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Post by broncocraigellis on Dec 19, 2007 1:15:15 GMT -5
The U.S.F.S. has restricted access to the Upper Tellico OHV Area. Here are the provisions:
1. A one-year closure of Lower Trail 2 (from the intersection with Road 420 west to Road 402), Trail 7, a portion of Trail 8 (from the intersection with Trail 9 to the intersection with Trail 10A), and Trail 9 in the Upper Tellico OHV area which prohibits operating motor vehicles on these trails during the closure period and sets penalties for violating the provisions of this Order.
2. A seasonal closure of the Upper Tellico OHV Area which prohibits operating motor vehicles on trails within the Area during the period between January 1 and March 31 each year and sets penalties for violating the provisions of this Order.
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Post by JWP on Dec 19, 2007 11:12:57 GMT -5
When I was in Tellico, the guy at Crawford's said that he was confident that they would end up closing Lower 2 and Trail 7 due to the fact that there was no way to use those trails and not cause erosion to enter key waterways. Erosion is the Feds key concerns mainly because the coalition to trout fish is bigger than the coalition to offroad. The one year closure will probably be permenant.
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Post by davidscj7 on Dec 19, 2007 17:09:09 GMT -5
I'm sure glad we went up there during Thanksgiving. It will probably be the last time we have the opportunity to run the entire trail system.
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Post by broncocraigellis on Dec 19, 2007 21:21:19 GMT -5
I think they'll open back up at some point. Even if erosion naturally occurs on Peckerwood Connector, Rock Garden, and Slickrock, the increased traffic in recent years must have contributed to the problem. Seems like Trout Unlimited would have cried fowl a long time ago if the levels were high enough in previous years. Since I began going up there in 2000, Slickrock and Lower 2 have become almost unrecognizable. They're probably twice as wide in places and many of the BIG rocks have been pulled out of the way. I don't believe that is a good thing. Many who participate in our hobby just do not understand responsible land use (i.e.- discarding beer cans, garbage, paper tulips, and disregarding basic Tread Lightly principles on the trail).
I haven't been since Aug. 2005, and I hate that it's going to be a lot longer before I can go back. However, if this temporary closure ensures that the OHV area will stay open in the future, I have no complaints. If not, I'm thankful for the 7 or 8 times I've been to Tellico.
Soapbox talk over - this stuff gets my blood flowing. I popped my 'wheeling cherry at Tellico.
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Post by jeepchipjones on Dec 20, 2007 16:08:44 GMT -5
Yeah, Tellico is a special place for sure and will be a great loss if it does close for good.
Hey Craig, remember the time I talked you into coming up there right after you got the new paint job on the bronco? HA HA, good times! I thought for sure when you picked up that rock, that you were going to hurl it straight through the window. But you did the right thing, turned around, and took your anger out on an unexpecting tree. That was a good trip... of course, Ive never had a bad wheeling trip at Tellico.
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Post by broncocraigellis on Dec 25, 2007 0:13:57 GMT -5
Yep, yep, I remember that very well. I also remember coming home, fixing the dent, and repainting the quarter panel  No worries. That was a good trip. |
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Post by jeepchipjones on Feb 29, 2008 13:41:20 GMT -5
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