Volume 25, Issue 4 www.backcountryhorse.com Fall 2014 The Great Challenging Trail Submitted by Rick Mathies, BCH of the Flathead, Montana

“I led my first pack string ever... me at 12 years old!!! Overall the trip was worth it, because I will NEVER forget it.”

Left: Kobi and Rick Mathies. Right: Challenge Cabin.

PREFACE NextGen BCHA Before you read the following articles I would like you, the reader, to know a few things. My name is Kobi Mathies and I am 12 years old. I am from Kansas, and had never ridden a horse until June 23rd. My first true Back Country Horseman trip was with my Grandfather on (Youth) July 11th, 2014. Next Generation (NextGen) BCHA highlights our members’ efforts The Great Challenging Trail to engage and educate younger Boy, Mule Ridge Trail was an ex- log pathways. Again, okay for people about the joys and natural treme challenge. We all woke up to a foot traffic, NOT safe for stock wonders of the back country. BCH- delicious breakfast, and a nice morn- use. The stock can’t navigate the ers are also raising awareness ing. The way up was fine, and the roundness of the logs. There are about the challenges of maintain- preparation was easy. When we finally some boggy areas in there that ing access to back country trails reached the trailhead, it looked easy, badly need proper turnpikes. and responsible stewardship of the but as soon as I turned the corner, it was The part of the trail up in the land. The legacy today’s BCHers a nightmare. The horses had to lunge burnt section didn’t have much leave to those who follow in their forward attempting to climb the slope tread. They need work done so boot steps and hoof prints is be- as the trail was covered by debris. The there is ample tread for stock use. At Overall the trip was worth it, be- ing forged through amazing and string had a small wreck, but no one about this time on our journey I led my cause I will NEVER forget it. The creative projects and programs was hurt. That’s when the clearing be- first pack string ever...me at 12 years Challenge Cabin was amazing to stay around the country. There are some gan. We most likely cut enough wood old!!! After that, there is a pass into in, and I highly recommend it to all. I mighty big boots to fill out there. It for a family for an entire winter, pos- trees, with a small creek. After about had fun, with a few good spooks, and may take the NextGen a while to sibly more. We then came to the first a half mile we ran into an area on this I was glad to get back to the cabin and get comfortable in them, but with creek of many. Foot traffic would be trail that had very little tread, this area take a nice hot shower. your help, they will. fine crossing them, but stock traffic, needs work and we marked it with our not so much. They seriously need stock GPS so that the Forest Service would [Read Kobi’s second article friendly bridges. Next we came across be able to fix it. on page 2]

BCHA PO Box 1367 NON-PROFIT ORG. Inside... U.S. POSTAGE Graham WA 98338-1367 NextGen BCHA ...... 2, 16 PAID From the Chairman’s Saddle ...... 3 PERMIT NO. 178 SALEM, OR National Reports ...... 4-5 40th Anniversary ...... 8 The Catch Pen ...... 8-12 BCHA Outreach Campaign ...... 14 Back Country Horsemen of America www.backcountryhorse.com 1 The Easy Breeze Geifer Creek Trail was an easy nately, we had to call it an early day so breeze. Unlike Mule Ridge Trail, Geifer we could clean up the Challenge Cabin Creek was simple. The trail was great, for the next folks coming in tomorrow. and had plenty of tread, and it was a lot Overall, the trail was amazing, and PO Box 1367 safer. Cutting wood in there was easier I won’t forget it. We also cut a few trees Graham WA 98338-1367 too, because the sun was not beating on on Snake Creek Loop, but couldn’t go (888) 893-5161 us constantly. The ride was very relax- all the way because of time. Geifer Trail ing as well, while we could hear a faint was a regular straightforward trail, and Interested in Joining? sound of a pounding waterfall. We had we looked at Zip’s Cabin as well. We Contact BCHA or the organization nearest a bit of excitement on the way to the couldn’t go inside, and there was no you for more information. trail, because a man lost a tire on his place for stock, but it looked like a nice National: BCH of Montana trailer. place to stay in. Again, I was glad to BCH of America PO Box 4864 We cut trees on this trail with my get back to the cabin and take a nice Peg Greiwe Butte MT 59701 Great Great Grandfather’s crosscut hot shower. Executive Secretary markhimmel@bridgemail. saw and our other primitive tools. On Editor’s note: Kobi’s proud grand- Kobi Mathies PO Box 1367 com Graham WA 98338-1367 www.bchmt.org the second creek crossing, we had to father is Rick Mathies. These two ar- (888) 893-5161 re-route the trail because the old trail ticles were written after grandson Kobi Trippet on a trail-clearing project in the FAX (360) 832-1564 BCH of Nevada was in an unstable condition. Unfortu- accompanied his grandfather and Ron Great Bear Wilderness in Montana. [email protected] PO Box 19324 www.backcountryhorse.com Reno NV 89511 (775) 843-2569 State Organizations: [email protected] Flathead Chapter Youth Program – Kalispell, MT BCH of Alabama www.bchnv.com By Rick A. Mathies, Treasurer 783 County Rd 1208 Vinemont AL 35179 BCH of New Mexico Attracting and maintaining younger lot of their attention. We are starting to work on ways to (256) 339-7880 PO Box 37005 members has long been a conversation If we want BCH to continue into expose new youth or young adults to [email protected] Albuquerque NM 87176 piece for our chapter. If you looked at the next and future generations we the backcountry. We strongly believe backcountryhorsemenal.com [email protected] www.bchnm.org the general membership of the Flathead must get these age groups involved at that if they can experience what got Buffalo River BCH, Chapter five years ago, it was a group every level. This year several of the most of us hooked in the first place, we Arkansas BCH of North Carolina of aging members with probably an av- board members made it their mission will attract more who want to protect it 110 Hobbit Lane 18210 Simpson Lane erage age of 55. With this kind of mem- to get younger members involved, ask- and keep the trails open. We encourage Little Rock AR 72223 Pisgah Forest NC 28768 (501) 821-4053 (828) 577-3462 bership average many of our members ing them to go on projects with them, our members to bring their kids or their Jacque.alexander tomthomas262@gmail. just couldn’t pull a string, get up on the taking them by the hand and teaching grandkids on some of the projects, es- @arkansas.gov com saddle or were experiencing what we all them the skills of packing, and helping pecially the trailhead ones so that they www.bchofnc.org BCH of Arizona will as we get older, life’s challenges as them on their first packing trips to build start to get the idea of what BCH does. PO Box 4486 BCH of Oregon our bodies wear out. Many of the older confidence. With this foundation we can build more Chino Valley AZ 86323 37245 Wheeler Rd members have been very reluctant to The chapter also planned a lot of awareness and more understanding of Pleasant Hill OR 97455 (928) 445-3809 address the coming crisis. fun activities, beginning in Febru- the backcountry. www.bchaz.org (541) 746-4547 www.bcho.org Many of our members just wanted ary with a bonfire to kick off the New As I look around at the ages of the BCH of California to hang on to the “way it has always Year. Many of our newest and younger members who are now active in our Black Hills BCH 13061 Rosedale Highway been” and only support those members members attended. Then we had the chapter I find that our average age has Ste G Box 217 of South Dakota Bakersfield CA 93314 20112 Buckin Horse Lane who could support a large string of Meadow Creek trail clearing/campout/ started to shift, we are having some suc- www.bchcalifornia.org Whitewood SD 57793 stock. These members were given pref- clean up annual project. As the time cess in maintaining our new members. (605) 645-2296 erential treatment and in some cases neared, many of the board approached We must continue to try new things BCH of Colorado [email protected] PO Box 1524 www.bhbchsd fuel reimbursements in lieu of members our younger members to attend. We and to involve and make welcome any Elizabeth CO 80107 @blogspot.com with a single packhorse. Over the years had a great turn out. Nearly all of our younger members that come to our www.bchcolorado.org BCH of Tennessee, Inc. with this attitude many of the potential new younger members attended and chapter with the goal of handing off the Florida Forever BCH 777 Cedar Creek Cave Rd younger members simply left because brought their kids and grandkids. We torch to them to continue what this great PO Box 2213 Greeneville TN 37743 they were not made welcome. had 11 youngsters around the age of 12 organization was built on…to keep the Inverness FL 34451-2213 (423) 552-3767 To reach younger people, Andy attend the event. Oddly, hardly any of trails open in the backcountry. [email protected] (352) 628-2973 Breland and Chuck Allen started a our older members were there. [email protected] www.bchet.org [Read more Nextgen articles on the http://www.ffbch.org/ packing clinic five years ago for the We also planned another trailhead BCH of Utah vocational-agricultural students of the project. The Swan Ranger district need- back page.] BCH of Georgia PO Box 13195 PO Box 1471 Ogden UT 84412 Kalispell Public Schools. These students ed help in putting Owl Creek Trailhead Blue Ridge GA 30513 (801) 985-1909 are in their junior year from Flathead and Packer Camp back to the original 706-374-7075 www.bchu.com High School and Glacier High School. purpose as a packers’ trailhead. We had [email protected] Virginia BCH Chuck and Andy teach them about the plenty of work to do at the trailhead and BCH of Idaho 55 Lost Creek Lane basics of packing, how to manty, fit a lot of gravel to pack for the main trail PO Box 513 Buena Vista VA 24416 a pack saddle, tie on a load and gen- into the wilderness. We made this a Salmon ID 83467 (540) 570-1910 eral defensive horse safety along with packing training for our new members www.bchi.org deborasensaba@ gmail.com Leave No Trace (LNT). Typically, they and many of those packed for the very BCH of Illinois have between 30 and 35 students each first time. It was a great weekend. We Rt # 2 BOX 214 BCH of Washington year. Two students went to the Forest had 55 members attend and the bulk Golconda IL 62938 110 W 6th Ave PMB 393 (618) 672-4841 Ellensburg WA 98926 Service, one to a Hot Shot Crew, one of those were new members. Our new [email protected] (509) 276-6226 is a Vet Tech, and two are wranglers members gained much needed experi- www.bchw.org for an outfitter. This is an outstanding ence and confidence. Hoosier BCH Indiana 12784 E Rollins Lane BCH of West Virginia program that begins to expose our high We also started a program with the Springville IN 47462 PO Box 216 school students about what BCH does 4H in the Flathead Valley; Alden Tot- (812) 797-4540 Wardensville WV 26851 best. For the past six years, Andy and ten became a certified leader so that he hoosierhorsemen (304) 897-5795 Chuck have been involved with Be- could conduct a packing clinic at one @yahoo.com Dianeand4mules @yahoo.com coming an Outdoor Woman (BOW). of the 4H events. The clinic took place BCH of Kansas Approximately 30 women participate at the Valley’s 4H camp and had about 1409 Lincoln Road BCH of Wyoming in a packing clinic, LNT, and outdoor 15 young 4Hers attend the clinic. They Concordia KS 66901 2446 Spriggs Dr 785-243-2494 Lander WY 82520 cooking. were all excited to learn about packing steve.lindsey@lia_ks.com [email protected] With these two programs as a foun- and how the BCH does work for the www.wyobch.org dation, the Flathead chapter made a Forest Service. Kentucky BCH 7900 Wades Mill Road Affiliates: huge commitment to attracting some I was asked to give a packing dem- Mt. Sterling KY 40353 BCH of Alaska younger members. Let me be clear on onstration at the Family Life Church’s (859) 744-0397 PO Box 3148 what we mean by younger members -- first Kids Camp. Kids were exposed to [email protected] Palmer AK 99645 anyone younger than 50 years old. It is lots of activities including, horseback www.kybch.com (907) 360-0480 kaylene.johnson@ imperative that we attract and maintain riding, horse training, camping, swim- Show-Me Missouri BCH gmail.com members in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. The ming and packing. I showed about 15 519 Good Hope Road demographics of these younger mem- kids how to fit a packsaddle, how to Marshfield, MO 65706 BCH Pigeon River and (417) 859-0600 Beyond, MI, Inc. bers have changed in relationship to manty, and how to tie on a load. Then www.showmebch.org 6631 E Ashard Road what has been the norm over the last 40 each of the kids got to manty up a bar Clare MI 48617 years. They work, typically have one of soap with miniature mantys and (517) 296-4475 [email protected] or maybe two pack animals, and may string that they could take home as a have younger children who require a memento of their experience.

2 www.backcountryhorse.com Back Country Horsemen of America From the Chairman’s Saddle BCH members. However, getting the word out and explaining crowdfund- ing to our members took more time than we planned. Therefore less time was available for our members to carry the message to other trail-riding clubs. Only about 10-15% of our contribu- tions came from non-members. Among the many incentives to con- Horsemen, Change and a World Lit These two horsemen, who died a year tribute to the campaign, the premier in- Only by Fire apart in the mid-1960s, came into a centives were the trail riding and pack- At the close of the Indian Wars in world lit only by fire but left the world ing trips. The week before Labor Day, 1889, nine-year-old Douglas MacAr- when it was planning to put a man on By Jim McGarvey, Chairman my wife Cindy and I took two BCH thur, the future five-star general, rode the moon. Hello Everyone… – NV members for two days of riding at cavalry patrols with his father, the Churchill and MacArthur did not As chairman, I have learned an Great Smoky Mountains National Park commandant of Ft. Selden in the New just accept Change or modify Change; interesting phenomenon occurs each as a reward for their $2.000 contribu- Mexico Territory. Born six years before they wrestled Change by the collar and summer within the BCH community. tion to the BCH fundraiser. Jill Bradley, MacArthur, a sub Lieutenant named literally dragged Change kicking and Email traffic drops off, issues do not publisher of the Valley Horse News and Winston Churchill rode with the 21st screaming into the future. But in all that seem as urgent, and all seems a bit bet- Bev Pohlmann both of Las Vegas rode Lancers in the last cavalry charge of the period of astounding change their lives ter in our world. Of course, the issues, and enjoyed the considerable change of British Empire at the Battle of Omdur- encompassed, they never lost sight of challenges and concerns are still there; scenery that is in this National Park. All man, Sudan in 1898. their values or purpose - ever. And like it’s just we put those problems on the four of us had a really great time. Both of these men were born into these two great horsemen, I see the back burner through the summer so we a world lit only by fire. The telephone, members of the Back Country Horse- can be with our horses, mules and trails A Special Thank You to Ami McBride of light bulb, automobile, airplane and men capable of making change work which is, after all, the purpose of what California BCH mass production were still in the future. while keeping our values and purpose. we do as Back Country Horsemen. Ami McBride, BCH CA member has for the past several years volunteered a great deal of her time to the so- ���������������������� cial media needs of the ���������������������������� BCHA. Ami has grown our FaceBook page with TrailMAX™ Bear Proof Pack Panniers her enthusiasm, her grasp • Easy to use, economical panniers are ideal for packing average-sized loads of what is important, and • Contoured sides fit properly on horse or mule without pressure points • Meets all USFS & IGBC requirements for bear-resistant storage containers timely news for our mem- • All rigging straps and top pack attachment dees included for use on a bers. One of Ami’s greater Decker or Sawbuck pack saddle We offer a wide selection of and more difficult tasks soft-sided panniers as well! was educating our national board members in the val- Outfitters Supply Pack Saddles ue and intricacies of social Built for a lifetime of hard use; handcrafted in Montana of Hermann Oak Old World Harness leather with rolled media – she always did an breeching and breastcollar, and stainless steel arches. admirable job with a dif- Two Decker tree styles, two half-breed styles and ficult student body. In my Sawbuck pack saddles available. mind, where Ami did her TrailMAX™ Saddlebags Outfitters Supply has become the leader in equestrian saddlebag best work was this year’s design and manufacturing. Why? Because we have used, repaired Some Final Thoughts on “Keeping the national board meeting in Chattanooga. and sold saddlebags for over 25 years. We design our saddlebags to ensure Trails Open for All Campaign” Ami operated the live streaming equip- that they (1) do not shift or slap the The total raised for our online fund- ment nearly flawlessly. Live streaming horse, (2) easily store lightweight gear raising campaign was $100,021! This was new to all of us and she made it for any length ride, (3) would last just as long as our desire to ride down the amount is such a great statement of the work. Ami is handing off the social me- trail. Quality and functionality have commitment by the members and sup- dia responsibilities of BCHA as she is always been our top priorities. porters of the BCH – a job well done. now onto another challenge - studying Also available: Cooler Inserts for our Original Saddlebags, Junior Saddlebags and Original Pommel Bags! The question arises, “So, what is the for her second B.S. in nursing. Thank money going to be used for?” The dis- you, Ami, and God speed. Premium leather hobbles, scabbards bursement of the funds will be divided and tack, proudly made in the USA into four equal parts: BCHA and Our Public Lands Advocacy • $25,011 will go to the BCH Work Education Foundation to be distributed As you will read in Randy Rasmus- as grants to BCH chapters. Please see sen’s article, we have been very busy Mylon Filkins’ article in this newsletter working with The Wilderness Society explaining the application process. and the American Horse Council on Highline Kits, Swivels, • $25,000 will support the posi- putting together HR 4886 the National Tree Savers, Picket Kits, tion of our Public Lands and Recre- Forest Trails Stewardship Act. At this Picket Pins, Hobbles, and ation Advisor Randy Rasmussen. This time, the bill has 17 co-sponsors in the Portable Electric Fence Kits allotment follows the guidelines set by U.S. House and we are hopeful of more the Foundation that provided the chal- co-sponsors signing on. Past Chairman lenge grant monies. and current Public Liaison Committee • Another $25,011 will go to the Chair Alan Hill has also been a great BCH general fund. The purpose is not part of this effort, as has Phil Ryan of for spending but rather to buttress our BCH Idaho. finances for the future as we build our Randy will also have news on our TrailMAX™ cash position to fill the much-needed efforts to continue riding at Bryce Can- TrailMAX™ Scabbards Saddle Panniers position of Executive Director within yon National Park and the tremendous We also proudly carry quality gear from: the next 18-24 months. amount of work he and the High Sierra • The last $25,000 will go to BCH unit in California have done on cover the expenses of the campaign in- the Sequoia-Kings Canyon National cluding processing fees, the incentives, Parks Draft Wilderness Stewardship and outside contracting. On a national Plan. A final piece of good news; we ���������� scale, this expense (approximately 25% were notified that the Director of the of revenues) is a reasonable ratio for all National Park Service Jonathon Jarvis Contact Us for a FREE Catalog & Dealer List types of fundraising campaigns. has signed the Memorandum of Un- When we were putting the crowd- derstanding (MOU) with BCHA. I will 1-888-467-2256 funding plan together, I was thinking have more information on this develop- that half of the contributions would ment in emails to you and in the next www.OutfittersSupply.com come from trail riders who were non- newsletter. 7373 US Highway 2 East, Columbia Falls, MT 59912

Back Country Horsemen of America www.backcountryhorse.com 3 BCHA National Reports Mission Statement 1. To perpetuate the common sense Public Lands Report use and enjoyment of horses By Randy Rasmussen in America’s back country and New Bill in Congress Promotes Volun- booth for the conference and BCHA’s through Congress, which President wilderness areas. teers as One Means to Address Forest Advisor for Public Lands & Recreation Obama signed into law, to stop the Service Trail Maintenance Backlog will participate in a panel discussion Park Service from cancelling commer- 2. To work to insure that public lands As Jim McGarvey noted in the titled “Engaging the Full Spectrum of cial outfitter permits for a few seasons remain open to recreational use. Chairman’s report, BCHA and its part- Wilderness Stewardship: Partner View- while it sorted out its response to the points.” For more information, visit litigation (the Sequoia and Kings Can- 3. To assist the various government ners continue to demonstrate support and private agencies in their for the forest trails bill currently be- www.wilderness50th.org yon National Parks Backcountry Ac- maintenance and management of fore Congress, known as the National cess Act). The bill also required the said resource. Forest System Trails Stewardship Act BCHA and State BCH Alliances Keep- Park Service to complete by June 2015 (H.R. 4886). The bill was introduced in ing National Parks Open for You a Wilderness Stewardship Plan (WSP). 4. To educate, encourage and solicit June 2014 and carries strong bipartisan The power of BCHA and its net- BCHA and members of the HSU active participation in the wise and support. If enacted, it would require the work of national, state and chapter or- met with the park superintendent and sustaining use of the back country U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to develop ganizations never cease to amaze me. staff on several occasions to share in- resource by horsemen and the a strategy to double trail maintenance We continue to prove the long political formation and convey expectations for general public commensurate with undertaken by volunteers and partners reach of our grassroots-based organi- the forthcoming WSP. Park personnel our heritage. within five years. zation when we combine our energy were open and amiable. We continue to Call to action: Please call or write toward ensuring that “public lands re- maintain positive dialogue with SEKI’s 5. To foster and encourage the your member of Congress today to ex- main open to recreational stock use.” exceptional staff. formation of new state Back Country press support for H.R. 4886! You can The past nine months yielded several The parks’ draft WSP, issued in Horsemen’s organizations. locate contact information for your noteworthy examples of how we suc- June 2014, addressed more than just representative at www.house.gov/rep- cessfully combined our voices to pro- commercial outfitters and their clien- resentatives/find/ tect saddle and pack stock use in our tele. Plan alternatives included poten- national parks. tially sweeping changes to how private BCHA Calendar A key objective of the USFS sup- recreational stock users experience ported by the strategy would be to in- Bryce Canyon National Park park Wilderness, including: 2014 crease volunteerism and partnerships We issued an action alert via email • Smaller party sizes; in Forest Service regions with the most and on the BCHA website about a pro- • Additional meadows closed to 50th Anniversary of The severe trail maintenance needs and posal that would have fundamentally grazing (with one alternative where Wildernss Act where the current backlog in trail main- changed the way private equestrians grazing would be prohibited through- tenance is jeopardizing public access to experience Bryce Canyon National out park Wilderness); October National Wilderness national forest lands. The strategy also Park. The proposal would have re- • Designation of 42 miles of ex- 14-19 Conference would: quired the park’s commercial wrangler isting trails as hiker-only; and Albuquerque NM • Explore opportunities to use accompany all private equestrians. Fees • Elimination of “structures” fire crews in trail maintenance activi- would have ranged from $100 to $345 such as drift fences and hitch rails. December Rocky Mountain Elk ties in a manner that does not jeopar- depending on party size. We found these alternatives hard 4-7 Foundation’s Hunter dize firefighting capabilities, public BCHA and BCH Utah reached out to swallow, particularly when the draft Christmas Expo - Las safety or resource protection. to park staff at Bryce Canyon to offer WSP recognizes that: “Private and rec- thoughts on other solutions that would reational stock use is a historically and Vegas NV (BCH booth) • Spur the creation of a pilot pro- gram to determine how and under what resolve potential safety and park re- culturally significant traditional use conditions outfitters and guides might source concerns without the need to that is an appropriate means for fulfill- 2015 contribute to reducing the trail mainte- hire a wrangler. Park personnel were ing the recreational purpose of wilder- April 22-25 BCHA National Board nance backlog. receptive to hearing alternatives and ness” (draft WSP, page 32). Meeting - CA • Establish, with public input, 9 welcomed our constructive input. Fur- Public comment letters submitted to 15 priority landscapes for increased ther, our action alerts prompted an out- by BCHA and the HSU invoked numer- May 17-20 American Trails trail maintenance accomplishments. pouring of BCH member letters (nearly ous law and policy arguments against International Trails Clearly, H.R. 4886 would do much 400) that questioned the need for such the proposed restrictions. For example, Symposium - Portland OR to elevate the role of volunteers and part- an unprecedented proposal. The vol- some of the restrictions were proposed (BCHA will have a booth) ners, like BCHA, to address the Forest ume of letters, coupled with in-person merely because a vocal minority of Service trail maintenance backlog. Yet meetings by BCH Utah’s leadership to hikers/backpackers reported that they volunteers alone cannot be expected to discuss issues and devise solutions won would prefer to view ungrazed mead- 2016 fill the current gap created by insuffi- the day! ows. This, despite the fact that visita- April 20-23 BCHA National Board cient funding and dwindling agency The park superintendent an- tion by private stock users is only two Meeting - NV resources. Volunteers can continue to nounced he would drop the proposed percent (2%) of all overnight visitation play a supplementary role, but should rule and work closely with BCH Utah in park Wilderness. Moreover, recre- not be viewed as a replacement for trail to structure a Leave No Trace and trail ational stock use in the parks is down crew-related funding from Congress. etiquette orientation for private eques- significantly, with recent stock use lev- Index of Sponsors There remains hope that our con- trians visiting the park. Park personnel els by private individuals less than half gressional champions, representatives thanked us on multiple occasions for (58%) of the levels documented by the American Endurance Ride Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Tim generating an outpouring of citizen let- parks in the 1980s (when much of the Conference ...... 5 Walz (D-MN) can secure hearings for ters that were courteous and construc- current park Wilderness was formally H.R. 4886 this fall. Trail champions in tive. The success serves as testimony designated by Congress). Back Country Store ...... 13 the Senate have signaled interest in in- for how BCHA can tap into the strength The outcome of the SEKI WSP troducing a bipartisan companion bill. of our grassroots membership and spur remains an issue of high concern to Bear Country Containers ...... 5 So we hold out hope for continued mo- a search for solutions in a manner that BCHA, as stock use in the parks already mentum in Congress this fall. is welcomed by the agency. is among the most restricted among Chris Tornow Saddlemaker ...... 13 At a minimum, the flurry of activ- any units of the National Park System. ity on H.R. 4886 has secured a lead- Sequoia-Kings Canyon National BCHA and BCH California support the Kern Valley Veterinary Clinic ...... 11 ership role for BCHA and its partners Parks Park Service’s stated goal of the WSP to in ongoing negotiations to resolve the BCHA teamed up with the High Si- undertake management that preserves Kinsey Horsemanship ...... 9 trail maintenance crisis. We expect that erra Unit (HSU) of BCH CA to develop wilderness character. Yet we take issue Congress in 2015 would quickly pick detailed public comments regarding the with many proposals, including those Riding Warehouse ...... 5 up where we left off. draft Wilderness Stewardship Plan for within the agency’s Preferred Alterna- the Sequoia-Kings Canyon (SEKI) Na- tive that would disproportionately and Outfitters Supply ...... 3 National Wilderness Conference, Albu- tional Parks. You will recall that SEKI adversely affect recreational stock us- querque, NM (October 15-19) has been on BCHA’s radar for years as ers. We believe that the purported ben- Trailhead Supply ...... 7 BCHA, along with our partners a result of litigation from a group that efits are unmeasurable and cannot be and federal land management agen- is anti-recreational stock use and that demonstrated to preserve or enhance Check out cies, will formally celebrate the 50th sued the Park Service over commercial wilderness character, particularly when www.BackCountryHorse.com anniversary of the Wilderness Act at pack trips in the parks. compared to the Park Service’s stated for more advertisers!! the National Wilderness Conference to In 2012, we teamed up with The baseline condition when park Wilder- be held this fall in Albuquerque, NM. Wilderness Society, American Horse ness was designated. BCH of NM has secured a vendor’s Council, and BCH CA to move a bill 4 www.backcountryhorse.com Back Country Horsemen of America National Reports Public Lands Report BCH Education Foundation Announces [continued] Olympic National Park practicing and promoting Leave No 2015 Grants This is another example where lo- Trace™ and other Tread Lightly tech- BCH Education Foundation is now dation. Special consideration is given cal BCH officers with on-the-ground niques. We hope to impress upon the accepting applications for $1,000.00 to applications that offer partnerships knowledge teamed up with BCHA to Park Service that the views and social grants. Grants will be awarded to 25 with public land agencies and or other provide public review and comment on preferences of saddle and pack stock BCH Chapters and/or BCH State orga- user groups. a plan that would substantially affect users are just as important as those of nizations for qualified projects. Grant Letters of endorsement from public access and the use and enjoyment of other Wilderness visitors. funds are made possible by the success- agencies are encouraged. Grant appli- park Wilderness by private stock users. ful BCHA crowdfunding campaign. cations and letters of endorsement can In this case, the Park Service issued for Yellowstone National Park Applications are due by February 1, be mailed to Back Country Horsemen public review and comment prelimi- As reported in BCHA’s Spring 2014 2015. Successful applicants will be no- Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1367, nary draft alternatives for the Olympic newsletter (Good News from Yellow- tified no later than March 15, 2015. Graham, Washington 98338-1367. National Park Wilderness Stewardship stone National Park), BCHA teamed Qualified grant projects are: Emailed application packages should Plan. with WY BCH to submit detailed pub- 1. Trail and/or trailhead construc- go to [email protected]. The public lands officer of BCH lic comments regarding the environ- tion and maintenance. Mailed applications should include WA coordinated with a broad outdoor mental analysis for Yellowstone Na- 2. Training, certification and/or five copies of your entire packet. recreation coalition, which included tional Park’s renewal of its contacts for presenting minimum impact practices Any questions about applications climbing, boating, hiking and moun- commercial stock outfitters. Respond- with saddle and pack stock, i.e., “Leave or the grant process can be directed to: taineering organizations. They met ing to an action alert from BCHA, No Trace”. Peg Greiwe at with park staff and developed a joint BCH members submitted the majority 3. Educational programs that pro- [email protected] or comment letter that addressed specif- of 156 public comment letters received mote cooperative interaction with other [email protected] ic proposals, including restrictions to by the park from individual citizens. user groups and public land managers Mylon Filkins, D.V.M., Chair at recreational stock use that collective- Importantly, long-standing relations regarding safety, care, and protection of [email protected]. ly would limit recreational access to and mutual respect shared among park our backcountry resources. Olympic Wilderness. personnel, the outfitter community and 4. Educational brochures and/or Thank you for all you do. BCHA interviewed the park super- local BCH chapters created a positive BCH promotional literature Back Country Horsemen Education intendent, who was receptive to dialogue atmosphere in which the park service 5. Research concerning the wise Foundation Directors and problem solving. We submitted a sought not to unduly restrict commer- and sustainable use of the back country public comment letter that augmented cial outfitters but to instead preserve a resources. Mylon Filkins, D.V.M. (CA) the coalition’s letter and invoked spe- valuable visitor service that “is often The grant application form is avail- Randy Darling (WA) cific policy and law arguments that recognized as part of the Yellowstone able on the www.backcountryhorse. Becky Hope (OR) we believe set firm sideboards for the experience.” com website by following the Educa- Michael Murphy (CA) agency’s pending decision. We view tion tab and link to the Education Foun- Karen Saner (WY) such sideboards as critical, particularly Efforts to Continue Building Bridg- given that some draft WSP alternatives es with the National Park Service considered significant reductions in ac- And the success stories continue. In cess related to recreational stock use. addition to the national Memorandum Compete. Have fun. (Or both.) Yet these restrictions were proposed in of Understanding (MOU) to be signed the absence of verifiable data that un- in October by BCHA Chairman Jim Try Endurance! 25-50-100 mile rides on beautiful trails acceptable impacts are widespread and McGarvey and the Director of the Na- All equine breeds • Mileage awards programs cannot be mitigated via other means, tional Park Service, the Buffalo River Interested? Call for free info packet such as visitor education, minor trail BCH AR maintains a MOU with Park American Endurance Ride Conference reroutes in sensitive areas, and through Service at the Buffalo National River www.aerc.org • 866-271-2372 use of monitoring and best available for trail and river stewardship, educa- science. tion and search and rescue activities. As with the recent issue at Bryce We hope that the new BCHA-Na- Canyon and the current SEKI Wil- tional Park Service MOU will serve as derness Stewardship Plan, we remain a model and springboard for other BCH hopeful that we can continue to work chapters to enter into agreements with Bear Country Containers cooperatively with the National Park local national parks in the spirit of co- Service to develop solutions that mini- operation and to ensure that these pub- SIBBG (CA) approved and mize the adverse effects of recreational lic lands “remain open to recreational IGBC certified bear resistant stock use while preserving and enhanc- stock use.” aluminum PACK PANNIERS ing wilderness character. We recognize Keep up the good work, BCH vol- that every user group imparts an impact unteers, chapters, and state organiza- on the landscape. In general, we know tions! Our combined voices and your the greater the level of visitation to a energy and passion for the backcountry park, the greater the impact to the trails and Wilderness are making a substan- and surrounding landscape. Horsemen tial impact. and others have made great strides in Note: The NPS MOU will be on the BCHA website as soon as possible. Durable, airline approved State volunteer hour reports are very Our products are made with GUN CASES important to BCHA. an all aluminum body and  Volunteerism is one of the most all stainless steel hardware important ac�vi�es BCHA can use in and corner ends are doubled, our effort to perpetuate enjoyable welded and gusseted for common sense use of horses in the greater durability. backcountry.  Volunteerism earns horsemen a seat at the table where decisions Various models of panniers and gun cases are available. concerning access to public lands by pack and saddle stock users are See website for details: www.BearCountryContainers.com made. Contact us by email at: [email protected]  Individual volunteer efforts support the Back Country Horsemen of Call 406.763.4364 Made in Montana America mission statement. Box 38, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730 by Jerry Kawasaki  Volunteer service by BCHA is con- All Na�onal Directors: sistently underreported. are reminded it is �me to have their state volunteer hours coordi- nators submit reports to the BCHA Volunteer Hours Chairman: Larry Zauberis (larry@77ou�it.com) ▪ (970)247-3231 or to Peg Greiwe, Execu�ve Secretary

Back Country Horsemen of America www.backcountryhorse.com 5 Becoming Responsible Visitors By Roland Cheek Roland Cheek is one of the founding maintenance. We received much favor- the belief that the present institutional right. But it’s a privilege we’ve already fathers of BCHA. In the summer news- able media coverage. Word of mouth regime, within certain top-down direc- earned in some places, and can earn in letter (Vol. 25, Iss. 3), Roland consid- spread. And wonder of wonders, other tions, permits each management level others if there’s that paradigm change ered the rights and privileges of riding folks in other communities—even from to exercise their own on-the-ground ap- to recognize our service and education- our horses on public land. Now he asks other states—demonstrated an interest plications. It’s a loose governing policy al value, instead of just that of another us to consider ways to more firmly seize in utilizing our techniques to ensure that most of us can probably agree is pressure group. that opportunity by becoming responsi- continuing opportunity for stock use in commendable: find the right person to Okay, sounds good, Roland. So all ble—perhaps indispensable—visitors. their areas! do a job, then get the hell out of way we must do is instill a love for—or at At the time we could not have and let him or her do it. What is lack- least an acceptance of—horseback rid- What of the big picture? How can dreamed the organization would mush- ing, however, is that it’s a policy that ing on public lands. we secure the opportunity to ride horses room with chapters all across America. can leave the opportunity to ride our Uhh, how? on public lands throughout posterity? However, our program development, horses on public trails subject to limbo I don’t know—that’s a purview be- Good question. This question was incorporating resource service and edu- at the whim of a low-level manager yond my job description. one with which the first pilot group of cation, still serves. This is evidenced by who might have a bias. I might be a pretty good historian. Back Country Horsemen wrestled. Ar- the 372,000 documented hours of ser- What’s needed is an institutional I may even be a fair-to-middlin’ crystal guing for the preservation of historical vice to the resource that Back Country paradigm that favors trail riding where ball gazer. But you don’t have to peruse use seemed insufficient to be entirely Horsemen all across America produced appropriate, and especially where these “epistles” very far to understand convincing, no matter how forcefully in 2012. That’s more than just a feature, there’s history of pack and saddle stock that I have few diplomatic skills. I have presented. We adopted a strategy of it’s one hell of a benefit, translating out trail use. none at all when it comes to politics. service and education as guiding prin- to an estimated cash equivalent value Right now, it seems, there’s a huge And it seems to me that’s where BCHA ciples. of twelve million bucks! And that ain’t vacuum—maybe even a black hole— needs to be now. Perhaps it’s likely We recognized that there were in- pocket change—even during our na- on the subject. Where there should be they’re already moving in that direction. deed many cases of poor stock handling tion’s present era of dollar decline. a top-level mandate for lower-level After all, if I understand it correctly, practices leading to resource degrada- To even suggest in our wildest managers to carefully explore other you currently have a Washington D.C. tion by some individuals (usually novice dreams that BCH would develop into solutions to potential problems, there’s presence with potential political and riders). Our initial group invested over one of the most vigorous and respected an all-too-often tendency to embrace bureaucratic contacts? Maybe through 80 percent of their first-year’s operating outdoors service and educational orga- knee-jerk riding restrictions as the first already in-place efforts, the organiza- budget in producing printed materials nizations in America would’ve boggled rattle out of the box. Surely the 372,000 tion is approaching the credibility “tip- (guide booklet, newsletters) on proper the imaginations of that first club’s hours of service Back Country Horse- ping point” that will lead to the much- handling of stock in the backcountry, as founders. But that’s what’s happened! men contributes in a single year war- needed institutional paradigm change freely distributed handouts. Over 5,000 It happened in California and Colora- rants better consideration! advocated above. If so, great! booklets were printed that first year, do, Wyoming and Washington, Indiana Paradigm change is the ticket. Now let me make another pre- largely distributed through U.S. Forest and Idaho. All across America it hap- What’s needed are a Forest Service paredness suggestion: That you devel- Service offices. pened—and is still happening. So how Chief and his ten Regional Foresters op a “playbook” to aid BCHers beset We also held demonstrations incor- can there possibly be a question in any who recognize—and embrace—BCHA by what they deem as unacceptable porating proper stock handling tech- land manager’s mind that we belong? members and our four-footed friends restrictions. Perhaps that playbook niques while trail riding and overnight on public lands. Without that kind of should be augmented by a flying squad camping. So much for the past. Now let’s discuss consideration, controversy will con- of volunteers trained in the techniques And we developed an in-club pro- the future … tinue to erupt in isolated places, from of evaluating and addressing manage- gram of volunteering our services to Assateague’s seashore to California’s ment concerns; actual support people both National Park Service and U.S. In the four couples’ rap session that High Sierras. We need Forest Supervi- who could offer real-time assistance to Forest Service to work on clearing trails, the McGarveys, Ausks, and Schatzs en- sors and District Rangers to recognize beleaguered members in isolated cases building trailhead facilities, and wilder- gineered my wife and me into at that us for our value to their resource re- to help themselves. ness campsite cleanup. During that first evening pizza party, came the question sponsibilities. We need Park Rangers year, the club contributed hundreds of of what can be done? as welcoming managers. U.S. Fish & Okay, I’m done … man-hours in effective work projects Never one to secret my opinions, Wildlife reserve managers. Bureau of to aid the agencies to accomplish their I mused that somehow BCHA needed Land Management managers, state for- … Except that after having ex- management responsibilities. to work on a paradigm change among esters, and state game preserve manag- plored the “Right or Privilege” ques- Our service and education programs agency managers at the topmost level. ers. Private forestland managers can tion, I have this other equally important worked well to achieve credibility for It’s a concept that rattled like a pinball sometimes be receptive; the list seems conundrum: What comes first, opportu- that nascent group. Land managers were machine all the way to Utah for Jane’s endless. nity or responsibility? impressed when we dedicated muscle and my Canyonlands’ vacation. My Certainly many such opportuni- and money into resource protection and conclusion is that it’s hard to refute ties must exist as privilege and not as a BCHA – Working Together to Protect Your Right to Ride By Darrell Wallace and Randy Rasmussen Thirty years ago, founders of the and more reasonable alternatives con- to the issue. whether an issue on public lands might Back Country Horsemen knew that they sidered. Chairman McGarvey has done have regional or national implications. needed to band together to keep trails As Randy’s report in this newslet- much to enhance the flow of commu- Your state BCH contact can also facili- open to stock use and the power of as- ter discussed, changes proposed by the nications between BCHA and state or- tate dialogue with BCHA. Sometimes, sociation remains true today. Today, lo- agency at Bryce Canyon National Park ganizations. In addition to regular com- it might simply be advice from either cal riders become aware of an issue and and Sequoia-Kings Canyon National munications with BCHA’s Executive that gives you confidence in taking the try to work out a local solution. Some- Parks called for a high level of engage- Committee and National Board mem- next step with the agency. Their role is times it just isn’t there. Sometimes the ment and accompanying BCH public bers, he convenes monthly calls with to assist BCH’s valuable volunteers, so issue comes from a national or regional comment letters. Without BCH team- state BCH presidents and chairpersons reach out to them when needed. policy change, or even from the courts. work, long-standing tradition and free- to share updates on key BCHA pro- You are not alone when dealing When the Olympic National Park in dom to access these parks might have grams and initiatives. The calls provide with state and federal agencies. You Washington State issued its draft Wil- been curtailed. for feedback on our national programs can enlist the support of your state or- derness Stewardship Plan, local riders Banding together to support stock and sharing of emerging issues from the ganization and/or BCHA. Both have were astounded to see that one alter- use on public lands is nothing new to states. A key component of those calls considerable experience developing native reduced trails open to stock use BCHA – it is one of the primary rea- is the public lands updates provided by partnerships with agency personnel and by 27% and another alternative by 46 sons that BCHA has grown to include Randy. State officers, in turn, feed him in dealing with thorny issues. That’s percent! This happened despite BCHW so many states in recent years. Our information on public land and access one of the benefits of the chapter-state- members devoting thousands of hours success stories from the efforts of now- issues of importance to them and their national BCH structure. Our muscle at to trail maintenance in the Park and retired Dennis Dailey have prompted chapters. the grassroots level is what makes us what BCHW members thought was several states to organize chapters and If you catch wind of emerging is- strong and unique among the national a great relationship. BCHW leaders to seek help with local issues that have sues related to public lands that you trails community. Yet we benefit great- sought help from BCHA and BCHA regional or national importance. A big enjoy, whether they positively or ly by linking our efforts with our state Advisor for Public Lands & Recreation part of that success comes from our negatively affect your access, the first and national BCHA organizations when Randy Rasmussen was quick to make practice of first seeking the local and course of action is to contact your times arise when a little extra muscle suggestions. Randy contacted the Park state views of the situation. Then we chapter’s public lands officer or liai- might be needed. Superintendent and worked with state consistently work with state and local son. In the absence of a chapter con- and local leaders to ensure that back BCH leaders to ensure that we know tact, reach out to your state BCH public country horsemen’s voices were heard and effectively use the facts pertinent lands officer. They can help you gauge 6 www.backcountryhorse.com Back Country Horsemen of America Three Women Ride Across Kentucky for Charity DougTales West’s beautiful of storytelling the and photos Trails perfectly capture why BCHers invest so much in public lands. A heartfelt thanks to Doug for sharing his experiences and reminding us that the work is worth every penny donated and every bit of Three women from Central Ken- volunteer sweat equity BCH members put into trail maintenance and stewardship of the land. tucky will be riding 137 miles on horseback and carriage from Greenup, KY to Sadieville, KY this fall. The ride Lamar Valley benefits the Kentucky Back Country Horsemen (KyBCH). KyBCH is an or- Soda Butte to ganization that works to keep trails in natural areas open for all users through Pelican Creek volunteer maintenance, trail design and By Doug West use education, and land manager rela- Two things stand out when visit- tions. ing Yellowstone National Park – the Edith Conyers (Mt. Sterling), Gin- incredible scenic grandeur and the traf- ny Grulke (Lexington), and Anne Hus- fic. Traffic jams are common as ve- ted (Paris) will take 12 days to cover hicles slow for buffalo walking in the approximately 137 miles. They will road. Cars and trucks pull over to catch be riding horseback as well as driving a fleeting glimpse of a bear. While that a carriage pulled by two ponies. The may be the Yellowstone along the high- route chosen goes along small rural way and at the various overlooks, an- roads, and the group hopes to meet and other Yellowstone starts a few hundred talk to rural Kentuckians on their way. yards off the oiled road. Horse packing “We all enjoy riding on trails,” said 40 miles from Soda Butte to Pelican Soda Butte Trail Head, Lamar River. Edith Conyers, “and we enjoy rural Creek gives you the back country ad- Kentucky life, so this trip allows us to venture that is the real Yellowstone. experience both and benefit a worthy Any park visitor with good sense organization.” Ginny Grulke added, would have looked at the dark, over- “You can’t appreciate the beauty of cast sky and driven back to a comfort- Kentucky until you get far away from able motel room. But, after hauling the interstates and large cities. This trip six horses 400 miles, waiting for clear will take us right through that beauty, as skies was not an option. Back country well as give us a chance to talk to rural permits must be obtained months in residents while enjoying our horses.” advance. Camp sites were specifically The women will be staying over- assigned for each night on the trail. So night on both public and private prop- we ignored the weather, saddled our erty in an RV driven by Anne Husted, horses, loaded the panniers, tied every- Getting permission for staying over- thing down with double diamonds, and night has been challenging but the headed up the Lamar River. women found that most Kentuckians The headwaters of the Lamar are in are gracious when they hear about the the Absaroka Mountains, the river runs riding project. generally northwest to Tower Junction Stormy weather. Ginny Grulke will be blogging where it enters the Yellowstone River. about their experiences as they cross The Soda Butte Trail Head where we maintained, they aren’t flat. The trail your pack, not wanting to spend a cold the state at www.crosskyride.com. The started our back country horse pack- follows the river, but is usually 100 feet night in a wet sleeping bag. ride begins September 18, 2014 outside ing is east of Tower Junction just off or more above it. While the drop to the At the junction of Mist Creek and of Greenup, KY. the North Entrance Road (Highway river isn’t sheer, you cautiously watch the Lamar River, you leave the river For more information about the ride 212). Seeing the Lamar for the first where your horse puts her hooves. and climb over Mist Pass. In 1877, the and to donate to the cause, visit www. time, I assumed we were going to ride Bears are a big worry when riding U.S. 7th Calvary pursued the Nez Perce crosskyride.com. a flat river valley all the way to Pelican in Yellowstone, and it’s easy to imag- through this area as they headed for For more information about Ken- Creek at Walking Horse speeds. I soon ine meeting a grizzly on a narrow trail Canada to avoid being forcibly placed tucky Back Country Horsemen, visit discovered that while the trails are well a hundred feet above the river. It’s more on a reservation. Chief Joseph and ap- kybch.com. difficult to picture the maneuver re- proximately 800 of his followers rode quired to retrieve your bear spray from over the pass from Pelican Creek with its holster. The instructions included General Howard’s troops in close pur- with my canister didn’t include how suit. While we saw no direct evidence to discharge an accurate stream from of the historic chase, we did find a lone the back of a panicked mare. At best, rider at our last night’s camp who had I imagined producing an impenetrable, lost her horses. choking fog around Gen and me that When we met Hetty, she had al- might discourage a charging bear. ready ridden 900 miles of the Nez Perce While I didn’t get to test the theory, Trail, starting in Washington State. I did get some sense of it when Gen Hetty was an experienced rider who came face to face with a bull buffalo. had ridden the entire 1,200 mile trail in Fortunately, we were in an open mead- 1994. However, she made a rookie mis- ow and not hanging precariously above take and turned her horses out to graze the river. As expected, Gen immediate- without hobbles. Needless to say, Het- ly started to spin and back, causing me ty was extremely glad to see us riding to drop Dottie’s lead rope. The lone bull up. Fortunately for her, she didn’t have soon lost interest and wandered off. to wait another day to be rescued while As serious a threat as bears and we rode out to the trailhead to report buffalo are the storms that always seem her predicament. Somehow, she got an to catch you in the open. At these north- SOS text message out to the Park Ser- ern latitudes, rain usually turns to hail, vice and Ranger Bill Frost was sent to which pelts you mercilessly. More retrieve her and her equipment. frightening than hail and rain are the While our adventure didn’t include periodic afternoon thunderstorms. Ev- grizzly bears or wolves, the river cross- ery horseman’s fear is being caught in ings, a rogue bull buffalo, some inclem- the open with lightning cracking around ent weather, and a lost rider provided all you. Fortunately for us, our horses knew the adventure we needed. The incred- exactly what to do. They turned their ible sense of solitude and magnificent butts into the wind, and patiently wait- panoramas made up for not hearing a ed for the storm to pass. While waiting wolf howl at night while we camped in you think about how tight you covered the valley. Maybe next year.

Back Country Horsemen of America www.backcountryhorse.com 7 40th Anniversary The Catch Pen BCH AR – Great Buffalo River Ride and Clean Up Sixteen seasoned riders and mem- were sporting some very white knuck- bers of Arkansas’ Buffalo River BCH les, “ Deisch said with a chuckle. (BRBCH) participated in a Great River Teamwork was key to the success Ride and Clean Up. We started at near of the Great River ride. The partnership the headwaters of the majestic Buf- and trust between each horse and its falo River (Ponca) and ended at where rider, and the camaraderie the riders had the Buffalo flows into the magnificent with each other, served to keep them White River (Hathaway). During the safe, and to make every aspect of their overland trip, the little band rode an ride enjoyable and running smoothly. average of thirteen miles per day and Along the lower Buffalo, Deisch de- made a record 51 river crossings. Most pended upon several old friends who of the seven men and nine women rode lived in the vicinity to ride out and guide various legs of the trip – only three of them. “Thank goodness I could rely on the hardiest riders and horses made the them. I would never have found those entire 131-mile journey. trails by myself,” Deisch insisted. Oth- BRBCH board member Nancy er areas simply had no trails. In those Deisch was one of the two women who instances, traces of old railroad beds as Only rainy day but still picked up our quota of several bags of garbage along made the entire trip with her trusty well as remnants of historic Indian and the trail--Arlus Trice, Jacque, Evelyn, Nadean Houghton, Lloyd Penka, Ted Missouri Fox Trotter gelding Rambler. covered wagon trails provided clues. Deisch spent many hours from Febru- Deisch said, “That’s what the scouting a special use permit allowing them to ary to October in 2013 at her kitchen was all about really - trying to connect camp in places that do not normally al- table, sipping cups of coffee, while tap- all of those unknowns.” low horses. “The trip absolutely could ping away on her laptop as she planned Deisch brought a GPS along in or- not have happened without his help and the historic ride. The planning was a der to have a map of the entire river, but attention,” she said. The Great River labor of love because this ride was in there was never a time when she had Ride and Clean Up was truly a once- celebration of the BCHA’s 40th anni- to use it to guide them. She had ridden in-a-lifetime event, made even more versary and BRBCH’s brand new status Rambler on all of her scouting rides, so memorable by the glorious beauty of as an official chapter of the national as- when they came upon a couple of plac- the Ozark Mountains draped in their sociation. But her job didn’t end there. es where she wasn’t quite sure which finest gold, orange, and crimson splen- Deisch made numerous scouting way to go, she simply gave him his dor. And all of the riders chorused that trips. “I counted my scouting trips – 35 head and he led them down the correct getting to see the entire Buffalo River in all,” she said. “Six were by car, and path. “He never paused and he kept us from the back of a horse was an experi- 29 were on horseback.” Other BRBCH on the right trail every time. Rambler ence they would never forget. members accompanied her, helping her made me look good,” she said proudly. Submitted by Lona Raymond Lloyd and Heidi Penda who enter- locate the designated trails and scouting Along the trail, the riders leaned tained at night on guitar and dulci- them for safety. “We had to see if there down sideways in their saddles and mer. Heidi is actually singing a song were trees that needed to be dragged used “extension grabbers” to pick up that she wrote about the ride. or cut out, or if bluffs were too narrow pieces of litter, which they deposited and needed to be shored up,” Deisch in trash bags held open for them by explained. their fellow riders. Each day as the sun On one scouting trip, Deisch and started its slow downhill slide, they ar- her friend Jacque Alexander (the other rived at the night’s campground where woman who made the entire journey) they unloaded their bulging trash bags, encountered a section of trail that proved unsaddled, fed, and watered their to be especially onerous. While going horses, hitched them to a highline, up a steep incline, the women came to and made camp for the night. As dark- a large tree lying across the trail. They ness descended each night, there were dismounted and spent a couple of hours delicious pot-luck suppers, crackling forging a detour around the tree. When campfires for warming cold feet, and they finished they felt it was passable, even live music provided by Lloyd and but they realized it would still represent Heidi Penka, who brought along their a challenge. When the BRBCH riders guitar and dulcimer. started up that trail, Deisch warned Deisch noted that the BRBCH are them it was the roughest place on the grateful to Kevin Cheri, the Buffalo Na- whole trip. “In the end, the horses all tional River Park superintendent who Ted, Nancy, and Jacque where the Buffalo River empties into the White made it to the top but some of the riders facilitated their camp plans by issuing River--end of the long ride!

The Catch Pen Do you know these savvy TX BCHers? Ted Griffith, a BCHA member, wrote: Earlier this year my wife Heather and I volunteered for three months at Big Bend National Park in southern Texas. One day we were hiking on the Chimney’s Trail within the park when these riders and their mounts met us. We asked if they were members of the BCHA and they told us they were. They rode on before we got any further information from them. These horses and mules were very desert trail savvy and carefully staying on the trail. This is essential in the desert of Big Bend because there is cactus everywhere, including one variety known as horse crippler.

8 www.backcountryhorse.com Back Country Horsemen of America The Catch Pen Horses and honeybees – KS BCH saves the hive In February 2014, Diana Skinner Ranch in Baldwin City to come and in- in the barrel for trans- and Susan Lechtenberg discovered a vestigate. Richard came even though he port. We waited about 30 honeybee hive just off the trail while did not believe they were honeybees. minutes for the bees to our group was hanging painted skulls on Susan met Richard and then hiked return. Susan called Di- Spirit Trail. Spirit Trail is on the South a mile into the trails on foot. Richard’s ana to bring in a wheel- Shore horse trails at Clinton Lake, just gear consisted of a bee suit, bee hat barrow. The three of us west of Lawrence, KS. Diana and Su- with veil, shovel, burlap sack, twine, finally got the barrel full san are members of Ride Kansas and and a smoker. The kindling for the of honey and bees loaded charter members of the newly formed smoker was hand packed dryer lint, into the wheelbarrow and Kansas chapter of BCHA. What was dried pine needles, pecan shells and a pushed out of the trails unusual about this hive was that it was couple of sticks. After we hauled this and loaded into Richard’s in a 30-gallon metal drum that was all in, Richard sat down and observed truck. mostly buried in the ground. Because the bees. Diana and I had cut some of Richard reports that the bees were slightly swarming us, we the pine trees down earlier to clear a the bees are doing fine. decided that we would need to remove path, but Richard needed a little more He has tried to relocate the hive so it wouldn’t cause problems cut to get the metal barrel out. Rich- them to a hive, but most to the horses riding by later in the year. ard shoveled all around the barrel with of them continue to use Susan called around to try and find Susan watching around five feet away. the barrel. Anyone who someone to take the bees. She was re- Richard and Susan were very surprised has encountered bees on peatedly told that they couldn’t possi- at how calm the bees were during this the trails knows that they bly be honeybees as they do not nest in whole process as it was a fairly warm, can be a major problem the ground. We had a few pictures of spring day with the temperature in the for both horse and rider. them and finally convinced someone to 50’s. Richard finally took off his bee We are thankful that we come out and take a look. Sure enough, hat with veil because he was getting were able to success- the expert said they were honeybees. warm and the bees were not bothering fully relocate these bees To avoid getting stung, the expert told him or aggravated. and continue to make the us the bees could be removed when the When we finally got to the bottom trails safe. weather was less than 30 degrees and of the barrel and pulled it out of the Submitted by Diana the bees would be dormant. We never hole, we discovered it was too heavy Skinner heard back from her so Susan found to carry out. Richard then fired up the Richard Bean from Blossom Trail Bee smoker to try and keep all of the bees

BCH CA Mother Lode Unit & US Forest Service Partnership A November 2013 storm with high winds in excess of 140 mph in the Sierra Mountains caused many popular camp- grounds and trails to be closed due to the many toppled trees blocking the public access roads and trail systems. On the last weekend of June 2014, Mother Lode Unit (MLU) volunteer saw- yers (and one helper) trained by the US For- est Service performed trail maintenance on a popular trail in the El Dorado National Forest. Heading back to camp along Bassi Creek. Our most experienced crewmember commented that this was first team unpacked and cut the first ride on cleared trail the worst damage he’s seen in 18 years obstacle. Then, while the first team and, after crossing Bas- of trail maintenance. cleared the area of debris and repacked si Creek, the higher el- The Tells Creek campground and the gear, the second team proceeded evation did not present 6-mile access road showed recent ef- through or around the first team to the as many downed trees. forts by other crews to reopen the area second obstacle, unpacked and cut that By 2 pm the group had Your horse is speaking ... to the public. The mission this weekend one. A team of three or four people is cleared the remaining are you listening? was to clear some of the surrounding the optimum size because usually there 20 or so trees from the trails. First on the list was the 2-mile isn’t room for more to approach and Two Peaks Trail and section from the Tells Creek equestrian safely work an obstacle. Once we en- met up with another Tune ups based on campground to the Bassi Creek cross- countered a “nest” of tangled logs and work party of four ap- your Horse’s Behavioral Needs ing on the Two Peaks Trail. After the the two teams took turns cutting, after proaching from the oth- prescribed safety briefing, four men there was much discussion among all er end of the trail. The Clinics & Consulting, and three women started off Saturday the sawyers about which of the logs other party had also 55 years of Behavioral Diagnostics morning on seven mounts and leading should be removed first. cleared trails around four pack animals hauling an assort- At the end of the day, it took six Barret Lake and Pearl & Training ment of chain saws, axes, shovels, and hours to clear about 3-dozen trees from Lake. other useful implements. The MLU two miles of trail. After watering the Most of the MLU unit recently purchased two new chain- stock at the Bassi Creek crossing, the crew headed home Sun- Kinsey Horsemanship saws. Another extremely useful piece return trip took only 45 minutes on the day evening, but a few of equipment is the Peavey pry bar. It’s now open track. Since the base camp at stayed an extra night to 126 Docheno Road an odd concoction that looks like a five- Tells Creek boasts a 6100 foot eleva- enjoy the fruits of their Belton, South Carolina 29627 foot pry bar with a hinged fish hook on tion and the trail climbs from there, six labor. the side near the end which enables a hours of physical labor at the mile-high Submitted by Lucy single person to roll large log segments altitude assured that everyone slept like Badenhoop (864) 933-6713 (EST) off the trail without back strain. a log Saturday night. [email protected] Using the leapfrog technique, the The next morning the group headed group separated into two teams. The out again. They enjoyed the 45-minute Back Country Horsemen of America www.backcountryhorse.com 9 Winter Sponsorship Deadline: December 5, 2014 The Catch Pen The Catch Pen BCHA Newsletter Show-Me MO BCH Partners With PepsiCo Media Kit SMMBCH works with five differ- Our BCHA newsletter is read by passionate ent federal and state public land man- trail riders, saddle and pack stock owners, agement agencies. Missouri’s trails avid back country packers and others who vary in length from the short day ride have an investment in saddle and pack to cross-country rides of much greater stock and public land management. We length. Other trail users and hunters serve over 14,300 members nationwide share the trails. Unlike the wide-open who belong to 180 active chapters/units and spaces of the western states where you affiliates in 27 states. may not see another human for days, on Visit www.backcountryhorse.com for more Missouri trails your chances of meeting information on BCHA. other users is common. With more trail users comes more trash and unwanted Display Sponsorship Rates evidence of human negligence. Car- Newsletter Ad Size Single Issue rying a trash bag in the saddlebag is a One column wide (W x H) common practice for SMMBCH mem- 2.5 inches x 2.5 inches ...... $55 bers. 2.5 inches x 5 inches ...... $95 Show-Me MO BCH (SMMBCH) 2.5 inches x 10 inches ...... $135 found a great partner in PepsiCo with an environmental project. PepsiCo is Two columns wide (W x H) known for its dedication to protect- clear of trash left by negligent humans Leave No Trace display tent. Without 5 inches x 2.5 inches ...... $95 ing the environment and promoting and weather-related debris. generous funding from PepsiCo and a 5 inches x 5 inches ...... $135 good land stewardship. Members of SMMBCH distributed the mesh grant from the BCHA Education Foun- 5 inches x 10 inches ...... $235 SMMBCH Tri-Lakes Chapter ap- bags to its chapters across the state to dation, the project would not have been Half page (W x H) proached the Pepsi plant in Springfield be used in trail maintenance. The bags possible. A special thank you to Larry 5.25 inches x 15 inches (vertical) ...... $365 to help fund the purchase of mesh bags are proving not only to be very useful Dishman, Tri-Lakes Chapter mem- 10.5 inches x 7.5 inches (horizontal) .... $365 that are easily carried on horseback. Af- and practical but also good for spread- ber and Lead Mechanic for Pepsi in ter a year of cooperative dialogue and ing the message of Back Country val- Springfield. Larry was the first link in Full page (W x H) planning, PepsiCo and SMMBCH pur- ues and purposes. The bags will also the partnership opportunity with Pepsi- 10.5 inches x 15 inches ...... $720 chased 5,000 reusable mesh bags print- be made available at trailheads, saddle Co. We are grateful for PepsiCo’s sup- ed with the Pepsi and SMMBCH logos, clubs, and to any interested equestrian port and look forward to other projects Deborah’s specials along with trail ethics statements. The individual or group. The bags were giv- with them. 2.5 x 15 full right column ...... $175 project will help keep Missouri trails en out at the Missouri State Fair at our Submitted by Marsha Copeland 10.5 x 3.5 full width, across bottom of page ...... $175 20% bonus for sponsorships in four is- Escalante Chapter of BCHU greets Tour of Utah 2014 sues (one year). All prices are for black and Two members of the Escalante waving riders, but white ads. Ask about full color prices. Chapter of Back Country Horsemen the many honking of Utah rode their horses and carried horns and waving BCHA reserves the right to refuse advertising American flags to greet and salute hands from the space to any person or company. All ads must be the awesome Tour of Utah 2014 bike support vehicles paid for before inserting in the newsletter. The 4- racers who went through our area on lead one to believe issue package must be paid at time of first inser- Tuesday, August 5. Carol Kracht on her the horsewomen’s tion. gelding, Tux, and Gwendolyn Zeta on enthusiasm is ap- Mechanical Requirements: her mare, Lucy, wore their Bike Tour preciated. And, Artwork is accepted in these formats: Adobe tee shirts and loped alongside the pelo- of course, it’s just Acrobat PDF, Photoshop JPG saved for PC ton when they crossed Big Flat just east great fun. format. Images must be at a resolution of 300 of town. It would be hard to say what Submitted by pixels per inch at the actual size used in the the bike riders think of horses and flag- Gwendolyn Zeta artwork. All ads will be black and white unless special arrangements are made. Note: For questions or graphic design and Leaving the Horses At Home – Uinta Basin Chapter BCH UT layout of your ad, please contact Deborah Sometimes building a relationship paid off and the NPS contact said he Schatz at (406) 892-0200 or with your public land managers means needed help on a hiking trail. Chapter [email protected]. pitching in, even if you have to leave members decided to come help on the Annual subscriptions for non-members your horses at home. Members of the trail even though it was hiking only are available by sending your name, Uinta Basin Chapter of Utah decided trail. Chapter Public Lands Coordina- address and $45 to: that it was the right thing to do in order tor Gordon Hirschi noted that this was BCHA to meet and start working with their lo- the first time we met our contact face to PO Box 1367 cal Dinosaur National Monument man- face and “we wanted to show that we Graham WA 98338-1367 agers. The National Park Service man- were willing to pitch in and work, even or www.backcountryhorse.com ages National Monuments and often if it wasn’t within our mission. After their missions do not include preserv- seeing the rule change that Bryce Can- Subscription or Address Corrections to: ing or focusing on horse use. yon National Park had proposed to re- Peg Greiwe, Executive Secretary BCHA I contacted the Monument six quire private stock riders to hire a com- Phone: (888) 893-5161 months prior to set up a meeting to dis- mercial guide when riding in the Park, Fax: 360-832-1564 cuss any projects that we might assist we wanted to make sure that we had E-mail: [email protected] on. A particular ride that we liked to do a working relationship with our local Managing Editor was on the Dinosaur National Monu- Monument managers, even if it meant Sherry Jennings ment. I was told to call back after the leaving our horses at home.” PO Box 305 holidays, then to call back after their In honor of National Trails Day East Olympia WA 98540-0305 new rules (Superintendent’s Compen- on June 7th, BCH members met with E-mail: [email protected] dium) was published. The employee hikers, youth volunteers, and NPS em- NPS employee on the trail prior to Design, Layout and Sponsorship Director I spoke to said he was familiar with ployees to build rock cairns and a rock starting work. Deborah Schatz BCHA, with what we do, and that a stair-step on the hiking trail. The Sound 4720 Trumble Creek Road face-to-face meeting wasn’t necessary. of Silence Trail is just past the Visitors new Monument Manager to discuss Columbia Falls MT 59912 He said I should just continue calling. Center and gets a lot of use from Park what we wanted to do on it. Our NPS (406) 892-0200 When I wanted to discuss the trail ride visitors – over 274,000 visited the Di- contact said to be sure to mention that E-mail: [email protected] that we did on the Monument, I was told nosaur National Monument in 2013. I we helped on this trail project when we to basically keep a low profile about it hadn’t ever built rock stairs before and met with the Manager. So now, hope- Printing and that riding it should be fine as long that was fun. After the workday was fully, the door is open and that relation- Eagle Web Press as we kept it quiet about it. done, we briefly discussed our horse- ship has been started. 4901 Indian School Rd. NE My persistent phone calls finally riding trail, and got an invite to call the Submitted by Jody Holmes Salem OR 97305 10 www.backcountryhorse.com Back Country Horsemen of America The Catch Pen TVBCH of Nampa, ID Working with the Salmon- Challis National Forest on Norton Lookout Restoration Project Treasure Valley Back Country about a 7-hour trip. From the trailhead, Horsemen (TVBCH), located in the the members rode and packed 14 miles west end of the Boise Valley, entered the next day down Camas Creek to into a work agreement with the Salmon- where it flows into the Middle Fork Challis National Forest on the Norton of the Salmon River. The next day the Lookout located in the Frank Church group rode approximately 11 miles up- River of No Return Wilderness. The stream on the Middle Fork to the Sim- project was carried out under the super- plot Ranch & airstrip. A base camp was vision of Archaeologist John Rose with set up close to the airstrip where the the Challis office of the Salmon-Challis bundles of shingles were delivered by National Forest. Rose met the TVBCH plane. At this point, it was learned that group on the trail to the lookout. The the trail at White Creek had not been purpose of the project was to begin cleared, which added another facet to restoration work on the fire lookout to the project. The trail from the airstrip is maintain its historical value and for the approximately 11 more miles to Norton use and enjoyment of the structure by Lookout. Most of the TVBCH group the U.S. Forest Service and the public. spent from July 21 - 24 clearing the trail out, the project is considered a success. support and to the owner and outfitter The first phase was to pack in the wood and packing the shingles to the lookout. There were no serious injuries to any of the Middle Fork Outfitters at the shingles to be stored inside for re-roof- On July 25, the group started the two- workers or to any of the riding or pack Simplot Ranch who was very helpful ing at a future date. Also, in the future day pack out back to the trailhead, then stock. The trail down Camas Creek to the TVBCH group. there is other restoration work planned back home on July 27th. is quite scenic as is the trail along the Submitted by President Terry Bur- by the Forest Service, such as general Although there were a few chal- Middle Fork. There is a nice hot spring gess, TVBCH repairs, replacing window shutters, lenges met by the TVBCH members, near the Simplot Ranch to be enjoyed painting the exterior, etc. such as re-adjusting packs, nearly los- by all who venture into this country. The project began on July 18 with ing a pack animal off the trail the first Though is it a fairly long pack in and seven TVBCH members driving from day in, a rock slide nearly hitting a rid- out, it was an enjoyable and memorable the Boise Valley to Challis, ID and from er and his pack animals, losing a pack trip for all. Thank you to USFS Archae- there to the trailhead at Meyer’s Cove, horse and mule off the trail on the way ologist John Rose for his guidance and

Collaborative project with Bitterroot Ski Club a success Ten members of Bitter Root BCH within the Chief Joseph Cross-Coun- worked with twelve Bitterroot Cross- try Ski Area. This is also a nice riding Country Ski Club members to clear area with the Continental Divide Trail a .75-mile stretch of old logging road and Nez Perce (Nee Me Poo) Historical located near Gibbons Pass on Saturday Trail located nearby. August 16. The Gibbons Pass area is After the work was done, volunteers recovering from the fires of 2000 and gathered for a potluck meal featuring plenty of dead trees had fallen. Our barbecued ribs cooked and transported sawyers, Brad Pollman, Joe Rogish and to the site by members Judy and Rich Dave Welch, chain sawed over 1,000 Morrisey (chefs extraordinaire), as- trees in their stretch of the road, with sisted by their guests who pitched in to sawyers from the ski club working just help. Many thanks go to our sawyers, as hard from the other end. Other BCH cooks and trail clearers Lynn Kiess, members followed Brad, Joe and Dave, Bonnie Morgan, Karen Philips (project pulling cut log sections and small trees co-chair with ski club president Mike off the trail and hand sawing other Hoyt), Nancy Pollman, and Pam Torg- trees. erson. This was a successful collabora- This cleared section connects with tion with the ski club and we had fun Overlook Trail and Gibbons Pass Road too. Awesome work by a great crew! to create a 12.75-mile loop, located

Above: Dave Welch and Joe Ro- gish attack a bird’s nest of downed trees. Below: The tired but happy crew.

Back Country Horsemen of America www.backcountryhorse.com 11 The Catch Pen Two Central KY BCHers Open Blocked National Recreational Trail On a rainy August weekend two Russell and Cornett rode the members of Central KyBCH (CKy- blocked section of the trail in May of BCH), Bobby Russell and Roy Cornett, 2013. They figured that there could responded to a call for help from the not be too much to clear it up. What Sheltowee Trace Association. Russell they discovered surprised them. There and Cornett headed to southern Ken- were many more trees across the trail tucky to clear a large tree that was pre- than expected. They lost count, but venting even hikers from using the trail they cleared about 15 trees off the trail in that part of the state. The Sheltow- that were of decent size (8” diameter or ee Trace is a linear trail running from larger). In addition, they cleared small- northern Kentucky to its southern bor- er obstacles that only required a small der with Tennessee, through the Daniel handsaw. Their work area spread out Boone National Forest. It is generally over 7 miles, and their workday lasted open to hikers, horses, and mountain 8-9 hours, all done in the summer rain bikes. There are sections of it that are and mist of the Kentucky Mountains. not open to horses because it’s simply Submitted by Roy Cornett, CKy- impassable to horses or there are some BCH Member and BCHA Executive environmentally sensitive areas that are Committee; and Bobby Russell, CKy- protected. BCH Director and KyBCH Board.

Ride Kansas Clinton Kentucky BCH Chainsaw Certification Hoosier BCH IN Lake Clean Up Growing In Kentucky The Hoosier BCH works on trails Trail maintenance is an ongoing one day a month. On May 3, 2014 we job. Here in eastern Kansas it is no In the last 12 months, Kentucky Several BCH chapter members from worked with the USFS in the Charles different. The heavily wooded eques- BCH (KyBCH) added three new chap- KyBCH participated in a chainsaw cer- Deam Wilderness in southern Indiana. trian trails on the South Shore Trails at ters, doubling the number of chapters tification and recertification class with The work was repair of a muddy, wa- Clinton Lake had been in great shape in the Commonwealth. New chapters the U.S. Forest Service on August 27 ter-damaged, multi-use trail near the until several spring and early summer are: and 28. A big thanks goes out to Char- Grubb Ridge trailhead. The first order wind storms. Normally, Ride Kansas • Mammoth Cave BCH work- lie Rowe with Daniel Boone National of business was to muck out the soggy BCH members do the majority of work ing with the Mammoth Cave National Forest for teaching the class that was debris and mud in the trail tread. Then on our trails during the winter because Park held at the Caudill Farm. Participants the damaged area was back filled with high temperatures, insects, poison ivy, • Land Between the Lakes BCH were Roy Cornett, Mike Bossert, Greg limestone. Finally, two water bars were and poisonous snakes make trail work working with LBL National Recre- Jones, Mike Chadwell, Myers Caudill, constructed to divert water from the dangerous during the summer. How- ational Area (USFS) and Kathy Caudill. Throughout Ken- trail uphill from the newly repaired ever, winds in excess of 70 mph during • Mountain Lake BCH work- tucky, there are now six certified chain- trail. several storms downed numerous huge ing the northern section of the Daniel saw BCH members. The work crew consisted of eight trees that blocked trails in dozens of Boone National Forest and with Ken- This fall, there will be a second BCHers: Bob and Ann Graves from locations. So a dedicated group headed tucky State Parks horse trails in eastern chainsaw class at Mammoth Cave Na- Nashville, Susan Miller from Indianap- out with chainsaws during a week of Kentucky tional Park to train a few members from olis, Gary Mundy from Bedford, Yvette below average temperatures this sum- These chapters join the other three the new Mammoth Cave BCH as well. Rollins from Springville, Carla Riggins mer to get all the down trees cleared off (Central Kentucky BCH, Fort Harrod The Mammoth Cave chapter is search- from Bloomington, Zack Smith from the trails. Thanks to the large number BCH and Eagle Creek BCH) to enable ing for grants to purchase Personal Pro- Indianapolis, and Maggie Whitlow that went out we were able to rotate the KyBCH to cover the state from east to tection Equipment needed by the newly from Paragon. We loaded and dumped workers and get all the work done safe- west. certified sawyers. 52 mule loads of stone – over 10,000 ly and no one got overheated. “We are glad to welcome these new pounds. Not only did the Wilderness Clinton Lake is a Corps of Engi- chapters, and they have all jumped in area require the use of mules but also neer lake and they finally got our horse with great enthusiasm and knowledge. the use of the crosscut saw to cut the camp on their national reservation sys- They are already working with the water bar material. tem in July. Now that you can reserve land managers, developing solutions Submitted by Bob Graves camping sites, ridership has really tak- for strong long-term relationships. The en off with groups coming in from out trails in Kentucky will be protected and cared for by these dedicated horsemen The Hoosier BCH work crew consisted of eight BCHers: Bob and Ann of state. Our dedicated volunteers from Graves from Nashville, Susan Miller from Indianapolis, Gary Mundy from Ride Kansas are all charter members and women,” said Ginny Grulke, Chair of KyBCH. Bedford, Yvette Rollins from Springville, Carla Riggins from Bloomington, of our new Kansas BCHA. We have Zack Smith from Indianapolis, and Maggie Whitlow from Paragon. been working for the past three years KyBCH was to improve the campground at Rock- formed in 2007 with haven Horse Park. We put on a benefit a single chapter – ride the first full weekend in October Central Kentucky – every year. With the money raised, we and was led by Edith have built over 30 steel pipe pens at the Conyers for six camping sites to go with the 18 electri- years. The fruits of cal sites, 32 primitive sites, 14 centrally her efforts are pay- located pens, shower house, and shelter ing off seven years house that now exist in our park. With later with growth not our 70 miles of trails, this makes Clinton only in numbers but Lake one of the best trail riding areas in also in reputation. Kansas. It is also a great layover stop for horse people traveling across the country with their horses. Clinton Lake is located just 15 miles from I-70 and seven miles from Lawrence, KS. You can make reservations for Rockhaven Park by going to www.recreation.gov and choosing Clinton Lake. Submitted by Diana Skinner

12 www.backcountryhorse.com Back Country Horsemen of America Letters to BCHA Dan Applebaker’s letter represents views that several BCHers in Oregon sent in. Phil Hufstader provided photographs to illustrate the problem. I GUESS I’M A THROWBACK My chapter, the High Desert Trail something needs to be done now. It Riders, is involved in education efforts needs to be done on the ground (at the for stock users and others, govern- Ranger District level) or we will not ment meetings, and volunteer projects have many trails left to get where we to keep trails open from the get-go. want to go. Isn’t that a basic premise In 1996, our club joined several oth- for which BCH stands, to ensure that er similar minded organizations and public lands remain open to recre- started the Back Country Horsemen ational stock use and to keep America’s of Oregon (BCHO). The reasons for trails open for all? When we formed the that decision were simple enough. We BCHO and became a state organization agreed with the mission statement of in BCHA 18 years ago, we thought so the BCHA. We felt we could provide then and we think so now. and receive more direction, informa- The BCHO is aware of examples of tion, and strength by combining our power saw use in wilderness to provide expect our wilderness trails, with a his- directors (NBD) at this year’s national efforts with a larger national organiza- for existing access and not for “emer- tory of equestrian use, to be open and meeting. Our state’s resolution was not tion. We hoped it would make us more gency” situations. So we passed a reso- available to provide for that experience allowed to be brought before the NBD. efficient in meeting our mission state- lution for limited and managed power on a timely basis each summer as they The resolution is not dead, however. ment and keeping our trails open. Over saw use in wilderness. The District once were. There is still a lot work being done to those years, and at the 10 BCHA annual Ranger would make the determination The BCHO thought the idea of lim- promote this idea to help keep our trails meetings I have attended, I have been that one-time use of the power saw as ited and managed power saw use on open and accessible. proud to say that has been the case. We the minimum tool necessary to provide wilderness trails, which would likely have been successful in at least main- for access and use of a wilderness trail be closed otherwise, had enough merit Dan Applebaker taining our saddle and pack stock use that would otherwise be closed due to to present as a resolution to be consid- on most trails. lack of maintenance. We felt that could ered by the BCHA national board of That situation is now changing as at least quadruple the miles of trail we face a tremendous new challenge. maintained, or at least logged out. As the recent General Accountabil- If we are to lose a recreation op- ity Office (GAO) report has discov- portunity on an existing trail due to ered, the U. S. Forest Service (USFS) the agencies’ failure to maintain it for has more trails then they are able to public use, we feel it makes sense for maintain. The backlog of unmaintained volunteers to: trails is growing significantly each 1. Get the District Ranger’s per- year. Those of us out on the trails are mission for a one-time use of power aware of that fact. Many of our local saws to open the trail trails are plugged with down logs as a 2. Provide a plan to minimize the result of forest fires and massive insect social impact of the saws and make a and disease mortality. On the west side middle of the week run through the trail of our Cascade Range down logs reach for a day or two and buck the logs out 4-5’ in diameter. The USFS simply is of the trail not funded to adequately clear these 3. After the trail is cleared it could trails with cross cut saws along with ac- be returned to annual primitive tool complishing necessary erosion control, maintenance brush encroachment, or reconstruc- Bingo! That trail is off the backlog tion. The obvious result is that many list of unmaintained trails. The com- trails are not available for stock use bined efforts of all the BCH organiza- and many will be closed because of the tions could then change our relatively lack of the responsible agencies’ abil- small percentage of total miles of gov- ity to provide legally mandated access ernment trails maintained to a more and enjoyment of the public. This may significant and higher number. In 2012 not be the case where you ride, but the BCH did $12.5 million worth of vol- GAO reports states, “Only one-quarter unteer trail work. That is a meaning- of the agency’s 158,000 miles of trails ful and impressive number, especially meets agency standards for mainte- when we add the work of other volun- nance and nearly two-thirds receive no teers. We must keep in mind however, maintenance at all,” so it is happening according to the GAO report, that the somewhere. Forest Service now has a backlog in The entire BCH organization is trail maintenance of over $500 million working to resolve this deficiency. Lo- and it is growing at $200 million annu- cal volunteer efforts are increasing. ally. In our minds, this is an emergency. Our state and national organizations We need to pull some plugs and use are working in the public arena and more creative thinking to do all we can networking with other organizations to catch back up, or we will write off Back Country Store interested in backcountry and wilder- a lot of trails that could have remained ness use to increase funding and im- open. The Back Country Store has prove the productivity of volunteers in Maybe I am a throwback, an arti- maintaining trails. The BCHO supports fact, but still alive and well in the wil- apparel, CDs, trailer decals, and applauds that effort as absolute- derness. I’m just a guy with a wife, a bumper stickers, and more. ly necessary. We must keep in mind, couple dogs, and a string of mules that however, that only a quarter of USFS spends most of the summer and fall trail maintenance comes from volun- leading this outfit over government teers, state funding, and other federal trails. A few others and myself are a and non-federal sources. We question whole lot like Jim Bridger, Osborne whether the good work done to date by Russell, John Colter, and a host of other BCH will reverse the increasing back- men in more recent times that preceded log of unmaintained trails or only slow us on many of these trails. We’re very the rate of the increase? Will trails now likely just as independent and near as unmaintained remain so while more hardheaded as those men were. The Visit us on the trails are being added to the list of those history of using our pack and saddle BCHA web site. unmaintained or closed? We think more stock in the back country runs long and can be done. deep. I admit that I’m proud of that his- www.backcountryhorse.com So this old throwback decides that tory. I’m enough of a throwback that I

Back Country Horsemen of America www.backcountryhorse.com 13 BCHA Officers, BCHA Outreach Campaign Chairs and Staff During BCHA’s successful crowd- But if you don’t, how about a special You might also give people access Chairman funding campaign, Chairman Jim Mc- “Friends of the Back Country” support- to the “members only” pages on your Jim McGarvey 2408 Owens Gin Rd Garvey encouraged state organizations ing membership? Many professional or- website or let them know about all the Calhoun GA 30701 and local chapters to reach out to other ganizations have non-voting members. value available through the BCHA 706-669-1015 equestrian groups and trail users of all Friends and other community members website and social media: chairman@ types. The crowdfunding campaign was who are not stock owners don’t need to • Calls to action or information backcountryhorse.com a great fundraising event, but the out- be voting members to volunteer for, or at http://www.backcountryhorse.com/ Vice Chair reach should not be an event – it should participate in, your fundraising events public-lands/bills/ or http://www.back- Donald Saner be ongoing. Lynn Golemon of Big South or trail work. Some member benefits countryhorse.com/public-lands/park- PO Box 515 Fork Chapter in Tennessee provides a can include: issues/ Wilson WY 83014 great example of how such outreach • Subscription to your newsletter • Invite people to Facebook 307-733-1356 should be an ongoing project for all • Subscription to the national https://www.facebook.com/bcha.org [email protected] BCH organizations. The outreach also newsletter and Twitter https://twitter.com/bcho- Past Chairman raises awareness of how much BCH- • Alerts and notifications about famerica for regular updates and more Mike McGlenn ers are doing to help maintain trail ac- trail use issues information. 1992 Harmony Rd cess while protecting the landscapes and • Discounts on products and ser- Bellingham WA 98226 viewscapes we all enjoy. vices offered by your sponsors or par- Thank you, Lynn, for stimulating 360-739-2619 FAX 360-966-2263 Over the fall and winter, think about ticipating vendors some ideas about involving members [email protected] how those you know can benefit from • Eligibility to participate in BCH who might not otherwise think about some type of membership in your or- task forces on trail issues or trail work joining BCH! Treasurer and Expansion ganization. Even if they don’t own a groups Lynn gives permission to any Freddy Dunn sample horse or a mule, they can support and be • Invitations to socials or other BCHA organization to use her letter 1485 W 5650 North St. George UT 84770 a member of a BCH organization. You special meetings that don’t involve with appropriate changes in a member- 435-862-6181 may already have something in place. needing four-footed transportation ship campaign. [email protected] Acting Executive Director Jim McGarvey Executive Secretary Hi Trail Riders, Peg Greiwe PO Box 1367 Graham WA 98338 Our local chapter of Back Country Horsemen of the Big South Fork is making huge efforts to maintain 888-893-5161 and improve our trails, as well as getting new trails dedicated for horse use. We have created several new Fax: 360-832-1564 trails in the last few years, and we are currently making the crossing of White Oak Creek at the Zenith [email protected] Crossing much safer by the use of cement blocks created entirely by our volunteers. This is with the full Advisor for Public Lands Recreation cooperation of the Big SouthFork Park authorities, and at considerable cost to our organization. We are Randy Rasmussen very aware of your continuous trail efforts as well. 37326 Soap Creek Rd Corvallis OR 97330 My name is Lynn Golemon. My husband, Bill, and I live in White Oak, in Allardt, TN. I am also the 541-602-0713 mobile membership chairman of the Back Country Horsemen Association of the Big South Fork. I know you are [email protected] constantly asked to “join”, to “give”, to “help”, and so I would like to explain why it is so important for all Education trail riders to join Back Country Horsemen through our local chapter: BCH of the Big South Fork. Pete Kriger The US Congress and the US Senate, along with state and local governments are constantly approached 28797 Live Oak Canyon Rd Redlands CA 92373 by lobbying groups such as various Wilderness groups, hiking groups and bicycling groups, and who 909-910-4619 knows how many more. Most of them would like to eliminate horseback riding for any number of reasons. [email protected] Many of you have seen this happening, and it is actually one of the reasons I moved from West Virginia to Education Foundation the Big South Fork area. Mylon Filkins DVM The horse industry has very few lobbyists who are interested in maintaining our trail systems, and we [email protected] have very little money to lobby. I have seen the Wilderness groups and those concerned with endangered Media and Marketing species in action over the years because of my endurance riding. Their intensity and persuasive abilities Robbin Schindele are absolutely amazing. These lobbying groups are much larger than the horse lobbyists, and they have 4600 W. South Slope Road Emmett SD 83617 a great deal of money to spend lobbying. They constantly receive huge donations, as well as extensive [email protected] grants from individuals and corporations, and far too often their plans include the elimination of horses 208-365-1789 from the trails. Public Lands Back Country Horsemen is a national non-profit (501c3) organization with offices in the State of Jim Allen Washington, and www.backcountryhorse.com is the web page. We are a local chapter of this national PO Box 806 organization, and we need the membership rolls of BCH to be large enough to have a national impact in Custer SD 57730 [email protected] Congress and the Senate. This is the only way we will keep our trails open in years to come. The folks 605-673-2173 in Washington need to see that we are out there riding the trails, and that we care. This is the only way to get their attention. Public Lands Oscar Simpson The cost to join BCH is only $20 per year, or $30 per year per couple. This is such a small price to 3320 12th Street NW pay for what we have, especially compared to the cost of everything else we need to maintain our horses. Albuquerque NM 87107 [email protected] All donations are tax deductible. Of course, we would also love to have you participate and enjoy our 505-345-0117 events, and also your help working on trails. However, we realize that sometimes this is not possible. But I simply cannot stress enough how important it is to have your names on the roles as members when we Public Liaison and Advocacy Partners Alan T. Hill are represented in Congress. PO Box 492260 Attached is a membership form. Please join and please pass this information along to any others you Redding CA 96049-2260 think might be interested. And I would also like to invite you to our annual fundraiser at Zenith Camp- 530-221-4354 Fax 530-221-9267 ground this coming weekend. We will have excellent meals, a raffle, a silent auction, and, of course, a trail [email protected] ride including a scavenger hunt. Please come.

Volunteer Hours Chair Larry Zauberis And I would like to thank you personally for taking the time to read this lengthy e-mail. And please 11374 Highway 550 forgive me if you get duplicate copies, I am trying to reach everyone. Durango CO 81303 970-759-5629 [email protected] Sincerely,

Web Master Marty Duvall and Robbin Schindele Lynn [email protected]

14 www.backcountryhorse.com Back Country Horsemen of America From the BIG SOUTH FORK Secretary’s Desk BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN Membership Application tors to these calls.On the calls, Jim and Name ______Date:______Randy update the participants about the work BCHA is doing and public Address: ______lands recreation issues. The calls are City: ______State:______Zip:______just over an hour each. Participants can ask questions and bring up problems in Phone: ______Email:______their states. (____) $20 Individual - 1 Year (____) $30 Family - 1 Year I am impressed with all the articles Names of Family: ______about BCHA’s working with kids - good job! ______It has been really quiet in the BCHA Information about yourself that may be of benefit to the club (such as chain- office this summer. All our members must be out on work parties, pack trips, saw certified, GPS proficient, grant writing, fund raising, advertising, etc.) By Peg Greiwe, Executive Secretary trail rides and getting ready for the up- ______Wow! Check out all the activity re- coming hunting seasons. My husband (____) Check if you are willing to participate in a work crew for trail construc- ported by Public Lands Recreation Ad- and I took our camper (no dogs and no tion/maintenance. visor Randy Rasmussen and Chairman/ horses) around the Olympic Peninsula In consideration of my membership, I agree not to hold Big South Fork Back Acting Executive Director Jim McGar- for a week. The Olympic National Park Country Horsemen (BSFBCH) or its members or organizers liable for any vey! You have a lot to be proud of and and National Forest are beautiful. The injurysample or damage, however caused, which may result from participation in some follow up to do. Be sure to call trees along the coast have such inter- any event sponsored by BSFBCH. your Congressman and request that he/ esting shapes. The Olympic National Signature: ______Date:______she sign on to HR 4886, the National Park has no roads through the heart of Forest System Trails Stewardship Act. the park. Highway 101 goes around Make checks payable to: In your state, chapter, and unit the outside with several forest roads Big South Fork Back Country Horsemen newsletters, it is exciting to read about that go into various areas of the Park 929 Cole Place Road all the work done this summer for the and Forest for camping and to lakes Allardt, TN 38504 public land agencies. Our BCHA fam- and the rain forest. We missed out on 931-879-5252 ily is an amazing group of devoted vol- Hurricane Ridge (the jewel of Olym- unteers. pic National Park) since it was socked The BCHA Executive Committee in with clouds. We stopped at outdoor (Jim McGarvey, Mike McGlenn, Don eatery Hama Hama for fresh oysters on Saner, Freddy Dunn, Alan Hill, Roy the half shell and a clam chowder to die Cornett, Chuck Miller, Darrell Wallace, for. Jim and Cindy McGarvey stopped Ken Ausk and Randy Rasmussen) has a here, too, while they were in the Pacific conference call on the third Tuesday of Northwest earlier this summer. We took each month. Conference call minutes the Coho Black Ball ferry across to Vic- are distributed to the National Direc- toria BC to do a little sightseeing and tors for distribution to state leaders and visit Butchart Gardens. We couldn’t see members. However, there is another everything and will go back. way that BCHA keeps states in the We are working on getting t-shirts loop. On the third Tuesday and Thurs- and bandannas with the new BCHA day evenings each month, Chairman brand here in the BCHA office for pur- Jim McGarvey and Randy Rasmussen chase. hold open conference calls with the I hope that your summer has been presidents, chief elected officers, or great and you’re ready for a wonderful appointed representatives from the 27 autumn coming up! BCHA states. In an effort to improve BCHA communication with the states, Your friend, Wilderness Act 50th Anniversary Celebration in Washington DC. Randy as of September 23rd, the Executive Rasmussen, BCHA Advisor, and Mack and Connie Long, MT. Committee approved adding the BCHA Peg committee chairs and the national direc- Trailer Maintenance By Robert Eversole, Chief Trail Boss, Trailmeister It’s hard to believe that fall is al- needs to be replaced. Also look for For example if the tire ID number reads properly and do you have a few spare ready here. It seems that it was only cracks in the wood, especially around LMLR5107 we would decipher the last bulbs in the glove box? yesterday that the snow finally cleared the screws. If you have a metal floor, four numbers to learn that the tire was After you’ve identified any issues from the high mountain slopes. So look for corrosion or pitting. manufactured on the 51st week of 2007 that need tended to you can perform the what to do now that a white blanket has While you’re checking the under- making it now over seven years old. repairs yourself or let the pros with the returned to many of the backcountry side of the floor look at the undercar- Tire life varies by manufacture but the knowledge and equipment handle them areas that we enjoy? Some of us will riage. The undercarriage is everything average recommended age for replace- as well as more in depth maintenance take refuge in front country rides and under the floor except for the tires. Sur- ment is between 7 and 10 years. such as greasing bearings or inspecting trail maintenance efforts; others will face rust that doesn’t cause structural Once you’re done under the trailer brake drums. enter arenas to keep both human and weakness isn’t a problem, but should be take a quick look at the coupler. The Take time for these yearly mainte- equine in shape for the coming year. taken care of. Cracks in the welds and coupler attaches the trailer and towing nance checks. You will unquestionably Another thought is to also use this bit joints are a cause for concern in addi- vehicle together. All the force from the increase your of enforced downtime to make sure that tion to loose bolts, and broken springs. trailer is transferred through the coupler safety margin the steel components of our treks are It’s a sad fact but more horse trail- to the ball of the hitch and then to your when you’re tended to. The trailer is a vital compo- er tires fail from dry rot and age than truck. The coupler closure and lock- on the road, nent of any trip; after all very few of us from road miles. Fortunately, dry rot is ing mechanisms must be in working and add years can ride from the barn into a wilderness usually identified by fine cracks in the order and include a pin or clip to lock to the life of area. Even if you’re not mechanically tire and frequently is most noticeable the coupler closed on the ball. While your trailer. inclined it’s easy to inspect and iden- on the sidewall. You’ll want to replace you’re there check the safety chains tify trailer problems long before they tires that are cracking. Also, make sure and the breakaway brake system by become an emergency next spring. tires are inflated to the recommended pulling the pin on the breakaway, then Let’s start with a straightforward pressure. An important consideration is slowly pull the empty trailer with your visual inspection of the trailer and first the age of the tires. As we already men- truck, the trailer wheels should not roll. examine the floor. This is bearing the tioned chances are that we’ll never wear Make sure to check all welds and bolts weight of our precious beasts and it’s out our trailer tires. Instead we need to where the hitch is attached to the tow imperative that it’s sound. Pull out all be concerned with the age of the tires. vehicle. the mats and examine the surface. If the A quick check of your tire’s sidewall Now that you’ve examined the floor is wood, take your knife and try to will give you an identification number. trailer’s structure check the electrical stick the blade in. If the blade goes in The last four digits represent the week system by turning on all the lights. Are easily and the wood crumbles the board and year the tire was manufactured. all the lights and turn signals working

Back Country Horsemen of America www.backcountryhorse.com 15 NextGen BCHA (Youth) WY Mountain Man BCH Builds Corrals, Holds Youth Packing Clinic Kids in the Woods: Celebrating 50 Years of the Wilderness Act By Bill Lyke (with a lot of help from friends) Dexter Smith What fun it was to watch 85 (center) and five to twelve year olds roasting Kim Bright their own hot dogs, splashing in (R.) assist streams, walking on logs, us- children in ty- ing fake bear spray and learn- ing hitches on ing about Wyoming wilderness! a packsaddle. With lots of preparation and planning, engaging these kids The summer months were busy for why you take those precautions. was easy and fun. the Mountain Man BCH (MMBCH) Proper Saddle and Tack Fit/Types of Shoshone Back Country of Sublette County, WY. In June they Packsaddles – Students learned where Horsemen (SBCH) is the Big braved the elements in sleet and snow the saddle and blanket should be placed to build three new corrals at the Scab on the horse, the fit of the saddle, and Horn Basin chapter of the WY Creek Horseman’s Campground in the how much weight should be placed on BCH. Our area of operation is Bridger-Teton Forest. They also devel- a horse in order not to harm it. the Wyoming Absaroka Moun- oped a trail connecting the packing area Bear Safety – The children were tain range and the west slope with trails in the Bridger-Teton Wilder- taught that bear-resistant panniers of the Big Horn Mountains. ness Area. should be used, and if not, why food We enjoy a great relationship Ultra Resources donated used cas- should be hung in trees high enough with the folks at the Shoshone ing pipe to the chapter for use in the that a bear can’t get to it. Instructors National Forest District office. corrals. Three MMBCH members who emphasized camping away from where We commit to clear about 100 are welders cut and assembled the cor- you fix dinner and eat, and remember- miles of trail annually and fre- rals. Several other chapter members as- ing to put all food items into the bear quently clear much more. In sisted with the corrals and worked on panniers and not in your tent. addition to the Forest Service the trail. The Scab Creek Horseman’s Packing the Horse and Hitches we partner with local Recreation Dis- Absoroka wilderness area. Kids were Campground is one of the most popular – Three very experienced packers from tricts, our Community College welding bussed from Cody to the trailhead and trailheads into the Bridger-Teton Wil- MMBCH -- Dexter Smith, Dennis Dai- department, and the BLM to construct assembled into groups of less than 20 derness. The corrals will be a big asset ley and Kim Bright -- demonstrated and maintain equine trail head facilities that departed at staggered intervals. for overnight campers with horses at various hitches for packs. such as corrals and feed bunks on pub- While waiting to leave the trailhead the trailhead. Leave No Trace (LNT) – Good lic land. they participated in knot tying, learn- The new trail will help riders avoid camping etiquette means leaving no Last January, Natural Resource ing the clove hitch, figure of eight and a busy stretch of road. trace of ever having camped in an area. Specialist Shannon Pils and Forester slipknots. There were also lessons on Overall, the project provided ap- LNT includes taking out what you bring Amy Haas of the Wapiti Ranger District tree identification, a scavenger hunt to proximately 35 hours of volunteer in, not making a new fire ring if there is approached SBCH for help with their locate specific scat, birds, spiders and skilled welding time and 70 hours of already one present, not tying horses to idea for a commemoration of the Wil- insects. volunteer unskilled labor. The leftover trees and how to tie them to a highline. derness Act of 1964. What evolved was The 1.8-mile walk to the wilder- pipe will be used to build additional After covering these subjects, the a program designed to introduce pre- ness boundary featured two mock corrals in this area. group split up and the kids were able teen youngsters from Cody and Powell horse campsites. The first campsite The club also sponsored a Horse to get some hands-on experience actu- to the skills and mindset to use the wil- demonstrated poor site location, poor Packing Clinic targeted primarily at ally packing a load and tying a hitch. derness in a safe, sustainable way. In horse management and sanitation is- youth, ages 6 to 16. The clinic covered The youth not only packed a horse but April, we learned of potential funding sues, as well as improper food storage. basics related to horse packing and experienced what they learned about from the Back Country Horsemen Edu- The second campsite demonstrated camping, horse safety, proper saddle horse safety and being around horses. cational Foundation and applied for a correct Leave No Trace practices as and tack fit, preparing loads, types of Fortunately, three of the best mannered $500 grant to help offset expenses. We well as proper bear proofing. The next packsaddles and hitches, bear safety horses were used for the clinic. were awarded a grant from the DEW stop after fording Little Sunlight creek and camp etiquette including Leave No One of the missions of MMBCH is foundation that allowed us to put on a was the picnic area where the kids got Trace. to encourage children to know how to great weenie roast in the back country. to roast their own hot dogs and marsh- Horse Safety – Trainers empha- enjoy a horse in the mountains. This Our source for the kids was the Park mallows over open campfires. After sized how to approach a horse, the di- clinic helped expose the attendees to County Boys and Girls clubs and the lunch, groups proceeded to the wilder- rection to approach from, ensuring that packing horses for backcountry fun. Cody Recreation Department’s Kidz on ness boundary where they helped in the horse knows you are there, how to Submitted by Betty Cundy, Public- the Move program. We scheduled the erecting a new wilderness boundary move around the horse, and the reasons ity Chairman last four days of July for two separate sign. The kids then trouped back to the groups. Each group received one day trailhead for watermelon before depart- Buffalo River BCH AR Kids Weekend Campout of in town training and another day of ing for home. By Nancy Deisch in the woods experience. The Boot and Volunteers set up camps, spoke The Buffalo River BCH had a Bottle Club, a local riding club, hosted about wilderness ethics, provided fun and rewarding July weekend with the in-town training at their clubhouse guidance with the sign construction, kids, grandkids, and friends at Woolem and grounds. Here six exhibits were set plus ran the commissary and camp- horse camp on the Buffalo River. Fri- up, offering demonstration and partici- fires. The event was supported with day was the monthly workday and with pation in different subject areas: about 20 Forest Service personnel, 16 14 workers (5 of whom were kids). We 1. Hug-a-tree. How not to get lost, Shoshone BCH, and one person from were able to find enough to do even or what to do if you are. Wyoming Game & Fish. Planning and though a river level too high for cross- 2. Leave No Trace ethics and implementation on our part amounted ing thwarted our original trail plan. techniques. to 285 man-hours and 34 horse days. The river came down enough to 3. Crosscut saw and traditional Cash expenses were $502.65, all going cross on Saturday morning for our fun tools demo with kids getting to use the to the weenie roast. The camps, poles, ride that included a hike up to the Nars saws. signage and tools, as well as foodstuffs or Narrows. The Nars is a thin rock path Dyllan, Cole, Torye, and Tenelle got 4. Bear encounters and bear spray were packed in earlier by SBCH. that overlooks both the Richland Creek off their horses long enough to climb use, with kids practicing using their In summary, our objective of dem- and the Buffalo River valleys. We had a mountain for a great look around. own inert canisters. onstrating and including the next gen- lunch on an overlook with a view to 5. Horse packing demonstration eration in the wilderness ethic was forever. The afternoon was filled with the river with reflections and shadows extraordinaire. The horses and riders with each kid participating in loading met in an engaging and fun way. With games and lots of prizes for a dozen or more participants and their horses. were each decorated with dozens of the packs and sitting a horse. SBCH volunteering their members, There were plenty of helpers and some glow sticks that made for a mesmeriz- 6. Horsemanship: the seven horses and mules, equipment, knowl- came just to watch the afternoon fes- ing, bewitching sight as they rode out games of horsemanship featuring the edge and time, this event was truly an tivities. Members Majorie Heacock of camp. Parelli method of communicating with educational experience. and Bill Kenter planned and provided Sunday morning gave time for one your horse. all the games, prizes, and props. Just more ride before packing up and head- The wilderness portion, or ex- getting to watch was very entertaining! ing home. perience day, took place at the Little Saturday night’s full moon made a per- This MAY be the start of some- Sunlight trailhead and adjacent North fect light for that moonlight ride along thing big. 16 www.backcountryhorse.com Back Country Horsemen of America