Captain Jacks Trail

[ThorsTwin]

For all you Dirty South dirt riders:

Some tree hugger group is trying to close the Captain Jack's Trail. Visit the CMTRA for specifics and see what you can do to help prevent this. Anyway, this "Biological Diversity" group has apparently initiated a lawsuit saying that the dirtbikes on this trail are threatening the Cutthroat trout population. This trail has been accessible for nearly 60 years. Many of us have helped maintain and enjoyed this trail many many times. I would hate to see this privilege disappear.

[FZRguy]

It's happening all over the state...and the country. What can you do? You can support groups like COHVCO, Blue Ribbon, TPA, AMA. Don't wait til all the trails are gone to get involved!

[kawasakirob]

I hate groups like that. Sometimes they can be of good use, but most the time they do nothing but piss people off over minor BS things. IF they are worried about the cutthroat population, why dont they go after CDOt for all of the crap they throw on the roads...which gets washed into the streams every spring. Sure a little oil/gas leaks out onto the ground when crossing streams or someone crashes like that, but the amount is nowhere near the amount of contamination of every day motor vehicles running alongside a mountain stream. Especially in the winter.

[ThorsTwin]

I've ridden for many years on that trail. I will do all I can to help stop this shit.

[JohnEffinK]

I think the decision was made a few days ago to close it...

John

[kawasakirob]

^ Really?

[JohnEffinK]

Here is one article. I saw one in the COS Gazette on tues or weds....

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_22...ect-endangered

Feds ban motorcycles on Bear Creek trails to protect endangered trout

COLORADO SPRINGS — Federal land managers will ban motorcycles on a popular trail system near Colorado Springs to protect the endangered greenback cutthroat trout.
The Forest Service will close the trails around Bear Creek in the Pike National Forest to settle a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity.
The suit said erosion from motorcycles damages fish habitat.
Research, reported last summer, said the Bear Creek greenback cutthroats were the only genetically pure population left. About 750 live in 4 miles of the creek.
The Center for Biological Diversity praised the decision.
Don Riggle of the Colorado Trails Preservation Alliance, which advocates for motorcycle-trail access, says motorcycles are being unfairly singled out. He says mountain bikes, horses and hikers cause more damage than motorcycles.

[JohnEffinK]

And

http://articles.outtherecolorado.com...roup-bear.html

Forest Service settles with environmental group, agrees to ban dirt bikes

Litigation was filed to protect endangered trout


November 21, 2012 1:47 PM
R. SCOTT RAPPOLD
THE GAZETTE
Bowing to lawsuit by an environmental group, the U.S. Forest Service Wednesday agreed to ban dirt bikes on a popular trail system in Colorado Springs to protect an endangered fish.
The Center for Biological Diversity sued the agency this spring, claiming erosion from dirt bikes was damaging greenback cutthroat trout habitat. The fish is listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act, its numbers decimated by disease and competition from imported trout.
The future of the Bear Creek fish took on a new importance this summer, when research revealed they are the only genetically pure greenback cutthroat trout left anywhere, about 750 living in a 4-mile stretch.
The settlement gives the Forest Service 10 days to install signs and barriers on trails 665, 668, 701 and 720. Trail No. 667, also known as the Buckhorn Trail, will be open to dirt bikes only from High Drive to a saddle above the Bear Creek drainage.
“We’re so glad the Forest Service agreed to do the right thing and protect the only place in the world where greenback cutthroat trout still live in the wild,” said Tim Ream, attorney for the environmental group. “This endangered fish has been hanging on by a thread for decades. The last thing it needs is motorcycles tearing through its only home and filling the creek with sediment.”
The Forest Service would have to get approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before reopening the trails to vehicles.
Colorado Springs dirt bike rider Don Riggle, president of the Trails Preservation Alliance, slammed the settlement.
Dirt bike groups have ridden and maintained the trails for decades, and Riggle questioned why only they are being excluded.
“Why wasn’t the whole thing closed? Because the entire trail system is the problem,” he said. “Now they’re going to let mountain bikes, horses, hikers and others continue to use that trail and cause more damage than motorcycles ever caused.”
“Here’s another example of the Forest Service and government bending over to another threat just to alleviate a lawsuit,” he said.
A Forest Service spokesman said Wednesday nobody from the agency was available to address the settlement because of the Thanksgiving holiday.

[FZRguy]

The lawsuit is nothing but a ruse. Groups such as The Wilderness Society, Quiet Use Coalition, Wildlands CPR, Center for Native Ecosystems, etc. file frivolous lawsuits to ban motorized travel on trails that have been used and maintained by motorcyclists for decades. It's happening all over the country.

Groups like COHVCO file counter lawsuits to protect our right to ride. The anti-access groups are well-funded and COHVCO needs your help! They need member numbers and they need $. You can join for only $35 per year at http://cohvco.org/. Do it before it's too late!

[kawasakirob]

I remember working with the Quite use Coalition in the past. Nothing but stuck up weirdos who knew/cared about absolutely nothing except fighting for quite use areas. We met with them to "understand" eachother but it was just a mess. You could feel the tension in the air.

[kawasakirob]

REMEMBERING CAPTAIN JACKS


A few years ago


Looking out over towards the springs


Stuck


Sizing up one of the many great climbs.


Deciding if there is anything we need to do to the trail


Burning rubber on some rocks

[kawasakirob]

Troubleshooting an electrical problem


Giving the Cutthroat trout population a drink!!!

[ThorsTwin]

Well maybe I'll just head up there and take up fishing again!!

Spotted Owl, Bald Eagle, Greenback Cutthroat Trout Stew...Here I come.

[KX450Racer]

Not quite so- read this;

UPDATE OF THE BEAR CREEK LAWSUIT AND TEMPORARY CLOSURE

? This alert is to address the significant interest regarding recent announcements of a “ban” on motorcycle use of the popular trail along Bear Creek outside Colorado Springs. There is more to the story than was unfortunately reported inaccurately by the Colorado Springs Gazette in its story posted online at 8:54 p.m. on November 21. (see http://www.gazette.com/articles/ban-147585-group-bear.html). The Gazette story jumped the gun and misstated some key facts.



First,the story fails to explain the “settlement” is PROPOSED and has not been approved by the Court. In fact, by order issued at 9:36 a.m. on Monday, November 26, the Court DENIED the settlement as presented. The reference in the article to the Forest Service having “10 days to ban the vehicles” fails to note that the 10 days runs from Court approval of the settlement. Obviously that has not yet occurred and wil lnot occur until the USFS and Plaintiff, Center for Biological Diversity address the Court’s concerns.



Second,the CMTRA, TPA and COHVCO are interveners in this lawsuit. This means several things. We have formal party status in the case, and can provide input to the Court on the settlement. The settlement comes as no surprise and we have been monitoring the negotiations between the USFS and CBD through our counsel, who has decades of experience in dozens of public lands recreation lawsuits and similar situations.



Third, the story conspicuously omits mention of the fact that in the proposed settlement the Forest Service admits none of CBD’s allegations or claims, and agrees only to “temporary closures” of specified trails on Forest Service land near Bear Creek. The settlemen trefers to completion of a Forest Service “watershed assessment” which was planned before CBD filed its suit and “consultation” with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the outcome of that assessment. A possible outcome(s) following conclusion of these agency activities may include the resumption of motorcycle use on one or more of the trails mentioned in the settlement.



Fourth,the practical significance of the “ban” cannot be evaluated until the agency assessment is completed. The primary trail of interest, Trail 667, lies deep in a canyon on primarily north-aspect slopes and is effectively closed from at least December through March mos tyears by weather. In other words, no one meaningfully rides 667 during the winter regardless of the settlement. A nonmotorized route, Trail 666, is traveled daily by many users, yet reflects unimproved crossings and sedimentation issues at least as great as those of the motorized route 667 conveniently ignored by CBD. It is at least conceivable that the agency activities required by the settlement might be completed prior to resumption of the 2013 “season” for motorcycle use of Trail 667. We believe the timing and specific language of the settlement agreement reflect awareness of these factors and the relative procedural ease with which the CBD case can be side-stepped by the agencies.



CMTRA, TPA and COHVCO have been participating in a“roundtable” process at Bear Creek alongside many other groups including nonmotorized recreationists, Trout Unlimited, and the City of Colorado Springs. This roundtable predates the CBD suit and has resulted in numerous improvements to the motorized and nonmotorized trails along Bear Creek and will continue to seek long-term management solutions. We appreciate your awareness of the complete story in forming an opinion about the Bear Creek trails and any support you can provide for the ongoing efforts of the CMTRA, TPA and COHVCO.

[JohnEffinK]

Nice, thanks for the update. Goes back to the old saying that the first report is usually wrong!

John

[FZRguy]

It's always wrong when it comes to the anti-access groups.

[FZRguy]

Proposed dirt bike ban in Bear Creek area on hold
November 27, 2012 5:37 PM
R. SCOTT RAPPOLD
THE GAZETTE

A federal judge has rejected a settlement that would have temporarily banned dirt bikes on a popular trail network in the Bear Creek drainage just west of Colorado Springs. Environmental group the Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Forest Service this spring to try to force the agency to ban dirt bikes on five trails, claiming the vehicles cause erosion that damages habitat of greenback cutthroat trout. Recent research has revealed a four-mile stretch of Bear Creek is home to the only genetically pure population of its kind left anywhere, the ancestors of fish introduced there by a settler in the 1880s.

Last week, attorneys for the environmental group and the Forest Service signed a settlement, with the agency agreeing to ban dirt bikes on trails 665, 668, 701 and 720 and part of trail 667. Officials agreed to install signs and barriers within 10 days of the court approving the settlement and to keep the trails closed until an ongoing watershed assessment is complete. They also agreed to get approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before reopening the trails to vehicles.

But Monday, U.S. District Court Judge John L. Kane rejected the settlement. At issue is a provision saying if there is a dispute over the implementation of the document, neither side can be found in contempt of court. The judge ruled that provision exceeds the authority of the two sides and could lead to them not reporting violations of the court order. Tim Ream, attorney for the environmental group, called it a “very esoteric point” and said negotiations continue on reworking the settlement.

Dirt bike groups, who have funded and carried out maintenance work on the trails for years, have blasted the lawsuit as unfairly singling out dirt bike riders from hikers, mountain bike riders and others they say also impact the creek. “We are not satisfied with the process to date,” said Don Riggle, president of the Colorado Springs-based Trails Preservation Alliance. His is one of three groups representing motorized vehicle riders that have joined the lawsuit as intervenors.

He said he agreed to a settlement with the Center for Biological Diversity with the understanding the ban would be in place only for the winter months, until the trails could be realigned, but last week’s settlement differed “in principle.” The document includes no timetable for reopening. Pike National Forest spokeswoman Barb Timock said dirt bikes are allowed on the trails for now. Asked how the judge’s ruling might impact a settlement, she said negotiations continue and declined to comment further.

[jgixxer1]

so is it open? i want to go ride there saturday

[JohnEffinK]

A buddy of mine rode it a few days ago.

John

[jgixxer1]

Anyone want to ride capt jacks tomorrow? My usual ridin buddies have a blown up bike and the other needs to spend some quality time with wifey.

Any interest, text 719.406.5467

[spdu4ia]

Nnnooo the dirt bikes make such good berms to hit later on a mountain bike. Go for it guys

[preludepearl417]

Nnnooo the dirt bikes make such good berms to hit later on a mountain bike. Go for it guys

+1

[FZRguy]

ACTION ALERT FROM COHVCO

LEGISLATION THREATENS OHV USE

December 5, 2012 - The American Motorcycle Association (AMA) issued an alert regarding the Sportsmen Heritage Act as it works its way through the United State Senate. There is very broad language in the bill that offers a significant threat to OHV Use on public lands across the country. Click here to read the alert and take action to notify your Senator of your concerns. Scott Jones has penned a letter on behalf of COHVCO and TPA. You can read it here. Feel free to use the points Scott has raised in your response. A vote on the bill could happen in the next couple of days so please don't delay in taking action.

[ThorsTwin]

It's official. Government goons up there on friday putting up signs saying no more bikes. As of today, Saturday the 8th, at midnight, no more motorized vehicles.