SPANISH th 25DITION Y E ERSAR ANNIV TRACES VOLUME 26 F NO 3 WINTER 2020 National Trail System Act | Historic Sites & High Potential Segments | Trail Corridors Happy Holidays . and Best Historic Wishes From the Board and Staff at the Old Spanish Trail Association A MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION TO OSTA MAKES A GREAT GIFT! CONTENTS WINTER 2020 2 Executive Director / Los Senderos 4 OSTA President / President Pathways OLD SPANISH TRAIL ASSOCIATION 6 Chapter Report / New Mexico 7 Chapter Report / North Branch, Colorado The Old Spanish Trail (OST), one of America’s 8 Trail News long-distance pioneer trade routes, is recognized 10 In Memoriam: Barbara Matheson by Congress as a National Historic Trail. From 1829 through 1848, traders and pack mules followed the 12 A Look Back: Spanish Traces OST on a typically six-week trek from northern New 13 Remembering Ron Kessler Mexico to Southern California, where woolen goods 15 Book Release: America’s National Historic from New Mexico were swapped for horses and Trails by Karen Berger pack stock raised on California’s ranchos. Many took 16 The Importance of the the trail — traders, frontiersmen, trappers, families, National Trails System Act military expeditions, and Indian guides. 18 Management of Trail Corridors 20 National Environmental Policy Act and The mission of the Old Spanish Trail Association National Historic Preservation Act (OSTA) is to study, preserve, protect, interpret, 22 High Potential Sites and Segments and promote appropriate use of the Old Spanish 34 Featured High Potential Segment: Trail (OST), Old Spanish National Historic Trail California Crossing (OSNHT) and closely related historic routes. 40 OSTA Board / Chapter Presidents We encourage you to join OSTA, help in trail preservation, and increase appreciation of the multicultural heritage of the American Southwest. ON THE COVER Iron fencing protects the | oldspanishtrail.org | Dominguez-Escalante The OSTA website is the place to go for both general and Expedition “Paso Por Aqui comprehensive background and recent news on the OSNHT Año 1776” inscription and OSTA. The site contains maps, an overview history of from vandalism and the trail, and a bibliography of relevant books with links graffiti. Located in the for purchases of books and other OSTA merchandise from Glen Canyon Recreation the Association. There is also a regularly updated news Area near the Crossing page that contains links to government reports, activities of the Fathers and of OSTA members, and other news related to the trail. listed on the National The web page links to National Park Service (NPS) and Register of Historic Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sites, where public Places, the inscription documents and maps related to the OSNHT can be found. was first reported in Memberships (new or renewal) may be paid on the OSTA 2006 by OSTA member James Page, website, and donations, both general and for specific then-president of the Armijo Chapter. OSTA volunteers projects, can be made through the OSTA website as well. played a key role in authenticating the inscription and ~~~~~ preparing the national register nomination. Spanish Traces is the official publication of the Old Spanish Trail Association (OSTA), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, incorporated under the laws of the State of Colorado. Spanish Traces welcomes SPRING 2021 DEADLINE submission of articles, book reviews, and Old Spanish Trail-related news. OSTA assumes no responsibility for statements or opinions of We would love to receive your comments, suggestions, contributors. Spanish Traces is copyrighted to OSTA in its entirety, but photos, and ideas for future issues. The deadline for copyright to individual articles is retained by the author. All matters submissions for the Spring 2021 issue is March 15, 2021. relating to Spanish Traces should be directed to the OSTA President Send to Lynn Brittner, [email protected]. (Paul Ostapuk, [email protected]). LOS SENDEROS By Lynn Brittner, Executive Director and five percent each to Fish & during a pandemic. Via Zoom and Wildlife, Bureau of Indian Affairs, webinar integration, those who and Bureau of Land Management. attended could ask questions by Because of the issues we chat audio. faced this year relating to the One whole day was dedicated pandemic, the way we gather in to opportunities to partner with large groups has changed. The states through initiatives such lthough this year held many pandemic has encouraged us to as the GAOA, and information A uncertainties that included re-think in-person conferences on how projects will be funded a pandemic, a massive economic and workshops. Many non-profits through the bill and working downturn, and issues of social have begun to think outside of the with land trusts and partners injustice, there was some good box on how we gather as a group. outside the trail community to news for the year 2020. Approved The Partnership for the save National Trails. The goal in August was the Great American National Trails System Annual of the workshop was to include Outdoor Act (GAOA), a law Fall Workshop (originally interactive and compelling designed to encourage more scheduled at Ghost Ranch, NM) sessions and by using a virtual outdoor recreational opportunities was transformed into a virtual format. PNTS was able to reduce throughout the country. The US workshop, avoiding the risk the price of the registration Senate voted to pass GAOA, of exposure to the COVID-19 and will at a later date make and the bipartisan legislation virus, and getting around travel recordings of the entire workshop fully funded the Land & Water restrictions. By addressing the new available. Over two hundred Conservation fund after years of reality of these challenging times, people virtually attended or effort from many organizations, the PNTS offered a National presented at the PNTS’ first virtual including the Partnership for the Trails Virtual Fall Workshop from workshop. u National Trails System. The PNTS October 21- played a major role in working 29 by utilizing towards securing this much- Zoom and other needed funding. The GAOA will technologies to provide access to nearly two promote National billion dollars per year for the next Trails. During this five years. These funds will address Zoom conference the backlogged maintenance — participants, such as reopening closed trails, from their home, out-of-service restrooms, poorly attended a virtual maintained campgrounds — and workshop that other needs in our National Parks, presented issues National Forests, and other public that included: lands, and hopefully will aid in diversity inclusion, addressing trail needs on federal increasing capacity land. Seventy percent of the thru organizational funds will go to National Parks, development, fifteen percent to National Forests, and fundraising 2 SPANISH TRACES WINTER 2020 oldspanishtrail.org See page 39 for membership information. PRESIDENT PATHWAYS By Paul Ostapuk, OSTA President and awareness, and realizing the In 2017, the NPS and BLM issued development of a Comprehensive what is known as the OSNHT Management Plan by the NPS and Comprehensive Administrative BLM trail administrators. The Old Strategy. This 141-page document Spanish National Historic Trail is considered the core component (OSNHT) was officially designated for federal agency planning. by Congress in 2002, eight years It directs federal agency land after the OSTA association was managers along the length of the incorporated. trail with specific responsibilities to assure their land use and land management plans (and other s we celebrate 25 years undertakings) A of OSTA’s Spanish Traces publication, it’s important to look back on the journey. Three of the early priorities for Old Spanish Trail Association were seeking congressional designation of the trail, increasing public education The Comprehensive Administrative Strategy directs federal agency land managers with the responsibility of assuring their land use and land management plans comply with the requirements, mandates, and goals of the National Trails System Act. 4 SPANISH TRACES WINTER 2020 oldspanishtrail.org comply with the requirements, experiences and increase mandates, and goals of the public enjoyment of the National Trails System Act. Old Spanish Trail. It’s been an administratively We are proud to have you as slow process. Only recently have supporting members. Working various land manager field offices with our agency partners, OSTA begun the process of providing has a voice and an opportunity protection for the trail corridor in to increase protection of the their resource management plans. OSNHT and landscape corridors. Going forward for the next In addition, we can be part of a 25 years, we face emerging growing movement to promote priorities such as diversity and national trails as a special feature inclusion, trail stewardship and of the American experience. landscape protection in the face Our country’s network of of a major restructuring of our national scenic and historic energy resources, and the gradual trails is the envy of the world. u implementation of recreation plans to enhance outdoor Some sample pages from the 162-page Comprehensive Administrative Strategy manual. WINTER 2020 SPANISH TRACES 5 oldspanishtrail.org CHAPTER REPORT New Mexico By Celinda Reynolds Kaelin n August, Mark Henderson, NEWS TAOS I OSTA Salida Del Sol Chapter member, received the distinguished 2020 Richard A. Bice Award for Archaeological Mark Henderson, Achievement on behalf of the left, a volunteer and member of Archaeological Society of New the Old Spanish Mexico (ASNM). Trail Association, This award recognized Mark teaches Taos High School for his sustained contributions to students to use the Taos Archaeological Society GPS devices. and to the mission of ASNM to document, preserve, and protect the archaeological heritage of New Mexico. In previous efforts, Henderson lands. A $14,200 grant, awarded Trail to connect “underserved helped secure a grant from the through the “America’s Best Idea” youth” from Taos and Peñasco to National Park Foundation to program, funded the program the cultural and natural resources engage Taos County students to called “La Vereda Vieja” — an associated with the historic trail.