jim swan lakes area

[preed]

a report filed i thought might be of interest to you guys.
some nice pics... haha
http://knikriver.org/Trails_Report.pdf

[TonyM]

Originally Posted by preed

a report filed i thought might be of interest to you guys.
some nice pics... haha
http://knikriver.org/Trails_Report.pdf

Not just us... depending on what the follow through of the report is, this could have a negative effect on all motorized recreators. Whether you're in a airboat, a canoe or small motor boat, an ATV or OHV... or whatever.

Its pretty clear that there are areas being accessed that probably shouldn't, and that some people definatly litter, but with the efforts going on in that area to keep it clean in the last 5+ or so years, its had a positive impact for sure. You not there is no mention really of the off-road communities effort to keep that place clean...

Maybe someone can confirm whether or not this is something that is being considered for some kind of decision about something? All of the pictures in this report appear to be from 2006 or earlier....

The bottom line, is that these people will not stop until that whole area is shut down to any kind use besides the use they prefer. There is a group out there who seemingly will stop at nothing until they "Anchorage-ify" that area... This is why its important to attend meetings that are held regarding this, and making your voice heard (I am somewhat of a hypocrite on this though, I've only made one meeting ), but if we don't, these people will have there way, and all the dipshits who frequent this area, will be forced to other areas that are less frequented, and the same thing will probably result.

[preed]

oh well, i wasn't meaning it was you guys but id be lying if i said i didn't think about you guys as i was reading it and seeing the huge ruts. i actually thought you guys would like the map with the color coded areas of major impact, then you'll know to go around the red spots... laughing... really just kiddin ya.

that area has gotten too well known. back in the day only a few of us knew the area and it wasn't known that well except for kegger parties. everybody and i mean everybody knows that area is great riding and offers hunting as well. so over the years id guess traffic there has doubled every couple of years. of that, each person has their own ride of preference (atv, air boat, trucks...) its inevitable that terrain is going to pay a price. i wonder though how much is truly impacted wildlife and grass. there seems to be a lot of room.

i actually found the report while reading about the hawk migration and the article mentioned the hawks fly OVER this area. mr whitekeys seems to be a bird fan.

as far as having the land available for use... you right. IMO as long as anties and pro-use people are arguing and fighting about it the longer we have access. as soon as people such as ourselves stop fighting, the other side will win. just look at nancy pelosi....

tell your friends...

[TonyM]

Trucks definatly contribute to the larger ruts, thats for sure, but the trail braiding is almost exclusively ATVs. I see it on other trails as well. What will happen, is a line will be used until it is no longer "Easy" to traverse... and then a new line will be taken, that is "Easy". Most of the ATV guys don't like running their winch, if they can just cut a line 3 feet over parallel to the main line...

Usually in trucks you can't do this. It is usually pretty difficult take a new line in a full size vehicle. Most trails have natural barriers, that unless you have a chainsaw and are willing to lop some trees, you are staying on the main line of the trail. Obviously there are exceptions to this.

We encourage staying on the main line because it keeps braiding from happening, and in the long run, can make the trail more challenging. But you'll see, where a hole develops, or if there is any deep water section.... look at the "Alternate" bypasses. 95% of the time, they are ATV tracks through the woods, or through a fresh unrun piece of swamp.

[ryantowry_81]

tony is right about the different impact trucks vs atv's have on the trails systems and it was even acknowledged by some employees of DNR and is in there literature and they are aware of the problem. the big problem for us exist when ATV's are causeing extensive braiding that there is no way to limit ATV use without limiting our access so they will stop all motorized access if it comes to it. kind of guilty by association.

the part that report seems to neglect is that any human travel will leave deterioration of the vegitation with volume, i mean even if you walk through the marsh with 20,000 people you will create a large trail that will alter the landscape, the best solution is to try and minimize impact not erase it because that is impossible, this has to be done through education to all riders/ drivers to the concequences of their actions if they do start going off trail and deteriorating the land. another good help is trail maps and clear tyrail markings to keep those who are unwillingly going off trail back on their way.