The little post hole digger with the chainsaw engine was the worst!! that little machine got heavy after about four holes.
All being said I am really glad I got the opportunity to go out and help get a trail open, hopefully.
I have a HUGE new respect for Jerry of Predator 4x4, after talking with him about the hurdles he has had to deal with, the money he has put up, his '92 Dodge truck that twists like it has a plastic frame, and how a 50 year old guy outworked my butt all day really makes you appreciate what has been done to open Hackett, Longwater, and metberry. He is a stand-up guy, as are all the others who showed up.......some coming as far as from Arvada.
The reality is that no one HAS to do anything to open these trails. I am grateful to Teller county for taking the initiative to do something for our hobby, and for tourism.
Also it should be noted that there was almost a stipulation that these trails would not open unless ATV use was excluded, which also tells me that it is not going unnoticed that the ATV's are much harder on the forest than are our 4x4's. I am usually the first one to throw the ATV crowd under the bus because I just feel that they are by nature a less responsible group. Jerry was asked about this and felt that no motorized use should be excluded, which I now agree with based on the fact that the ATV crowd is starting to get organized and educated, and ultimatley add to our "motorized use" number of votes.
Despite that, there will always be bad apples. Case in point: as we got to Hackett Gulch to unlock the gate, it was discovered that someone had dismantled the gate hinges so that the gate could be hinged from the chain holding it closed.......This kind of stupidity makes you really question the future of our land use.
I had a really good time, and got to meet some new wheelers that I hope to meet on the trail some day. I felt good about holding the torch for us toyota guys on saturday.(I had to ride all day with 5 Jeeps) And thanks goes to Chuck, who held that torch on sunday as I had to leave early to keep the wife happy.
I REALLY hope Hackett opens this week, because I gave up a chance to drive it since she wanted me home early, she will never hear the end of this if i missed that opportunity!