Problems in Rattlesnake Canyon

[100dollarman]

Sounds like you had a nice visit.

Please tell us about the discussion about the signs project. I am curious as to what he said about that. That was the main reason for your meeting wasn't it?

Maybe I missed it somewhere?

When he talked about the rock crawlers, what was his take on the new canyon?

[Roger]

Sounds like you had a nice visit.

Please tell us about the discussion about the signs project. I am curious as to what he said about that. That was the main reason for your meeting wasn't it?

Maybe I missed it somewhere?

When he talked about the rock crawlers, what was his take on the new canyon?

I will PM you Later today

[Guest]

Sounds like you had a nice visit.

Please tell us about the discussion about the signs project. I am curious as to what he said about that. That was the main reason for your meeting wasn't it?

Maybe I missed it somewhere?

When he talked about the rock crawlers, what was his take on the new canyon?

x2. Keep me posted.

[tony m]

Roger, surely your good works and communication will go unnoticed..Thank you!

Apart from MJR, I will pass on the word to my other wheeling buddies. Thanks again.

[nwoods]

[COLOR="Blue"][COLOR="Blue"]
So where to from here?

1. Let's continue to post on other off road websites the issues with Rattlesnake canyon. I know a lot of you belong to other off road sites.

[/COLOR]

Posted on ExPo:
- http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...453#post467453

and SCLR.org:
- http://sclr.org/roverboard.html?func...1&id=2361#2361

Here is my text. Feel free to copy it if you wish:

"The sole remaining cattle rancher in Lucerne Valley operates a 29,000 acre ranch. ALL of Rattlesnake Canyon is within this ranch. The ranchers, Billy & Julie Mitchell, are generally pro-OHV, and have worked with BLM and Wilderness folks to keep the Canyon open. However, Mr. Mitchell has recently had to put down two cattle and one horse due to injuries created by OHV users going too fast through the canyon, and on the north end nearer his house.

The rancher has asked that those of us who enjoy and appreciate the Canyon put out the word to all the internet forums and groups of OHV folks to tell them Rattlesnake Canyon will be shut down if his livelihood is jeopardized (his cattle).

Please do your part to educate others to slow down. Keep the dust and noise to a absolute minimum, give livestock the right of way, and don't scare them off the trail.

Feel free to copy this message to any other online forums you participate in. We have the opportunity to keep this fun trail open, preserving a corridor between the mountains and desert, but we must act responsibly and educate others who may not be as sensitive to the issues at hand.

Tread Lightly!

As an FYI: At least one OHV group, "MyJeepRocks" is actively working with the rancher and helping to create a signage program within the canyon to advise others of the Rules of the Road. If you want to contribute, stay tuned to "www.rattlesnakecanyontrail.com" which is in the process of being set up."

[Roger]

Good Writeup Nathan.

Thanks for posting to those two boards.

FYI - I couldn't access the first one unless I became a member.

[Roger]

Roger, surely your good works and communication will go unnoticed..Thank you!

Apart from MJR, I will pass on the word to my other wheeling buddies. Thanks again.

Typo?

Thanks for the kind words.

[Materdaddy]

Typo?

Thanks for the kind words.

Won't go unnoticed I'm sure... Nice one Tony... thought that typo wouldn't be noticed?

[Roger]

Regarding the question a few posts back about the signs:

After seeing all the signs allready installed, I don't see the need to install any more signs. I got the impression talking to Billy he is okay with us installing additional signs, but I don't think it would add anything.

Right now, it looks very "official" with the new BLM signage.

[tony m]

[QUOTE=Roger;144658]Typo?

Ha.. was not thinking..sorry.

[Desert Jewel]

It's already posted on Pirate4x4 and I posted it on VV4W's site...

[Roger]

[QUOTE=tony m;144709]

Typo?

Ha.. was not thinking..sorry.

I knew what you ment, but I just couldn't let it go

Thanks again for the kind words!

[Roger]

It's already posted on Pirate4x4 and I posted it on VV4W's site...

Thanks Julie!

[Guest]

lol

[jpflat2a]

just some observations, nothing more.

29,000 acres = more/less 60 square miles; that's a huge area.

Did he acquire some/all of Fishers grazing lands/rights?

Since Rattlesnake is BLM land, I doubt he could close it; although he has grazing rights, he has no legal right to close or fence access off; much like mining law. (I'm not a lawyer)

not trying to start a range war here, but he knows what he can and can't do.

it would be best when out on the trail to look after Mr. Mitchells interests; use your eyes and ears and let him know what you see going on out there; he can't be everywhere at once. If you see someone doing something wrong, report it.

The area is seeing increased use by enthusiests who have less and less areas to recreate in.

In Mr. Mitchells case, with his cattle operation, he most likley realizes that it's just a matter of time before someone or some group wants to get his cattle off the land entirely. He must feel like the whole world/civilization is closing in around him. I sympathize with him.

It's sad and a real shame that entire families have been forced out of several generations worth of hard work and a way of life that some politicians or groups say are harming species that have co-existed with the ranches and their families forever....