OHV Abuse

[snwbnny]

As I stated in a previous post, my opinion is based on the photos you provided. I have not been up there and will not be going up there. I have no need to. From what your photos describe, I am not outraged. That's all I've been trying to say. But by your definition, this area you describe can't be a "booby trap". The guard rail is your first clue that you shouldn't be there. It is not unexpected.

As far as the signs, I did not say that an off-roader took them down, just that they come down.

I am an AVID off-roader. I am not saying that closing land to our use is a good thing. We get a bad reputation because of a few, it just goes with the territory. Nothing new here. I've fought for keeping places open - Truckhaven down near the Salton Sea for one. And portions of Pismo. But if a trail is closed, stay off of it.

[roynlorimoore]

OK, snwbnny, you do and think whatever, but if I can say one last thing, my original posting was because I was very upset about the destruction of our forest and the issue of closed or open land just came in with all of the debate.  I am upset that people won't put forth an effort to take a look, they rather just think I'm a whack job or that I condone illegal activity.  My main issue here is that the forest service people severely damaged our forest in the name of protecting it.  That is not right or even within the limits of sanity.  To top it off they created situations that are without a doubt booby traps, which is illegal and for which they can be held liable for should something happen to someone who is up there for whatever reason.  And, by the way (everyone but motor vehicles can legally be there).  

The Roy part of roynlorimoore just asked me to say that he's been in Wrightwood since 1949 and he says he could be wrong, but he doesn't recall any "no trespassing" signs in that area. 

To everyone else on the forum reading this post:  Roy is 65 years old and had his hip replaced 3 months ago.  He says he'll gladly go up with anyone who wants to see for themselves.

[james6000]

If the illegal riders are still determined to ride up there, the Forest Service has another surprise for them, that I will not divulge, that could prove very costly for them.

The only part I'm concerned with is the single wire between the trees. This could hurt someone who happens to be walking in the area. That might have been a little extreme.

This is totally wrong, and for a forum moderator or government
agency to do this or even condone or like this idea is wrong.
Someone could be killed or seriously hurt. Can you say lawsuit?

[SkierBob]

If someone can post a picture of wire across a trail I can refer it to a reporter that would find it news worthy enough to go out to the location themselves and investigate.



 
 

[SBCty]

that is not something that agency people would do so I'd be very suspect of this whole story.

who's to say that that someone else didn't string wire between trees if it does exist.

[SkierBob]

that is not something that agency people would do so I'd be very suspect of this whole story.

who's to say that that someone else didn't string wire between trees if it does exist.

I find the accusation suspect myself. However there is a post in this thread where someone states they have knowlege of a big surprise by the Forest Service.

If I was the Forest Service I'd get my butt out there and remove the wire regardless of who put it up.. Better to be safe then have to deal with bad press.

I suppose I could go remove the wire (if it's really there) and see who gets upset about it.   

[SBCty]

i'm surprised on the booby trap spin put on this topic.

those special surprises brought up earlier in this topic have not been discussed in this topic and have nothing to do with injuring those that continue to ride illegally in the area. illegal riders beware as it will be costly if you ride in the area.

[BostonBob]

I find the accusation suspect myself. However there is a post in this thread where someone states they have knowlege of a big surprise by the Forest Service.

I stated it before and I will state it again, the surprise that I mentioned had NOTHING to do with booby traps or hurting illegal riders.

[SkierBob]

I find the accusation suspect myself. However there is a post in this thread where someone states they have knowlege of a big surprise by the Forest Service.

I stated it before and I will state it again, the surprise that I mentioned had NOTHING to do with booby traps or hurting illegal riders.

CYA

[james6000]

You all are making fun like I'm some kind of psycho who is delirious.  Let's hope it's not your kid who decides to go play around there and runs into the barbed wire.

I've got the photos now.  I don't know how to post photos on this site, so I went to snapfish to make an album.

Go to:

http://forestdamageinwrightwood.snapfish.com/snapfish

It may ask you for an e-mail address.  It is

wrightwoodforest@msn.com

password:  damage


When you open the album 4-26-08 in the photo albums section, (forget the demo album, I don't know how to get rid of it)  the thumbnails have a title which tries to tell you what you are looking at.  You can play a slideshow.  Tell me if you think what you see is ok.  The barbed wire is definitely a booby trap.  It is right about shoulder/head high.  Is this the way this should be handled?

[SkierBob]

Neck high wire


I wonder if the Neck high wire is the same type used to make this fence. I'll bet it is.


Looks like the USFS is using trash to block the road

[SBCty]

why would anyone taking the photo not remove something like that, if they found it and was indeed a rider.

something is fishy!

[SkierBob]

why would anyone taking the photo not remove something like that, if they found it and was indeed a rider.

something is fishy!

I thought they might have staged that pic by thowing the trash in the road and then the branches on top...

--------

Motorcyclist decapitated by wire across path
By Malcolm Moore in Rome
Last Updated: 1:11am BST 11/04/2007

An Italian motorcyclist has been decapitated after hitting a length of barbed wire strung between two trees at head height.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/04/11/wdecap11.xml

 

[NOONE-5150]

Judging by the other photo's, I would have to think it would be in line with th motives of who-ever is responsible for the public destruction of our land.  That road served as a fire break. Now correct me if I'm wrong, with the dead brush, and fallen trees, that purpose has now been defeated.  If indeed it is public land, and a person hiking suffers a heart attack or broken leg, it will take nothing less than a helicopter to get to them. It appears to me some certian individuals, have taken this matter into their own hands, and opened themselves to great liability.

[roynlorimoore]

We were walking in the area and found the trash under the shrub.  It is a big heavy object and I couldn't pick it up and try to navigate the beaten up path.
Why would anyone think I staged this to make a big deal out of it.  Come on, let's be real!!!!!

why would anyone taking the photo not remove something like that, if they found it and was indeed a rider.

something is fishy!

I thought they might have staged that pic by thowing the trash in the road and then the branches on top...

--------

Motorcyclist decapitated by wire across path
By Malcolm Moore in Rome
Last Updated: 1:11am BST 11/04/2007

An Italian motorcyclist has been decapitated after hitting a length of barbed wire strung between two trees at head height.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/04/11/wdecap11.xml

 

[roynlorimoore]

Thank you.

If the illegal riders are still determined to ride up there, the Forest Service has another surprise for them, that I will not divulge, that could prove very costly for them.

The only part I'm concerned with is the single wire between the trees. This could hurt someone who happens to be walking in the area. That might have been a little extreme.

This is totally wrong, and for a forum moderator or government
agency to do this or even condone or like this idea is wrong.
Someone could be killed or seriously hurt. Can you say lawsuit?

[NOONE-5150]

Since when did it become mandatory to carry wire cutters, while hiking in our National Forests?

[Jack]

I hope nobody here wants to see someone get hurt. And if a vigilante is setting up these traps they need to stop. It won't be funny when someone does get hurt.

[Hillbillies]

Has anyone cut down the wire yet.  Can someone please go cut down the wire so this does not get any uglier than it already has.....  I would do it in a flash, but I am out of the area....

As a kid I saw the results of a horse that happend to run through some barbed wire.  Pretty much decapitated the animal.  I would sure hate to see what this would do to a human traveling as fast as a running horse.  

[roynlorimoore]

No, skierbob, the wire you see in the photo is barbed wire.  The wire that the fence across the trail is a finer, 4 inch square type of fencing.

And to SBCtv - nothing fishy. 

[roynlorimoore]

I'll go cut it down since I know where it is, but, I would hope some of you come to my defense if I get in trouble for it. 

[Hillbillies]

I'll go cut it down since I know where it is, but, I would hope some of you come to my defense if I get in trouble for it. 

How are you going to get in trouble for cutting down wire that was put up with the intent to hurt someone.

Illegal offraoding is wrong, annoying, destructive, and rude!

Hanging wire to hurt or kill these annoying riders is just plane mental....

[ChattyCathy]

I'm glad the wire is being cut.

Years ago my brother was riding his bike on the Santa Ana River bike trail, and someone had strung across a wire.  He struck it at his chest.  It knocked him off his bike and cut into his skin.  My brother is 6'6", so someone shorter may have been killed.

[WWMtnGal]

A teenager from Phelan was killed a few years ago (he went to Serrano) when he was riding his dirt bike and did not see a wire strung across this area he was riding in and it hit him right across his neck. 

[givemeabreak]

I work for the forest service and i helped do the work at the levels.  We did not put up that barbwire, come on people how ignorant can you be !  We dug no ditches, holes, or set any BOOBY TRAPS.  That area was closed do to a archiological site at the top of the trail.  We did what we did there because putting up closed signs does no good, people dont care so we put up guardrail and fence.  And people are still cutting the fence and destroying it to go ride up there.  Is this place really that good of a riding spot that you'll risk a fine and possible jail time for destroying government property?  If your so pissed at us why didnt you come talk to us, we would have gladly talked to you and explain what we were doing and why, and gave you the proper number(s) to call to complain about it.  Get all the facts first so you know what your talking about, that way you dont sound so ridiculos.  If you have any questions leave them on this post and I will check here when I can and try to answer them to the best of my knowledge.  I ride dirtbikes and I can honestly say I hate closing riding areas but I have to do what im told to do at work, sorry for the inconvienance.