28. February 2012 by Laurie Bryan.

The Celebration Park fun ride was cancelled over the weekend due to pending storms and high winds. Janine, being retired from the US Postal service, was not about to let a little rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of ominous winds stop her.  As for me, well, I guess I’m just stubborn. I’ve been called the “Hell or high water girl.” Once my mind is set on something, I’m going to do it come hell or high water. Janine and I loaded our animals, campers and a healthy dose of stubbornness, and headed to Jump Creek to try and get a ride in before the storm hit.

The plan was to meet at Jump Creek at noon on Friday. We would check out the area for the upcoming fun ride in March. Later, we would head for Celebration Park and camp for the night. If the weatherman happened to be wrong, we would ride Celebration Park on Saturday. Ride or not, it would give us both a chance to get the wrinkles ironed out of our campers before the upcoming projects season.

We parked in the large graveled area next to the trailhead designated for horseback riding. We chose a trail that looked like it might wind around toward scenic Jump Creek Falls. The trail was faint and almost non-existent in many spots, in others, it disappeared altogether. At times, neither Janine nor I could tell if we were actually on a trail. We opted to follow along a creek bottom that wound its way up a narrow gorge. The further we rode the more convinced we became that this might not be the best route for our group’s fun ride in March.  We turned around in search of a different route. We chose an ATV/jeep road that starts at the bottom of the sage covered hills just west from where we parked. The route looked more rider- friendly. Pointing our horses due west – we set out to explore this new course.

The road follows the lay of rolling hills that peak out at scenic vista’s and overlooks of ornate rock formations. The road splits off in several different directions. We split off left in hopes the trail would lead toward Jump Creek Falls. The route we took did indeed intersect a hiking trail that looped back to the falls. One particular spot in the trail did not look entirely kosher for horse traffic. We weren’t even sure if horses were allowed on this part of the trail. Deciding against the risk, we cut down the side of the mountain to avoid breaking any park rules or equine ankles.

Janine waited at the bottom while I continued to descend. Three-fourths of the way down my saddle had slipped enough forward that I was sitting entirely on my horse’s neck. I slid off and led the rest of the way down. Mental note to self: invest in crupper.

 We rode the horses to water at a spot accessible from within the camping area. On the way out, we noticed we were being filmed. The gentleman filmographer was quite taken by Janine’s paint horse, One Shot. I believe he was also quite taken by Janine as he made several efforts at small talk directed toward her as we made our way back to the trailers. As we began to un-tack, Janine’s personal paparazzi made his way over in a large, extended cab diesel.

 It turns out the retired DEA agent is an avid Everytrail.com subscriber and was putting together a U-tube film for the site. Whether it was Janine’s paint horse, or Janine herself that caught his eye – he did provide invaluable input into the surrounding area for our fun ride in March. Had we continued straight instead of forking off to the left, we would have ended up in an area called Sands Basin, an area inhabited by a small band of mustangs.

Next stop: Celebration Park. An easy 35 mile drive from Jump Creek put us at Celebration Park. We circled our trailers around an existing fire-ring in an attempt to create a wind block. With two horses and a mule high-lined between us, we called it a night. Mother Nature, however, was just getting started.

Fierce winds blew away any hope of riding the next morning. Over a quick cup of coffee for Janine and tea for me, we discussed the best route to take the group on the March fun ride. It makes the most sense to stay on the road toward Sands Basin. The road is well marked and looks to be safe regardless of the weather. I also like the rolling terrain for spring fresh horses that might need something else to think about besides acting like they haven’t been ridden since last summer.

I bade farewell to Janine and headed for home. Other than trying to keep from being blown off the freeway, it was a great weekend. I think the group will enjoy the area.

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26. February 2012 by Laurie Bryan.

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25. February 2012 by Rob Adams.

Wild Riders is a partnership between the Back Country Horsemen of America and The Wilderness Society to “insure that traditional, historical and responsible pack and saddle stock use in wilderness areas is recognized, protected, supported and sustained consistent with the capabilities of the land.” We believe that trails are a critical way to connect Americans to the outdoors and to insure our wild heritage remains cherished and protected.

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25. February 2012 by Rob Adams.

The Idaho Forest Restoration Partnership connects, informs, and supports collaborative groups working to restore the resilience of Idaho forests.  The Partnership is a coalition of six 501(3)(c) organizations; SAF Snake River Chapter serves as fiscal agent.

The partnership was formed to help strengthen collaborative forest restoration efforts across Idaho.  The partners have agreed to support four principles in a common vision for our forests:

1.In Idaho’s forests, strategic forest restoration is essential to address the current challenges posed by uncharacteristic wildfire, insects, disease and climate change.

2.Active management is needed in some areas of public forests to restore their resiliency.

3.A healthy forest industry is an important and necessary part of a restoration strategy to offset restoration costs and to provide jobs and economic stability in rural communities throughout Idaho.

4.Collaborative groups can provide useful advice and recommendations on forest restoration projects, through cooperation between citizens, including interest groups, elected officials, and pubic land managers

Boise Forest  Coalition & Payette Forest Coalition both accomplished a lot in 2011 and are forming working groups for 2012.

Boise NF  Map  2011 recommendations,  2012 collaboration team forming

Payette NF  2010 recommendations,  2011 recommendations

Bob Rainville, 

Mediator and Facilitator Boise Forest

rrainville1015@gmail.com

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22. February 2012 by Rob Adams.

In recognition of his efforts, the U.S. Forest Service has named Joe Starr its national individual volunteer of the year - as well as its individual volunteer of the year on Region 6, which covers Oregon and Washington.  Jennifer Velez, a spokesperson with the Willamette National Forest, said that Starr recently was honored for his Region 6 contributions at Willamette’s Sweet Home Ranger Station. Plans still are in the works for his national recognition award ceremony.  Read the rest of the story.

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20. February 2012 by Chris Holt.

Texting while riding can’t be safe, read Bob Goddard “Last Laugh” piece on the growing trend in Horse Link Magazine Jan-Feb Issue.  In the same issue Julie Goodnight has a piece on safely backing your horse out of your trailer.

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14. February 2012 by Laurie Bryan.

 ~ Mini-Pack Clinic ~

For the complete story, click here.

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8. February 2012 by Robbin Schindele.

Idaho Environmental Forum #189 resents a special President’s Day luncheon with U.S. Senator Mike Crapo and his special guest, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Tom Tidwell. For details

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8. February 2012 by Laurie Bryan.

You only have 2 weeks (February 21st, 2012) left to reserve your room at the Convention Special Rate of $79.00 + tax.

After that, room rates are $119.99 - 149.99 +tax.

You can make go ahead and make your reservations now and if you need to cancel, do so 24hrs before your arrival date and there will be no charge.

Reserve your room NOW!    (800) 251-7829

Convention details - Everything you want to know

Click here for registration form

Deborah Samovar

BCHI Convention Committee

9176 E Soaring Hawk Lane

St Maries, ID 83861 

208-245-3041

dsamovar@gmail.com

www.BCHI.org

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4. February 2012 by Robbin Schindele.

Should BCHI continue to support?

Raenette Didier
BCHI Secretary

From: Adam Rissien <arissien@wildlandscpr.org
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:24:41 -0700
Subject: Legacy Roads & Trails Support Letter

Greetings BCHI Members

I am writing about a key Forest Service program for which we advocate, the Legacy Roads & Trails Remediation program that provides important funding for the maintenance and improvement of roads and trails, as well as helping address watershed impacts from problem roads.

Last year Phil Ryan signed Backcountry Horsemen onto a letter sent to the Idaho Congressional delegation asking for specific appropriations for the Legacy program, (see attached) and I am writing in hopes that you can sign onto this year’s letter, which will be ready in early February.

Also attached is a fact sheet that gives a brief explanation of the program and its accomplishments.

We hope to submit the letter in early March, and I wanted to allow enough time for your consideration.

Please let me know if I can send you the letter, or answer any  questions you may have.

Thank you,

Adam Rissien, Policy Specialist
Wildlands CPR
PO Box 7516
Missoula, MT 59807
(406) 543-9551
www.wildlandscpr.org

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