HAHAHA! Next thing you know, your dad will erase your name off of one of his snowmobiles and put mine on! 
Muir Valley May Updated Info
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squeezindlemmon
- Posts: 1452
- Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2004 7:02 pm
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captain static
- Posts: 2438
- Joined: Mon Oct 07, 2002 6:05 pm
I used to look at snowmobiling like ATV's untill I took an x-c skiing trip up into the Snowy Range in WY. We were sure glad that snowmobiles had created a trail up to Snowy Range pass & we didn't have to break all that trail.Ascentionist wrote:I have never been skiing, but I know i would prefer it to snowmobilling.
"Be responsible for your actions and sensitive to the concerns of other visitors and land managers. ... Your reward is the opportunity to climb in one of the most beautiful areas in this part of the country." John H. Bronaugh
It's been a wild week at Muir.
First off, we need to remind visitors to DRIVE SLOWLY along the main gravel road leading back to the Muir Parking Lot. The neighbors have children out playing on the road, and the recent dry spell causes a lot of road dust. I sometimes wonder about people who build their houses ten feet from a gravel road, then get bent about dust. I also wonder about people who are concerned about their childrens' safety on the road, when they send three little girls out to ride one small ATV -- no helmets of course. Anyhow, please keep a sharp eye out at the blind hills.
Here's the scoop on the ATV that went over the cliff. (Another one -- not the little girls, thank goodness.) Saturday, eight people on five ATV's entered Muir Valley, ignoring the "No ATV's) sign, and proceeded to rip around a bit. When I went down to check it out, they were coming up the very steep log run next to the new switchback trail that leads down from the main parking lot. When I got there, they were removing all the logs we put in to stop the erosion on this old run so they could get to the top. While I was talking to the lead Bubba, the last guy in the group got off his ATV in the steepest part and walked over to the edge of the ravine to take a pee. Unattended, his vehicle started rolling and went over the cliff and dropped down about 80 feet. Kinda did my heart good at that point to see that old Yamaha auger in. They were a bit beligerent and mad at me, I guess for having the audacity of having such a steep "trail" for them to trespass on.
I excused myself about then, hiked back up to the parking lot, and called the Sheriff. After he arrived, the group explained that they were "lost" (which is standard response for a trespassing ATVer when he is confronted by a landowner.) That just pissed off the deputy who explained that these nuts bring their toys down from Ohio to tear the hell out of KY, then go home. But, not wanting anymore trouble and also wanting to retrieve their ATV, they cooled off and apologized, and I declined to press charges to minimize any possible future acts of revenge.
Anyhow the next day, it took four hours with comealongs for them to pull their ATV out of the ravine. Six feet from the top, their rope broke, and again, down she flew, accompanied with a lot of "Sheeee it fars" being yelled.
As the word gets, we are seeing fewer ATV's down there. This was the only incident this year. Nevertheless, we need to figure out a safe, sane way to keep ATVers out of the Valley. They ignore signs and can do a lot of damage.
Flashing back to last Thursday, some loggers were selectively cutting a few trees above the cliff to the right of the Sanctuary, and a couple of them got away from them and slid down over the cliff. Fortunately, no one was below. I had a chat with the loggers, who didn't know there was a nature preserve and climbing area below. It was a moot point anyway, inasmuch as they had finished their work in that area. The reason that there exists a beautiful edging of trees around the top of the cliffs is that the loggers don't like to get too close to the edge and usually leave these areas alone. Now, we need to dispose of the fallen trees.
Finally, a little positive news, Monday, I talked with the landowner who adjoins Muir Valley in the area where "Methusula" (our 160-year old Old-Growth Hemlock) sits. He strongly supports what we are doing with the Valley and promised not to allow any logging near this area now or in the future.
Many of you have commented on the magnificent size of this tree (4 feet dia. chest high) and have climbed up a rope ladder to take a better look. Please don't! With JJ spotting me Sunday, I kinda highballed up to the ledge where this tree stands and found the rope ladder is fraying and unsafe. It will be removed soon. Please do not use it.
JJ had a great idea to put in some via Ferrata type ladder steps so that folks can easily climb up into this area and see what trees used to look like in KY before the loggers arrived. For those of you who don't know where it is located, look on the download maps for the "Hideout." The cavern where the tree sits has a medieval forest feel about it with heavy mosses. Really beautiful -- kind of like a meeting place for leprichans and elves.
Enough rambling.
Rick
First off, we need to remind visitors to DRIVE SLOWLY along the main gravel road leading back to the Muir Parking Lot. The neighbors have children out playing on the road, and the recent dry spell causes a lot of road dust. I sometimes wonder about people who build their houses ten feet from a gravel road, then get bent about dust. I also wonder about people who are concerned about their childrens' safety on the road, when they send three little girls out to ride one small ATV -- no helmets of course. Anyhow, please keep a sharp eye out at the blind hills.
Here's the scoop on the ATV that went over the cliff. (Another one -- not the little girls, thank goodness.) Saturday, eight people on five ATV's entered Muir Valley, ignoring the "No ATV's) sign, and proceeded to rip around a bit. When I went down to check it out, they were coming up the very steep log run next to the new switchback trail that leads down from the main parking lot. When I got there, they were removing all the logs we put in to stop the erosion on this old run so they could get to the top. While I was talking to the lead Bubba, the last guy in the group got off his ATV in the steepest part and walked over to the edge of the ravine to take a pee. Unattended, his vehicle started rolling and went over the cliff and dropped down about 80 feet. Kinda did my heart good at that point to see that old Yamaha auger in. They were a bit beligerent and mad at me, I guess for having the audacity of having such a steep "trail" for them to trespass on.
I excused myself about then, hiked back up to the parking lot, and called the Sheriff. After he arrived, the group explained that they were "lost" (which is standard response for a trespassing ATVer when he is confronted by a landowner.) That just pissed off the deputy who explained that these nuts bring their toys down from Ohio to tear the hell out of KY, then go home. But, not wanting anymore trouble and also wanting to retrieve their ATV, they cooled off and apologized, and I declined to press charges to minimize any possible future acts of revenge.
Anyhow the next day, it took four hours with comealongs for them to pull their ATV out of the ravine. Six feet from the top, their rope broke, and again, down she flew, accompanied with a lot of "Sheeee it fars" being yelled.
As the word gets, we are seeing fewer ATV's down there. This was the only incident this year. Nevertheless, we need to figure out a safe, sane way to keep ATVers out of the Valley. They ignore signs and can do a lot of damage.
Flashing back to last Thursday, some loggers were selectively cutting a few trees above the cliff to the right of the Sanctuary, and a couple of them got away from them and slid down over the cliff. Fortunately, no one was below. I had a chat with the loggers, who didn't know there was a nature preserve and climbing area below. It was a moot point anyway, inasmuch as they had finished their work in that area. The reason that there exists a beautiful edging of trees around the top of the cliffs is that the loggers don't like to get too close to the edge and usually leave these areas alone. Now, we need to dispose of the fallen trees.
Finally, a little positive news, Monday, I talked with the landowner who adjoins Muir Valley in the area where "Methusula" (our 160-year old Old-Growth Hemlock) sits. He strongly supports what we are doing with the Valley and promised not to allow any logging near this area now or in the future.
Many of you have commented on the magnificent size of this tree (4 feet dia. chest high) and have climbed up a rope ladder to take a better look. Please don't! With JJ spotting me Sunday, I kinda highballed up to the ledge where this tree stands and found the rope ladder is fraying and unsafe. It will be removed soon. Please do not use it.
JJ had a great idea to put in some via Ferrata type ladder steps so that folks can easily climb up into this area and see what trees used to look like in KY before the loggers arrived. For those of you who don't know where it is located, look on the download maps for the "Hideout." The cavern where the tree sits has a medieval forest feel about it with heavy mosses. Really beautiful -- kind of like a meeting place for leprichans and elves.
Enough rambling.
Rick
We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand. - Randy Pausch
None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm. - Henry David Thoreau
None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm. - Henry David Thoreau
Rick -- I saw that rope when I was down on the 7th. Massively core shot. I didn't trust my 205 lb self on it.
I think either ladder steps or something similar is a great idea... the rope ladder was very hard to climb when the rock was wet.
I think either ladder steps or something similar is a great idea... the rope ladder was very hard to climb when the rock was wet.
Sarcasm is a tool the weak use to avoid confrontation. People with any balls just outright lie.
[quote="Meadows"]I try not to put it in my mouth now, but when I do, I hold it with just my lips.[/quote]
[quote="Meadows"]I try not to put it in my mouth now, but when I do, I hold it with just my lips.[/quote]