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2011 Officers Issue 04 APRIL 2011

PRESIDENT / STATE REP Stacy Kuhns Hi Guys (909) 633-1705 [email protected] Wow, it’s April. This is the best time of the year. The days are getting longer and there will be more “saddle time”. Lack of it can make ya crazy! I’m proof of that lately. The weather is VICE-PRESIDENT Audrey Turpin spectacular now. So now that I live here I’ve been told this is a lot of snow for LRE. My water (951) 852-1708 lines are in now thanks to the help of Tim and Kyle. I’m no longer tripping over 300 ft of hoses [email protected] and not worry about freezing and unable to water the horses. Since moving up here, I am starting to talk like a backwoods mountain chick. Talking about the best ways to trap gophers, squirrels SECRETARY and such. After work, now I check my “trap lines”. Yep, it’s the little victories in the world that Anne York (951) 662-2928 make ya happy. I have hung my shingle on the front entry “Calamity Ranch”. It is fitting I’ve been [email protected] told.

TREASURER I am writing this presidents' message while on the way to Rendezvous. Yes I am late with my Michael Lewis part of the newsletter. Sorry. Our road trip adventure stated as we pulled out at 4am and away (951) 760-9255 we went. We will see who makes it back alive, Audrey or me. We are running on about 3 hours [email protected] sleep and “everything” is hilarious! Good times.

NEWSLETTER EDITOR & The meeting in March was very informative and if you couldn’t make it out you sure did miss WEBMASTER out. Sam talked to us about using trail tools in 2010 and they may possibly be able to acquire Rhonda Strickland some for us for 2011 at no charge or very reasonably. That’s awesome. We will be learning some (951) 951-522-8757 [email protected] trail building from him down on the PCT near Chihuahua Valley Lost Valley Area. He can use the help and we can always take some solid advice on trail building. NEWSLETTER CO-EDITOR Stacy Kuhns The meeting for April will be at the Little Red Schoolhouse on Thurs April for the general

EDUCATION CO-CHAIRS meeting followed by a slide presentation narrated by Audrey and Myself on the adventure on the Allison Renck Grand Canyon. The Board Meeting time and place will be announced at a later time, after we (951) 763-0374 return from Rendezvous. [email protected] Tom Firth Mike and Tim worked on manufacturing the two Gates by the same specs as Nevada BCH (951) 551-9711 has used. They even painted them a nice green. Thanks Guys for your time and hard work. [email protected] There are a few of us that have gone down and done the fingerprinting thru the County and are rearing to go. We are now waiting for word back from Johnny Garcia to make a date for PUBLIC LANDS Stacy Kuhns installation. We are hopeful we will be able to have them installed and their debut for the Poker (909) 633-1705 Ride in May. The cost of these Gates are much more reasonable compared to the one we [email protected] installed a year or so ago with Johnny.

TRAIL COMMITTEE The Trail Trial Event will need to be postponed until July due to scheduling conflicts in the Allison Renck local area. We will get you dates as soon as we can. (951) 763-0374 [email protected] Highway clean up will start in April. We will get dates on the website and get it hammered out. Thanks Tim for taking on this beast. Many hands make for light work!! MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR / HISTORIAN Don’t forget about the Poker Ride on Sunday May 1st hosted by Mike and Pebbles. The info is Carol Schmuhl on the flyer. Same place new trail! This is gonna be a great time to ride out there. We will have (951) 767-1061 an information booth for Redshank Riders BCHC at the “Battle of the Bands event” on April 30th. [email protected] Please come out and have some fun and support the community. RIDE COMMITEE Cathy Firth, Robyn Prinzing, We met with Monica from the Wilderness Coalition at our trail committee meeting Sandi Korman, Teri Pirillo last week. She brought a lot of information re the proposed Beauty Mountain and Aqua Tibia Wilderness Act of 2011 in County. We have been asked for input re where the staging ADOPT A HIGHWAY areas can go. Tim Turpin (951) 852-1708 Cya on the trails, Stacy [email protected]

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Redshank Riders March 10th, 2011 keeping track and the updating of memberships Meeting Minutes submitted to BCHC. We also discussed how we might maintain Location: Little Red Schoolhouse, Anza members and how to determine membership at Meeting called to order at 7:45 pm - 18 Attendees events, as well as the importance of having a waiver signed by each participant at each ride. Pete Anne read Minutes from February meeting. motioned that a liability waiver be composed and No corrections. made mandatory for participation. It will be Audrey motioned to accept minutes, 2nd by Pete implemented at Ron & Sandy’s ride on March 19th.

 Treasurers Report: Mike read the treasurer’s report. A motion was made by Mike to adjourn, 2nd by Ending Balance: $6,600.11 Audrey. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm

Trail Development & Maintenance: Allison reported that there would be a Trails Committee meeting on March 27th. Stacy is working on sorting out the signage requirements. (See pg 6 for meeting info) Unit Meeting Thursday, Apr. 14th 7:00 PM at The Little Red School House Adopt a Highway: Tim Turpin has volunteered to take this over. REMINDER: Public Lands: There will be a Vaccination Clinic at Stacy planned to learn more at the Rendezvous. (See pg 5 for meeting info) Bomar Ranch (GV) on April 9th, conducted by Dr. Huth. Education: (See pg 3 for more info). Allison reports that the new equine club at the high school would like to become involved with us. Audrey suggested that they might help out at the Trail Trial. Pete raised the question of liability which Allison will check into.

Unfinished Business: Unfinished Business: Mike moved that we budget a maximum of $1300 to purchase and make improvements to an open box trailer. We had a vote and it passed unanimously in favor.

New Business: Pete moved that we pay for Rhonda’s membership as we really appreciate all she does. Pebbles 2nd, the vote was passed. Stacy placed a business card ad in our newsletter and paid $50 to our treasurer. There was a discussion about the problems with

3 Even more information about the Saturday, April 9th Veterinary Clinic being held at Bomar Ranch in Garner Valley sponsored by Redshank Riders - an open event.

At 10AM, Dr.Chris Huth, of Temeku Equine in Temecula, will be WHERE: available to vaccinate your horse(s) with NO RANCH VISIT FEES, Bomar Ranch in Garner will do FREE teeth exams, and answer your horse health questions. Valley, He will have the following vaccines available-your choice: 37099 Tool Box Springs Rd. 4-way (east/west encephalitis/tetanus/west nile DIRECTIONS: booster) From Hwy 74, turn north on Rhino/flu Devils Ladder Road, go 1/4 Rabies mile to Tool Box Springs Strangles Road, turn left-go 300 ft. to West Nile Additionally, there will be discussions on EQUINE NUTRITION, Bomar Ranch effective and INEXPENSIVE slow-feeding (especially important when hay is heading toward a million dollars a bale) LEAVE-NO- Questions? Call Ron or TRACE principles, local EQUESTRIAN TRAILS, and there will be Sandy Korman (951) 659- a backcountry PACKING demo. 0332 or email Again, this is an OPEN EVENT-even if you decide not to bring your [email protected] horse, bring your horsey neighbor, or your mother-in-law, or the gal/ guy who owes you money...

Mark your calendars!! Poker Ride May 1st

At Mike & Pebbles home 52820 Elder Creek, Aguanga

Directions From Temecula: Take I- 15 to Hwy 79 South, go left on 371. Turn right on Bradford Rd, which curves to left and becomes Tuley Peak. Pavement will end at Hernley, turn left on Hernley and follow signs.

From Hemet: Take Hwy 74 up the mountain to Hwy 371 toward Anza. Go through Anza. Turn left on Bradford Rd, follow same directions as above.

Contact Audrey - 951-852-1708 [email protected] TO CONFIRM 4 5 Public Lands Info BEAUTY MOUNTAIN AND AQUA TIBIA WILDERNESS ACT OF 2011

The Beauty Mountain Proposed Wilderness (13.635 acres) Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) introduced HR 41 on January 5,2011 to add 13,635 to the existing 15,627-acre Beauty Mountain Wilderness. The beauty Mountain Wilderness was recently established by legislation by Rep. Mary Bono-Mack(R-palm Springs) that was approved by Congress, and signed by President Obama in 2009. The proposed addition would add public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management in Northern San Diego County. As its name implies, Beauty Mountain is a scenic jewel draped in chaparral, fascinating rock formations and oak woodlands. The area is part of an essential biological corridor linking the Palomar, San Jacinto, and Santa Rosa Mountains. The California Riding and Hiking trail crossed the area. On warm spring days, visitors are greeted with the heady scents of sage, Manzanita, and California lilac while hill after misty hill rises in the distance, presenting an unbroken view of the wild country. Agua Tibia Wilderness addition (7,796 acres): the existing 17,969-acre Agua Tibia Wilderness encompasses much of the northern end of the scenic Range. The area is located on the Cleveland National Forest and straddles the San Diego and Riverside County line. Rep. Darrell Issa(R-Vista) introduced HR41 on January 5, 2011 to add 7,796 acres to the Aqua Tibia wilderness. This proposed addition builds on a recent 1,500-acre expansion of the wilderness made possible by legislation introduced by Rep. Mary bono-Mack (R-Palm Springs) that was approved by Congress and signed by president Obama in March 2009. Recommended by the Forest Service for protection, the proposed addition would expand the existing wilderness eastward. The area has deep canyons cloaked primarily in coastal sage and chaparral. North-facing slopes support stands of big cone Douglas fir and other Conifers. Wilderness – A Part of California’s Wild Heritage “ … It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Congress to secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness.” – The Wilderness Act of 1964 In 1964, Congress passed, and President Lyndon B. Johnson signed, the Wilderness Act – which calls for the preservation of areas “where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.” In other words, these areas are to remain in their natural state and are protected from development such as logging roads, dams, or other permanent structures. Mining, livestock grazing, hunting, and fishing are permitted to continue in wilderness areas if these practices existed prior to an area’s designation. BENEFITS OF WILDERNESS There are many tangible and intangible benefits to wilderness, including: Clean Water and Clean Air – California’s national forests are the source of nearly 60% of California’s clean drinking water supply, and they help to improve air quality by acting as a filter for pollutants. By protecting these resources with wilderness designation, we are preserving a major source of our clean air and water. Recreational Opportunities – Each year, millions of families, hunters, anglers, hikers, backpackers, whitewater boaters, campers, horseback riders, photographers and birdwatchers flock to wilderness areas to recreate, and escape to the outdoors. In fact, participation in wilderness camping and hiking by California residents increased 42 percent from 1990 to 1998, reaching 24 million visitor days of backpacking and nearly 64 million visitor days of hiking in 1998. Economic Benefits – California’s rural regions once depended on resource extraction. Now, many earn their living from tourism and recreation, activities that depend on healthy ecosystems. In the Sierra Nevada, for example, recreation creates four times as much economic activity as does national forest logging. And while less than 10 percent of California’s unprotected wilderness areas are suitable for logging, they are almost all suitable for recreational activities. Visitors to wilderness generate an additional $44 per acre per year of spending in nearby communities – contributing nearly one job for every 550 acres of wilderness. Studies show that visitors to Wild & Scenic Rivers contribute $40-$60 a day to the local economy. In addition, studies have shown that protected land can enhance the value of nearby private property. Wild Heritage – California’s wilderness is the source of our wild heritage. By setting aside these areas today, we are preserving them for future generations. Home to Plants and Animals – California is home to a spectacular variety of more than 5,800 plant species and 800 species of wildlife – many of which depend on habitat found in protected and unprotected wilderness areas. In fact, more than 200 rare, threatened and endangered native plants, and over 50 threatened animals are found in California’s unprotected wilderness. CALIFORNIA’S WILD HERITAGE IS THREATENED Unprotected wilderness is threatened. Over the last 20 years, an area of unprotected wilderness nearly the size of has been lost in California. Less than 8% of California’s land qualifies for wilderness designation – and that is all that is left. And still these areas remain open to logging, mining, road construction and dirt bikes. Once these areas are lost, they will be gone forever. And only Congress has the authority to designate new public lands as wilderness. WILDERNESS IS… The 1964 Wilderness Act defines wilderness as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain. Wilderness is further defined to mean undeveloped federal land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation, which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions. Wilderness generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable. Wilderness will have outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation that is at least five thousand acres of land or is of sufficient size as to make practicable its preservation and use in an unimpaired condition. Wilderness may also contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or (Continued on page 6) 6

(Continued from page 5) historical value. Wilderness protection applies only to public lands – and does not infringe on property owners ability to develop their land as they see fit. In fact, studies have shown that property values go up in areas that are near federally protected lands and rivers. Wilderness does not create any appreciable costs to taxpayers. Many recreational activities are permitted in wilderness areas, including hunting, hiking, fishing, and rafting. Both mining and grazing are allowed, so long as their use, or claim to future use, was established before designation as wilderness. And while wilderness protection prohibits logging, mining, and off-road vehicle use, those activities are still permitted on specific public lands – often in lands adjacent to wilderness. Agencies that manage federal lands, such as the Forest Service, , and Bureau of Land Management are required to inventory, study, and recommend federal lands that meet the definition above for protection by Congress. Most of the areas proposed for wilderness protection by the North San Diego Wild Campaign have been inventoried by federal agencies and determined eligible for wilderness protection.

Submitted by Stacy Kuhns

Redshank Riders Trail Committee Meeting Minutes Sunday March 27, 2011

Present at Meeting: Bob Jones Audrey Turpin Stacy Kuhns Allison Renck Guests: Monica and Leon Argandona

Committee Meeting started at 3:00pm

Monica Argandona from the California Wilderness Coalition spoke to committee about Beauty Mountain and Agua Tibia proposed wilderness act of 2011. She outlined areas included and that the bill includes wording that there will be staging areas for camping/hiking and horse use. She asked for input from our group on areas we would believe would be good areas for staging. Bob Jones has some areas he believes could be good areas for staging that are close to highway. Bob, Stacy and Audrey will look into this and get with Monica by 5/14/2011 Monica reported there will be a hearing on proposed wilderness in early summer Allison reported that Johnny Garcia of RCA is on active duty now and our contact person is Ruben Rodriguez. He emailed that the horse step over gate at the Winchester 700 Tule Valley parcel is the first project approved and the gate would be in the southeast boundary area. Mike Lewis has agreed to build the gate. Ruben has asked us to keep an eye on the RCA properties and report any dumping or other destructive activity. Ruben will meet with us when he has some time. Allison will follow up with him and get a date for meeting Trail Committee members that have submitted volunteer paperwork are Allison Renck, Mike Lewis and Stacy Kuhns. Beauty Mountain: Bob reported he is still waiting for the map of all the trails so he can submit it to BLM. The map is needed so we can designate areas to put the trail signs. Bob reported the gentleman doing it is not charging us, so it might take some time. Committee feels this is important to complete, so committee asked Bob to follow up with him and try and get a timeline for completion. Stacy reported that Sam from PCTA will be coordinating with us on a future work day on PCTA. Committee determined there needs to be work party on Million Dollar Springs Trail. No date determined Committee meeting ended at 4:30pm

Submitted by Allison Renck - Trails Committee Chair 7 Packers Corner

By: Michael Lewis

Here it is the latter part of March and it is time to get ready for a new packing season. Time to dig out the pack saddles, locate all the gear, dust, repair, and oil. The weather will start to improve and this year’s trail work on the PCT has already begun. This spring we have the opportunity to ride new trails and see new country. Friday, March 25th., Bob Jones and I had the chance to pre-ride a section of the PCT in the Morongo Valley area and help out fellow BCH member from the San Gorgonio unit, Greg Palmer. It was a small supply trip with only 3 loads, Bob and I just tagged along to check out the trail and prepare for a bigger pack_in next Sunday that involves 8-loads for a larger trail crew. The trail is very rocky with a lot of water crossings, 16 to be exact. Anyone interested in helping put just let us know. We can always use extra hands or just ride along. Below are a few pics from Sundays ride. To see this trip on everytrail.com follow this link, http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1014057

Headed up the trail towards camp One of the water crossings

Rock steps on trail Looking down Mission Creek

Do you have photos you’d like to share? Send them to me at [email protected] 8

Riverside County Trails Committee Event Calendar 2011

*April 9 & 10 - McCall Memorial Park Trail Work Day and Ride

*May 21 & 22 - Bogart Park Trail Work Day and Ride

**June 11 - Santa Ana River Trail Bicycle Ride and Equestrian Trail Ride with hosts Phil Bremenstuhl and Frank Hall

**July 16 - Hidden Valley Wildlife Area Night Hike with hosts Amie Kinne and Frank Hall

**September 17 &18 - Diamond Valley Lake and Lake Skinner Camping Trail Ride, Bicycle Ride, and hike with hosts Lynn Mattocks and Bob Hewitt

*October 15 & 16 - McCall Memorial Park Trail Ride and Barbeque

**November 19 - Coachella Valley Reserve Hike with host LeGrand Velez

*Parks District sponsored event ** Trails Committee event

Please note that these are not BCHC sponsored events. Calendar is for informational purposes only. 9

April 3 - Happy Valley B-Day Ride Apr 9 - Spring Veterinary Clinic - (see page 3) Apr 30 - Battle of the Bands event

May 1 - Poker Ride May 5-8 - Los Vaqueros Work Party (San Diego Unit) (see page

RedShank Riders BCHC P.O. BOX 383

Aguanga, Ca 92536 10 10