In This Issue: 
From the President...
John's Notes & Updates
Thanks for Your Support
Adopt-A-Highway
Interpretive Programs
Trail Notes
My Rookie Season; Part 3
Bear Bend, Bighorn Slope...
Back Issues:
1999 May
1999 April
1999 January
1998 October
1998 September
1998 August
1998 July
1998 June
1998 May
1998 April
1997 December
1997 October
1997 September
1997 August
1997 July
4-VICTOR is published by the San Gorgonio Volunteer Association, 34701 Mill Creek Road, Mentone, CA 92359. A non-profit organization in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service, San Bernardino National Forest. The goals of the partnership are to educate the public to preserve and conserve our natural resources.
4-Victor newsletter
edited by Teri Cappuccio and Ann Robinson
Portions of this newsletter may have been edited to present material applicable to the general viewing public.
JUNE/JULY 1999
Volume 3 - Issue 4/5
Hello to all. What a great start we are off to this season. There was a very enthusiastic turn out for the trail maintenance training day. Karen McKinley spent the day instructing volunteers in the art of safely maintaining and repairing trails and the tools used in that pursuit. The following weekend we had another large turnout for the interpretive training. It appears we have a wonderful group of people assisting Sheila McMahon with her season full of interpretive commitments.
We have had an abundance of volunteers for our weekend patrols with a lot of public contact already being made in the Wilderness. We were lucky the weather stayed cooler for Memorial Day Weekend. Many of the fire crews were committed to the Joshua Tree fires and we didn’t need anything blowing up on the mountain.
A few weeks back, I made a trip with a few of the equestrians to check out the stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail from Coon Creek to Big Bear. It was a long day in the saddle for me, but Val Silva, Ross Stark, and Del Hawkins did not seem to mind. We were able to do some trail work and sawed out a few trees blocking the trail. Danny Silva and Mary Stark manned the trucks and trailers. They met us at Onyx Summit for lunch and again in Big Bear to take us back to Tulake Camp. The biggest problem we had was that evening when we tried to explain to John Flippin that we had seen bears, a mountain lion, African lions, and white tigers. He started looking for the empty bottles. But, way out on the east end of the mountain, on private property near the PCT, is a place where the animals are kept and some are trained. You should have seen those lions watching the horses go by and vice versa. It was like a good old-fashioned stare down.
The week after that trip, I traveled into the Wilderness with a group of 8-year-old Cub Scouts and their parents. They were from Pack 309, Den 4 in Ontario. We went up South Fork and visited Sandy Messner at Horse Meadows. Then it was off to Poop Out Hill and a break. These kids did great and were asking questions about everything. We then went up to South Fork Meadows for lunch and stopped by one of the ice cold bubbling springs for a drink of "really good" water. Watching their awe and dealing with their curiosity reminded me of the first time I went to South Fork Meadows. I was 8 years old and a camper at Camp LaVerne. The people who took the time to answer my questions and show me new things had no idea how much the area would become a part of my life. Remember that when we meet the public up on the mountains, we can have an enormous impact on how they remember our area. I hope their memories are always as wonderful as those of an 8-year-old Roger.
I look forward to seeing more of you as the season progresses. Stay safe and keep up the good work.
National Trails Day
Boy, did we do some last minute scrambling but it worked, and worked well. We had planned to do our annual National Trails Day (NTD) work on the Pacific Crest Trail east of the Mission Creek Trail Camp. Due to an out-of-control schedule, I did not have time to do a preliminary survey of the area until Memorial Weekend. I found that there was not enough work to warrant a full crew spending a day down there. Because I had a list of approximately 20 equestrian and foot patrol personnel who volunteered to work that day, Val Silva and I started looking for solutions. We knew that Peter Huber at Alpine Meadows Camp was planting thousands of new trees at the camp. John Flippin and I met with Peter to let him know we had some manpower to help with his project. It turned out that the late freezes wiped out the nursery that had his trees and there would be no planting project. Okay, now what? It came to my attention that the trail from Barton Flats Visitor Center to Jenks Lake was in dire need of repair. Val said that the equestrians were going to work on some trails in the Heart Bar and Aspen Grove areas. (Val said their project went very smoothly--I just have trouble picturing someone on a horse using a McCloud. Maybe they put really long handles on them or something.) But there was one more twist to the story. I knew what needed to be done, had a crew, but I could not make it to the NTD work. I have to give my thanks to Bill Tibbitts for stepping up to bat in a big way. I left a few notes for him and spoke with him for about a half hour on Friday evening and he took it from there. Saturday morning came and Bill had a crew assembled to carry out the plan. The crew included John Dombrowski, Jamie LaPointe, Ted Schofield, Bill Ostic, Darlene Maes, Kim Maes, Victor Wirt, Jerry Schaper, Dan and Diane Riley and their son Dan Jr., Janelle Kotzin, and Bill Hedekin. What they did that day is amazing. If you have a chance, take a trip up that trail. I don’t believe anyone will be able to mistake the proper path to take, and they will have to look real hard to try to find any signs of erosion or switchback cutting. Signs are now in place, and we are getting good feedback from the public that often ended up lost over in the cabin tract. And while Bill’s crew was working their way towards Jenks Lake, three of our other volunteers were doing some tough trail work just east of there. Sheila McMahon, Liz Roeser and Evan Wilkinson were helping out our good partners at Alpine Meadows Camp by cleaning up a recreation area and repairing trails. A big thanks to all who participated. Also, a thank you is in store for Karen McKinley for getting National Trails Day patches for all the participating volunteers. Again, a special thanks to Bill Tibbitts for accepting the extra responsibility. P.S. If anybody with a little artistic ability would like to volunteer to sketch up a simple map of the trail from the visitor center to Jenks Lake, please call John or me. I tried, but it’s hard to tell the difference between my stick people and a telephone pole.
Roger Gossett
SGVA President
John’s Notes and Updates
John Flippin-Volunteer Coordinator
Forest Supervisor To Visit Barton Flats
Gene Zimmerman, the San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor, will visit the Barton Flats Visitor Center on July 25th at 1 P.M. Gene will have an informal talk with SGVA members about the state of the Forest and the benefits of the Adventure Pass Program. Please join us in talking with our leader who supports and greatly appreciates the work of all volunteers throughout the San Bernardino National Forest.
In Days Gone By
Kevin Hauser from BSA Troop 127 of Riverside sent us this interesting excerpt from an old mountain guidebook. In the 1964 "Guidebook to the San Bernardino Mountains," the author, Russ Leadabrand, states, "A special campfire permit is required for camping in the Wilderness. This can only be obtained at the Mill Creek District Ranger Station or at the Barton Flats Ranger Station. Also required for campers going into the wilderness are an ax with at least a 26-inch handle and a two-pound head, and a shovel with at least an overall length of 36 inches and an eight-inch blade. This is a yearlong requirement." This is actually a very recent guidebook as I was already a teenager by then.
In the Right Place at the Right Time
On the weekends, when 90 percent of the visitors go into the Wilderness, our volunteer patrol teams are almost always in the right place at the right time because you all provide very good coverage of the Wilderness and surrounding areas. On Memorial Day weekend, Ed Lutz and Bill McBlaine provided excellent assistance to a lady who spilled boiling soup on her lower legs and feet. They helped the injured lady and a companion down the mountain to be transported to a hospital and ensured that her other companions and equipment left behind were taken care of. Also on Memorial Day weekend, Roger and Patti Gossett, and John Urbino were first on the scene to call in and assist with the helicopter evacuation of a 13-year-old boy who had broken his ankle at Alger Creek Camp on the Momyer Trail. More recently, Teri Cappuccio and Mary Hart came upon a visitor in the Jackstraw Springs area who was suffering from acute altitude sickness and/or dehydration. Teri and Mary were able to make the gentleman reasonably comfortable and escort him back down the trail to where he was feeling considerably better back at the trailhead.
We have received several letters of thanks for these incidents and for other services provided by all our volunteers. Here are some small excerpts from a few of these letters. Paul J. H. said, "I wish to acknowledge the kindness, thoughtfulness, and assistance of two Forest Service volunteers. They are clearly a credit to your service and our party remains indebted to them." Dana S. said, "You have a wonderful volunteer program with kind, experienced, and knowledgeable personnel." Cookie A. said, "I would like to express my personal thanks for the superior attitude and work of your volunteers." In my responses to these letters of appreciation, I say that while hating to see people injured, ill, or lost, all paid and volunteer members of the Forest Service team are glad to be there to help in any way they can.
We deeply appreciate all our volunteers who help to ensure that we usually have someone in the right place at the right time when the public needs help.
Creating Sites on the Web
Some of you may know that Michael Gordon, our long-time volunteer web site manager, also has a web site design business. If you know of anyone needing some web work, please let them know about Waxwing Designs. Michael's skills are not limited to site design. He also does graphics for the web, Internet and email consulting (maintaining mailing lists, surfing the web, etc.), proofreading/editing, research, window washing and cooking (just kidding, no windows).
Michael has experience in designing web sites from the ground up, including all graphics. He values quality, conciseness, and cleanliness, in addition to easy navigation and a pleasing appearance. Michael will do something as minimal as a simple single logo, to complete site design, or even maintenance or updates at a currently successful site.
- Aztec
Concrete Accessories
Doug Hartzheim, Owner - Gitty Denver
- Bob Lehmann
Adopt-A-Highway
Cindy McGregor-Adopt-A-Highway Leader Many thanks to Sandy Baxter, Pam Bierce, Susan Braunwalder, Lisa Clark, Jan Gudgell, Pat Peters, and Margaret Phelps for coming out and helping with the Adopt-a-Highway on June 12. We picked up nine large bags of trash. Please note: the August pickup has been changed to August 7. We'll meet at Hwy. 38 and the road into Heart Bar Station at 9:00 a.m. Be sure to wear long pants and bring water. If you have any questions, please call Cindy McGregor at 909-780-7051.
Interpretive Programs
Sheila McMahon-Interpretive Program Leader
Requests are coming in from camps and community centers for programs. Volunteers have been wonderful about agreeing to do these programs. Karen Saffle gave a program at Camp Arbolado for 85 campers, including many in wheelchairs. She said they were a wonderful group.
Horse Meadows opened for the new season on May 22 with 65 visitors stopping to chat. One young boy was fascinated by another visitor’s horse. He got to feed it an apple and sit on it for a short time. The horse bowed its thanks and the boy’s smile was wonderful to see.
We had visitors from Russia, Argentina, and Belgium. The many young people coming through were polite and interested in learning about the plants and wildlife. Also visiting were our own Val Silva and Peggy Manning. It was good to see them. On May 23, Sandy and Adrian Messner (along with Sandy’s dog, Ranger) greeted 53 visitors with a display of mountain animals.
What? A Program for 320 Girls?
It did not phase our new volunteer, Linda Harrison. She got on-the-job training from Lenore Will, Patrol 17, and then took over the job of discussing the local animals with the Girl Scouts at Camp Tautona. At first she said she was overwhelmed, but by the end of the day she said it was a wonderful experience and she had met many great people.
Horse Meadows
We are still getting many visitors to stop and chat as they walk through the meadow. John Wegner has added a well-marked topo map and another water jug to our supplies. He came well prepared to answer visitors’ questions about the fauna and flora.
Kim and David Van Horsen are training their new twins, Peter and Faith, right.. They greeted visitors on both a Saturday and a Sunday at the meadow. All went well, except some large dogs ran off with the kangaroo rat on display. The rat was rescued and is doing well after some emergency surgery on its stuffing and fur.
Jan Gudgell, Pat Peters, and Sandy and Fred Baxter helped greet 91 visitors one Saturday. The number of visitors to Horse Meadows is well above last year. Walter Roth also introduced his daughter to the wonders of nature and the meadow on a Sunday as he and John Dombrowski took care of Horse Meadows for us.
I hope many more people will sign up for their day (or weekend) in the Meadow. Volunteers can stay overnight at Horse Meadows or at nearby Tulake Volunteer Camp where showers and a kitchen are available. If you are interested or would like further information, please contact Sheila McMahon, 909-683-8850.
Trail Notes
Val Silva-Equestrian Coordinator National Trails Day We had a great time clearing trail on National Trails Days. Believe it or not there wasn't a horse in sight, and we were all equestrians. Four new equestrians were in our group and they were certainly a big help. They all say they will come back again and that's a good sign.
David Rydbeck and Bill Carleton are from the Cucamonga Wilderness volunteers. Karen McKinley asked them to train with our equestrian group this summer. I warned them they wouldn't want to leave the San Gorgonio Wilderness after seeing it. After the trail work, we rode up to South Fork Meadows. I think Dave and Bill will be staying with us for a while.
Nicki and Don Dunn have ridden in our mountains a lot so they know the area. They are from Yucca Valley (our Desert bunch) which means we'll see them a lot this summer when the temperatures rise. Nicki groomed the trail and Don did water bars - a great addition to the group.
For the old timers, the trail work was enjoyable--we all worked and talked, catching up on the past winter and horse tails. Pat Peters, Jan Gudgell, Sandy and Ron Perkins, Cindy and Joe McGregor, Danny and myself all did a great job--there are no more rocks or brush on a two-mile section of the Santa Ana River trail.
I spoke with some of the trail group that worked the Jenks Lake trail. They said the same thing. Trail work in a large group gets a lot done with a minimal effort and a lot of fun. Of course, the minimal effort is not a minimal physical effort, but because you're with friends the work seems easier. The physical effort was felt the next day.
We took pictures with the camera Roger Gossett gave us. I must say, if we have a competition with the Jenks Lake group, we looked smashing in our yellow helmets. They will never look as good.
The Fish Creek Hotel
If you haven't made your vacation plans yet, you might want look into going to the Fish Creek Hotel. I understand there are a few rooms left.
As you know, Teddi Boston has been patrolling from Fish Creek Saddle for many years. In the past few years, she must be getting lonely as her tent keeps getting larger. I believe last year it was a 6-person tent. Apparently, that wasn't big enough because this year it is reportedly a 20-person tent (give or take a few).
Ross Stark, Gail Seymour, and Earl Rider took Teddi’s summer equipment up Memorial Day weekend. When they arrived and unpacked her supplies from the packhorses (it used to take only one packhorse), they offered to help with the tent. Teddi wisely accepted the help. According to all parties, it was a good thing Earl was along with his mechanical skills as the tent was a little more involved than anyone had ever seen. I haven't seen it yet, but I hear if the bear comes in one door, Teddi can hide inside or go out the other door to escape.
Hotel Fish Creek has a great view and wonderful company. Be sure to book your reservations early!!
Tulake Camp
Tulake has been in full swing this past month. We've had a lot of people in and out and of course a few good meals. [Editor-Thanks Danny!]
Teri Cappuccio and Mary Hart have stayed with us twice. They sleep very well because John makes them hike all the hard trails. They aren't even worried anymore about the bear that visits here. They come in take a shower, eat, and go to bed. They’re not real party animals, although they sat around the campfire pretty late last time.
Teddi Boston has been staying with us on Friday nights. Then Saturday morning she gets up and hikes to Fish Creek Saddle. She likes to be on the Fish Creek Road before sun-up. We all try to hear her leave but usually before we open our eyes she is gone.
We also had Kim and David Van Horsen staying one weekend with their 8-month-old twins, Peter and Faith. Mom, Dad and the twins enjoyed Horse Meadows. John said with Cassidy Silva, age 18 mos., and the twins, our volunteer average age has declined considerably. You can't usually say that about age.
We've had our normal water breaks and miscellaneous pipe problems. Everything seems to be working fine now. We look forward to more people staying with us. Danny loves to show everyone his special fire, and of course new people mean we can tell all our old stories again. We'll listen to yours too. [Editor-Believe It!! The special campfire, the scary stories, the tasty food, Val, Danny, and the rest of the gang at Tulake always make you feel welcomed. Thanks everyone!]
Rest in Peace
Some sad equine news. We lost two good volunteers in May. Nugget, belonging to Peggy Manning, and Pearl, belonging to Kathy Greenway, passed away. Those of you who attended the three-day trail work last summer at Saxton will remember them well. They carried your packs, food, and water. Both were faithful, hardworking friends and will be missed by all.
Buster the Aircraft Carrier
Buster is Kathy Greenway’s pack mule. He is also Kirt Moore’s riding mule. Cassidy Silva, my granddaughter, has taken a fancy to him and tries for a ride each time she sees him. Peggy Manning even took a picture of Cassidy on Buster, and if you know Peggy you'll know seeing her near a mule is very odd..
One day Kathy and I were wandering around Fish Creek Saddle visiting you know who, when Bill McBlaine called from Dry Lake and asked if we could pick up some "stuff." When we got there, we found someone had left a tent, sleeping bag, pots and pans, and Top Ramen. The tent with everything in it was partially buried and had been wet. It smelled delightful (to an earthworm). Additionally Bill thought we should take out an errant airplane part that has been hanging out at Dry Lake for some time. Apparently, it came from the wreck on the Sky High Trail and someone got tired of hauling it around.
Buster graciously allowed us to put all this "stuff" on his pack and take it out. The airplane part fit nicely on the top, it was about two feet in diameter and weighed 30 lbs. If you want to attract attention from the hikers just carry an airplane part on your mule. Everyone we passed asked what it was and where we got it. We just said Buster was an aircraft carrier.
Trail Crew
The new trail crew is now working in the Wilderness. Their first experience was to survey the trails at the higher regions. They camped for a couple of nights at Dollar Lake Saddle and Mineshaft. Karen McKinley asked if we could take some water and food to them.
Ross Stark and I dropped their water and food at the start of the Sky High Trail and then rode back down and up again to drop the rest of the water at Dollar Lake Saddle where the other group was camped. We never saw them but we talked to them on the radio and they left us a bag to take down for them. The note on the bag was addressed to "Lady with horse." I think that was me--I took the bag anyway. I like the name, sounds kind of Indian. We're all looking forward to meeting the trail crew and working with them (do you think they'll call me Lady after we meet them ...sure)
My Rookie Season; Part 3 of 3
David Van Horsen This year (1998) of course, Dry Lake isn't dry. Setting up at Lodgepole Springs, I feel good and ready for a summit run. It is a gorgeous August day in the mountains. While walking to Mineshaft Saddle I am reminded of a winter trip I took where we traveled this route. That day was every bit as clear and beautiful as today (except no snow this time). The ridge below Trail Flat is wonderful and provides exceptional views of Jepson Peak. At the saddle, some clouds from the desert begin to hang over the summit. Not rain, but they nicely cover the sun and make for a relatively cool hike along the Sky-High Trail. I always liked this trail with its views to the east, access to Bighorn Mountain and Tosh's Tarn. We summit around 4 pm and visit with other hikers, checking permits and answering questions. The summit of "Old Greyback" is such a great place, all rocky and treeless. As we begin down the trail the alpenglow is just beginning. I am envious of those spending the night here.
One of the more tedious and disappointing duties of a backcountry ranger is picking up trash. We spend a couple of hours wandering back and forth through the Dry Lake camps picking up all manner of things... plastic wrap, styrofoam cups, cassette tape boxes, socks, and those little red sticks that come with the cheese and cracker packages. I remember pull-tabs from soda cans were everywhere in the 70's, but they have been replaced by the plastic covers from "sport-top" water bottles. I find an even dozen today. The worst bit of dumping we come across is a large trash bag that we have to recover from the fork of a tree. Now, I can forgive someone not realizing a small bit of paper got away, but knowingly stuffing a bag of trash in a tree is just the act of a selfish, boorish slob.
But all good things must come to an end. My wife Kim was carrying our twins, and after she had been steadfastly filling out permits and answering questions at the Barton Flats Visitor Center all summer we decided traveling far from the hospital was no longer a good idea. [Editor: Twins Peter and Faith now volunteer with Mom and Dad at Horse Meadows.] So our trips to the mountains ended for the season. Looking back at my rookie season I see visitors sincerely appreciative of our efforts in patrolling the Wilderness and maintaining the trails. I saw many families enjoying a brief stop at Barton Flats, viewing the displays and talking with the volunteers. I see our biggest contribution is in personal contact with visitors. While the occasional "flinty glance" may be worthwhile, friendly, open-faced communication and a thoughtful and informative answer to a question are mandatory. And on that level, I think we all can fill the Vibram prints of our predecessors.
Bear Bend, Bighorn Slope,
Bad Ant Point
Janelle Kotzin
Ever heard of these places? No, they’re not on the map… Anyway, not yet. Someday, Jaimie LaPointe and I will be recognized as the adventurers that first named these sites along the trail to John’s Meadow.
Resident wildlife must figure that anything moving as slow as we do up the trail couldn’t possibly be a threat. Like everyone else up there, we have witnessed the bad ants, zippy lizards, swarming termites, slinky squirrels, and squawking jays, but last year on our first patrol out, a bear suddenly came sliding and crashing down a tree trunk into the underbrush near the trail. We were, of course, delighted and whipped out the camera and got a number of great shots. We did, that is, in a little split-second fantasy before we quickly backed off in half-panic and half-wonder. Did I say delighted us? Humm… well perhaps "startled" is a better word--or maybe "terrified"!!
Fuzzy Wuzzy never made a sound after disappearing into the underbrush, so perhaps he was as startled as we were. We hurried down the trail, warning hikers of the bear. They, of course, immediately went in search of Fuzzy. Once safely back at Barton Flats with our reward soda, we were able to say, "Hey, that’s neat! We saw a bear!" "Bear Bend" we quietly whisper to one another each time we pass through that twist in the trail.
Then, this year, same trail, first patrol out, déjá vu. Above "Bear Bend," Jaimie suddenly says, "Janelle!" in the same frantic voice she used when she spotted the bear last year. My stomach flip-flops and my mind flashes, "Bear!" Yet as I look up through the trees, across the trail ahead, an amazing sight leaps into view. A Bighorn sheep, appearing well fed and fleet of foot, whiter than I would have imagined, gracefully bounded down the steep slope before us with the greatest of ease. Once
again, frozen in our split-second vision of taking award winning photos, we saw it, and then the beast was gone, disappearing so easily in less distance than I would have thought possible. Jaimie and I continue to scan the trees, chattering ignorantly about its size, age, and sex. Neither of us knows 2-cents about Bighorns, but we carried on sounding quite wise to each other. We dared to hope for a second glimpse, but like a dream, it had vanished. So, let it be, "Bighorn Slope." Now we not only see a bear behind every tree at Bear Bend, but misty, ghosts of Bighorn sheep tease our peripheral vision every time a twig snaps.
I feel very fortunate to have experienced the thrill of seeing these amazing creatures in their own backyard, doing what they do outside a zoo. Although slow with a camera, I can see them over and over again in memory. Even if I had managed a good photograph, I doubt that it would have lived up to the memory. Experience is a treasure that’s hard to share.
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