Dusy-Ershim opening 2011

Big Ed · Jul 28, 2011

I walked the middle section of the trail(Thompson to Ershim Lake)Mon-wed,coming in and out from foot trails via Florence lake. I counted 12 trees down across the trail and 10-12 of those were 10" or less,the biggest was approaching 3 feet. There were three spots of standing water and patches of snow up to one and a half feet deep and two to three rig lengths long. There were also areas that were free of snow,but still wet/muddy. There are more creeks running than normal and the mosquitos are thick.

Our club is going in tommorrow to start clearing trees and helping the Hill Hoppers Club get started installing the new toilet at Ershim Lake. As wet as the trail is,I don't see the Forest Service opening the trail to the public until at least next weekend. I will be on the clearing crew this weekend and will update when I get back.

Big Ed · Aug 22, 2011

The trail officially opened Friday afternoon(8-19-2011). There are now two new toilets at Ershim Lake campground courtesy of the Hill Hoppers 4WD club. They did the install because they adopted that campground. I helped haul in sections on the 13th and my son and I helped put up the first toilet on the 19th,nice facilities. The late opening is due to massive snow pack and the water/mud it left behind. Trail closes November 1st.

pismojim · Aug 22, 2011

BigEd,

Thanks for the updates and your work on the trail. Are the rest of the trails in the area open now?

What's the name of your club?

:clap:

Cheers,

alvarorb · Aug 24, 2011

Big Ed,

Thanks for your work on the trail.
It's one of my favorites. Specially Thompson Hill.

Regards

Alvaro

esh · Aug 24, 2011

Big Ed,

Thanks for the great work! I have yet to run it, but Dusy is on the short list in the States. Almost had a run going for Oct, but things fell apart.

Big Ed · Aug 25, 2011

pismojim said:
BigEd,

Thanks for the updates and your work on the trail. Are the rest of the trails in the area open now?

What's the name of your club?

Cheers,

Your welcome,I like being a part of the maintainence and improvements of the trail.

All of the trails in the Shaver Lake area are now open.

I am a member of the Four Wheel Drive Club of Fresno. The club built the Dusy-Ershim trail from 1956-1968 and has been the "Adopt a trail" club for the trail ever since.

pismojim · Aug 25, 2011

Big Ed said:
The club built the Dusy-Ershim trail from 1956-1968

Nothing short of epic. Somewhere I read some historical accounts of the effort; very impressive (note the time given as a 12 year span)!

Props to Ed and the Four Wheel Drive Club of Fresno. :clap:

The vehicle way in the spring of 1956 was started out from badger flats, by the Four Wheel Drive Club of Fresno, the first summer Ershim Lake was reached. Then in 1957 Cabin Camp was reached. In 1958 all the vehicle ways on the forest were taken away from the people by the Forest Superintendent of the Sierra National Forest. In 1959 the Club regained part of the vehicle ways on the forest by writing their congressman. The Superintendent of the forest did take the vehicle way from badger flats to Ershim meandows and made it into a equestrian trial. At that time the club put in the vehicle way from the top of Kaiser pass by way of Lakecamp Lake on to Ershim Lake. In 1960 and 1961 the trail was take to Thompson Lake by way of Rodeo Meadow and Hot Spings Pass. Then in 1967 a trail was taken from Courtright Dam to the North end of Dusy Meadow. In 1968 the trail was taken on to Thompson Lake to make the longest way on the sierra national forest.

Big Ed · Aug 25, 2011

What you quoted comes from John Skadden. He joined the club in 1956 and is still active as he can be at his age,he was at the last meeting. He also helped us clear the trail two or three years at age 82. I got a lot of the clubs history from john on that trip and enjoyed his company.

Big Ed · Aug 25, 2011

edit: I left out the word "ago".

"he also helped us clear the trail two or three years ago at age 82"

Big Ed · Sep 2, 2011

Our club(Four Wheel Drive Club of Fresno)is now selling raffle tickets for a set of BFG tires up to 37". BFG gave all 4 clubs that were in the final vote a certificate to raffle off as the club sees fit. The winner will redeem the certificate for any size and style up to 37" and they will ship to your door. Tickets are $2 each and the drawing is October 11th,need not be present to win. This money will be used for basic club operating expenses,such as chain saw maintainence.

If you want some tickets,send the $2 per ticket to.

Ed Fitzpatrick
386 N Marion Ave
Fresno,Ca 93727

include name,address and phone number.

Make check payable to "Four Wheel Drive Club of Fresno"