, is on trail 3W02 after leaving the forest. The trail marker there needs more support...keeps coming loose...but is pretty clear. From there the trail is easy to follow until you reach the last big hill, where you must turn left and climb. Another trail keeps going straight there, andby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I'll have to agree with Mojave Green on this one. Your attorney friend may be right if not for the fact that Bowen Ranch supplies maps (which are admittedly hard to follow), but I find it distasteful that anyone would try to lay blame in this tragedy. I feel really sorry for the girl's companion as well, who must live with the fact that their mutual unpreparedness and failure to get the girl ouby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Ever wonder about the names of all those beautiful wildflowers? I've been trying to learn them. A wildflower hike with a knowledgeable tour guide seems better than trying to identify them from pictures in a book. This should prove to be a great event. The hardest decision will be which tour to join! More information will be posted here. Lots of activities for all who love the springs andby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Good suggestion, Rick. Photos, too!by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Hi Miguel, Sorry your question went unanswered for so long. I've been away from the forum for a while, and am surprised to see that no one else responded to you. There are no "official" names for the pools, but a number of long-time users have been naming the pools as follows: THE CRAB COOKER: the narrow channel against the rocks where a copper pipe delivers water that many swear by asby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Hello Sam, Thank you for your efforts in removing candle wax. Education of night-time users is still the most difficult task for DCV, but we won't give up trying. As for your experiment, I'm afraid that others have already tried that with mixed results. It is true that the immediate area does stay cleaner when there is a container available for trash, but it also creates another problem becausby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Hello all!! I have not been following the forum since before our meeting. Many thanks to Wizard for the fine job of posting the minutes, which meant that he had to read and decipher all of my scribbled notes! (I sometimes have a hard time with doing that myself) Glad to hear from Moose and Mojave Green with some relevant info on the OHV non-compliance problem and the BLM. That stands for Bureby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
You can still enter via Bowen Ranch. Bowen Ranch Road is not a Forest Service road.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Just got the news from Allison Stewart. Enjoy the springs! Thanks to everyone who took the time to write letters. Remember: Keeping the springs clean and respecting the "rules" also helps to keep the springs open.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Great letter, Miguel! Here is the letter I just emailed (I copied and pasted it here from Word, so it may not look identical to the original): Dear Ms. Thompson, I am a frequent user of Deep Creek Hot Springs as well as a member of Deep Creek Volunteers. I appreciate your response to our group regarding the current closure of Deep Creek Hot Springs. I am writing today to urge you and otherby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I am also witness to trespass and vandalism by some in the OHV community. Fences have been vandalized in at least four locations over this past weekend, and new trails are being plowed all over the place. Yet, there are some OHV users who respect the area and ride only on routes designated as open. Thank you to them!! The BLM should be providing updated maps showing which routes are legal sby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Hello again Craig. Great to hear from you, and glad you like the more positive tone of the forum lately. Happy New Year! Peace.......sycamoreby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks for the report. I think that it is time to start writing letters. "More trash than they have ever seen before" should be quoted to the USFS, and they must be made to realize that their closure interferes with our (DCV and other volunteers) ability to keep the area clean and healthy. I will write a letter myself just after Christmas, so they will get it before the new year stby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
We didn't go down to the Bowen Ranch parking lot, but I wouldn't be surprised if people do still access the springs. Look under the DCV meeting minutes thread for a copy of the sign posted at Bowen Ranch.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Paul, Arizona Mike, and I went down to paint the lettering on the brochure box today. The yellow looks really nice, but it will need a second coat, which we can do in a couple of days. It still had some brochures in it, and I left more. Someone had already righted the trail sign, and we worked to firm it up a bit. I've heard more positive feedback about our group. I'm expecting to hear anyby sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I think this is great news, and will be a part of the new group as well. I am sure the Amutcakaiem clan would approve as well.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
The "3WO2" trail sign on the trail between Bowen Ranch and the lower parking lot has been knocked over. Litter was noted in the area. Arizona Mike, Paul and I can go fix it this weekend, while we're putting the lettering on the brochure box.by sycamorelaughing - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California