HACKET & LONGWATER Trip !!!! Sun Aug 9th

[Isotel]

I think we have all been waiting 8 years or so to here about this! Thanks to Volunteers like Luke Chuck, and Mark the Trails Are OPEN!! (Sorry if i Left you out, and THANKS for your Effort!)

EDIT:

Lets head up there on Sunday August 9th! Meet at the Western @ 8:30 Leave @ 9:00
or Meet at the Trail Head about 9:30/9:45.

Trevor

[EricG]

Not sure about Longwater, but there isn't much turn-around room at all at the bottom of Hackett. Something to think about if alot of trucks show up.

I'll try to make it!

[PPFJ60]

I won't be able to make it this weekend. I am going to Taos NM with the family.

[powderpig]

Enjoy and have fun. Hopefully you have seen this message that is being passed around.
----- Original Message -----
From: julie@predator4wd.com


To the volunteers, who donated their time and energy to trail work on July 18 and 19, thank you. With a small group of hard-working volunteers, the final work on the Teller County portions of both Longwater Gulch and Hackett Gulch was completed. On July 22, Teller County Officials and Forest Service Officials were driven over the trails to get their required approval. Teller County Officials and the Forest Service Officials gave their approval and the Teller County portions of Metberry, Hackett, and Longwater Gulches are now open. Hip, Hip, Hurray for the hard work and dedication of the volunteers.

Only the Teller County portions of these trails are now open. The Park County portions of these trails, the last portions of the trails that lead down to the Platte River, are NOT OPEN. Hackett and Longwater are open only to the Park County line. The Park County line is approximately .25 miles to .5 miles from the river. Metberry is still open to the river.

The volunteer effort to open the Park County portions of the trails will continue. The Park County Commissioners have not determined whether they will open the Park County portions of these trails. They would be opening these trails to provide access, recreation, and tourism to their county. We believe, once the Park County officials see the efforts and the maintenance provided by the volunteers, that they will want to open the remainder of the trails. The closures at the county line, although not popular with many, must be honored. We have the opportunity to show that we are committed to opening these trails. If the closures are not honored or damaged is perceived, Park County may decide against obtaining the easements necessary to open the trails. Park County must be assured that we, the off-road community, will stand behind our work and not abandon the task of maintaining the trails. Park County will not open the trails if they perceive that it will cost them labor, man hours, or money. It is a 100 percent volunteer effort that Park County will be using to open these trails. If they do not believe the volunteers are capable, they will walk away. We must police ourselves. The counties expect us to be responsible and the future of the trails depends upon it. If you see violators, take pictures, get license plate numbers or OHV numbers and report them to the Sheriff’s office. Because these trails are county easements, the County Sheriff can prosecute violators.

Opening these trails has been a very long and slow political process that has taken 100's of hours of volunteer time and years to achieve. It may be difficult to see the cable closure across the trails, but please respect the closures. With enough patience, energy, and time, we believe the trails will open down to the river.

"Character is what we do when no one is looking." - H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

There is evidence that motorcycles and ATV’s have been driving around the gates on Hackett Gulch. If you know any motorcycle riders or ATVers, that use this area, please encourage them to pass the word about the closures.

Julie Panek
Predator 4 Wheel Drive,llc

Robbie

[Isotel]

EDIT: Date Changed to the 9th, this is the day after the Rally Meet at the Western Station in Woodland Park @ 8:30 Leaving @ 9:00

Or, Meet at the Trailhead at around 9:30

[alteredvision]

Posting that I am in here too because this is the Colorado springs club and that is where I am coming from.

[Isotel]

Altered Vision, Sweet, i look forward to meeting you, whats your name? what type of truck do you have?

[nuclearlemon]

In case you guys don't get the emails from charles wells...

"Your Help Is Needed

At the request of Jerry Panek of Predator 4-Wheel Drive, wh! o has worked many years on this project on behalf of four-wheelers everywhere who have missed these great trails, I’d like to ask you to please take a few minutes to send a letter to commissioners at Teller County thanking them for their efforts in getting these trails designated as county roads. We are often quick to complain about government actions and we sometimes forget that our government is made up of real people. In this case, real people in Teller County worked hard to get this done. Send letters to: Teller County Commissioners, P.O. Box 959, Cripple Creek, CO 80813.

And while you’re at it, now would be an opportune time to send a letter to Park County commissioners, who are presently weighing the pros and cons of designating as county roads the closed parts of the trails along the river. Send letters to: Park County Commissioners, P.O Box 1373, Fairplay, CO 80440."

he also sent some pics from a recent run up all three gulches and an updated map

[PPFJ60]

I am planning on being at the trail head at 9:30am. I will have two other rigs with me.

I think that the group leaving the Western station at 9:00am will be a little late for meeting at the trail head at 9:30am?

[Man Jerk]

Chuck, how much am I off? What will it take to get to the trailhead from WP?

I'm sure we can count on you to hold down the fort for us right?

[CO_Hunter]

I'll be there, my daughter wants to go wheeling Trevor maybe we can talk sliders...