Tony, although I primarily lurk on mud I feel I need to comment here on this. My understanding based on speaking to Forest Service while wheeling the trials in my backyard here in Fresno (including Duesy/Ershim) is that there is a 20' easment on either side of the trail CENTERLINE for vehicle passage. On Dusey/Ershim specifically no camping/driving/parking within 100' of the water is allowed. Period. This is again from Forest Service that patrol these areas. On Trail-Gears website it shows the TG crew CAMPING with their tents and vehicles within what appears to be about 2-vehicle lengths of the waters edge.
link to TG website with camping pics. note this is on their sites main page.
http://www.trail-gear.com/events/2006-dusy/2006dusy.html
Fresno 4WD Club spent tons of man hours opening this trail this year clearing over 50 downed trees, burning up several winches not to mention fuel, food, wear and tear on rigs, chainsaws etc just so we could have the privilage to wheel this trail. Actions such as these WILL get this trail shut down. Although not as famous/commercial as the Rubicon it is still under alot of fire. Every year its a fight to get it opened for another year.
For a company that sells to the 4x4 community to brag/post on their website showing total disregards to the law and their carefree attitude and canned responses to people who question them is insane.
At what point DO ethics, morals, doing what is right because-it-is-right even when no-one is looking, become worth fighting for? When it pays? When a vendor/person in question dosent pay? What about the websites that support such groups?
Once upon a time people did the right thing because it was right no matter what the cost. Honor, integrity, moral values and a mans name meant more than money. Sad that today's world no longer embraces that philosophy.
There are those of us that do not approve of TG's business practices. Now there are those of us who do not approve of TG's wheeling practices. Arent those opinions to count for something? What is wrong with voiceing an opinion about something that is wrong BECAUSE it is wrong? What if the group/rig in question was sponsord by Red Bull? Would it still be a vendetta?
Whats the difference?
chris
