Wizard, Your munchkins are always welcome! Sorry about the not very clear decision process, but I was following the forum and when you posted: "I don't think I have ever been to this Sacred Cave spot Laughing Bear suggested so that would be interesting", I felt that even if it was not your first choice it was at least one that interested you. I take responsability for not starting tby Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Mojavegreen, You are correct, the options for the meeting where based on the sugestions posted on this forum and the feedback that members were giving on the forum but also via email. However, I had Wizard as in favor of the caves at Cottonwood Springs. I furthermore thought that he mentioned in one of his posts that he had not been there so he would like to get to know them or something similby Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Jobe, that website has had that same message for some time. Please see the thread SB Forest Open that started on 11/07/03.by Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Sad, sad, sad! I know better than to get on these threads, however I did want to share some thoughts on some of these "Thanksgiving" weekend threads. My kudos go to those of you like Wizard and Sycamore for not getting involved, as well as those that have excercised considerable restrain in your replies to personal attacks. Katrina, if approving the removal of a squatter from the sprby Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I still think that the closure without proper enforcement increases the risk rather than reduces it. It keeps out the law abiding citizens that wouldn't start a fire, while those that would won't have any problem ignoring the closure. They will probably enjoy not having any pesky DCV members warning them that fires are illegal. In addition with less people down there, if an illegal fire did geby Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I agree with LaughingBear. Let's start by our local authorities. Thanks to Sycamore, DCR, Wizard and LaughingBear for your proof reading and feedback on the letter I drafted this morning. I have made the proposed corrections and I will have the letter in the mail first thing tomorrow. In regards to the DCV meeting for the 6th our hope is to get permission to have it at the springs. However,by Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Wizard, That's cool that you got to see the Bobcat. Did your pooches see it at well?What was their reaction? As for forest recreational users still accessing the forest through the Bowen Ranch, I was under the impression that we covered that issue pretty thoroughly in previous post and no one has denied that fact. Let's now wait for the USFS to do their job and notify Mike of the closure andby Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Keep you fingers crossed and your eyes on the lookout for potential arsonist.by Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
The story mentions that beetles send our a similar smell. It reads: "They use it so they're not living in an overpopulated slum." Do you think we could develop something similar for humans?by Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
See the post regarding the converstaion I had with Ranger Brad on the "DCHS Still Closed" thead regarding this subject.by Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I spoke with Ranger Brad this morning and he apologized for not having had time to respond to my emails. As we all expected they have all been very busy as result of the recent fires. He confirmed that DCHS is officially closed, however he recognized that Mike Castro had not been informed and they had not got around to posting any closure signs. He said that they were going to get out to the Bby Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Very nice report Laughing Bear. While it is was great to see that BLM considered many of our requests, the practical side of enforcing keeping the OHV motorcycles on the designated open routes remains to be seen. I think we will need to remain vigilant and working with the BLM. In addition, I was disappointed to hear thay Casey Burns will no longer be on the team as he appeared to be the mostby Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I have sent another email to Ranger Brad addressing the issue and have not received a reply as well. I agree that if they want to enforce this closure the minimum they could do is give Mike a call and inform him and sed a maintenance employee to post signs at the lower parking lot and PCT trails. Why should mike need to call them if it is the USFS that is proposing to maintain the closure.by Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks for sharing Katrina.by Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I agree I very much doubt that this designation would have anything to do with nudity enforcement. When the USFS staff met with DCV members last month we were told that the only real effect that a WSR dessignation would have is that they would recieve more funds in their budget for enforcement and conservation. As most of our members were nude at the time you would think that if this was even aby Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks Wizard for the report. You would thing that there would be a sign posted at the lower parking lot or the cattle guard gate at the trailhead where the National Forest starts. Does anyone know if there is any kind of sign posted there by the USFS?by Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
This website right now has the following message in bold balck print: "Forest Closure has been lifted."by Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
DCV's position is to respect the USFS regulations including the closure. If someone access through the Bowen Ranch and is caught and cited by the Forest Service, don't expect Mike to help you with the fine. The Bowen Ranch has BLM land around it which is not closed. If a person does not respect the closure and crosses into USFS land that is their responsability. In the article that Katrinaby Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Great photos Wizard. Thanks for sharing and let's all hope that the predictions of this Wizard regarding new mud flows for DCHS may be wrong! Take care all.by Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks for the information Sycamore. I did receive an invitation with week in reply to the letter DCV sent. I am trying to coordinate work to be able to attend Tuesday's meeting.by Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks Sycamore for your very detailed minutes. Our next meeting is scheduled for December 6th. We may need to review the location of this meeting pending on the status of the fires and the SBNF closure. We can start considering this in about three weeks.by Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks Rick for keeping us all posted.by Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Rick wrote: > Of course they haven't been competent enough to post it on their web site. On their website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/ they have added a link to: http://www.incidentcontrol.com/old/index.html at this site is says that both Los Angeles and San Bernardino Forest are officially closed. Apparently today the fire burnt through Skyforest where Ranger Brad is stationby Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks Rick. However, I have been told that NOT breathing is not recommended either. Apparantly not breathing is detrimental to a person's health.by Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
We will be holding our October meeting tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. at the springs. In view of the fires burning in the Fontana and Rancho Cucamonga area please use caution when driving up. If the predicted Santa Ana wind conditions really kick up, the fires could get worse and there could be further freeway closures. So if you are driving up form the valley and can't make it you can still give yourby Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks Rick. DCV will be proceeding with their monthly meeting tomorrow. However, please use caution and common sense in the event of any freeway closures, further fires or Santa Ana wind conditions.by Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
We should probably discuss a more firm attitude from DCV towards campers and fires. Just like we take a firmer position when it comes to glass, we might want to do something similar when we see campers that plan to have fires. We all know the destruction that fires can cause, if after informing a person that fires are illegal they continue to build one, we might want to consider following up wiby Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Well let's keep those soakers of mass destruction in Iraq. Hoops, I forgot, there were none to be found there. Well, let's at least keep them out ot Deep Creek Hot Springs, so they won't trash the place.by Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Sparks Thanks for keeping us all posted on your plans.by Ron - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California