Newsletter, April, 1997 By Paul Chourre It is indeed amazing to me how time works it wonders as we go through life. I was never to know, when I was a freckled faced kid in my blue shirt and yellow kerchief around my neck, how important this summer camp we called Tamarancho would become to me. Like many of us, I spent a grand childhood growing up in Marin, cruising Varsity's and Stangray's and gad, was my first fat tire way up in the air. There wasn't much to worry about back then, although my parents certainly wouldn't agree with that; but there was definitely a freedom that doesn't exist for kids today. Though the sixties and early sevenffes provided lots of divergence for really being serious about anything, I pretty much stuck with riding on the trails I had grown up to cherish, and didn't give much thought to ever not being out there, this was where I lived. But as time would have it, the grand days of Repack and freedom to roam came to a halt. I put my head down and stuck to the fire roads and let my love for singletrack go dormant, while I dealt with life and the pursuit of a living. Then one day, the parent of one of my son's classmates noticed I had a bike and asked me if I ever rode any single track. After lamentang the above history lesson, he invited me to join him and some friends that next Sunday for a ride. Well, it was off to the Scout Camp about two months after the completion of Wagon Wheel, and I couldn't believe what I felt that day. The sleeping giant of a desire to ride on trails resumed as a rebirth of life and a retum to the freedom I had once lived. The passion for single track was bom again, and I was in love with the trail. Rumor of the Marin County Open Space District (MCOSD) purchase of the parcel joining the Cascade Canyon Preserve and the Loma Alta Preserve, which would include the Wagon Wheel trail was soon put to fact. This time there would be no lowering of the head. I wanted to do what I could to help those that had put so much tame and effort into the planning and construction of the trail that I was now riding. Through a non-profit board on which I serve, I had occasion to meet Supervisor Hal Brown at a fund-raiser, which he had graciously sponsored. A discussion ensued at my inquiry into the proposed MCOSD purchase. As a result of this discussion, Hal had agreed to find out more about the purchase and what was going to be done about the existing trail. A subsequent meeting between myself, Abby Minot of the BTC, and Hal Brown, emphasized the fact that there would have to be some kind of determination for use of the trail once it became part of the MCOSD preserve. We agreed that seeing the trail first hand would be the best way to get a complete understanding of the beauty, quality and importance of this trail to the cycling community. We met on a Sunday and walked a portion of the trail from the Serpentine end and observed construction techniques and other qualities of the trail. The Head Ranger for the Scout Camp also entered into the dialogue emphasizing the community spirit that the trail represented. Hal came to realize that there was a certain justafication that goes with the proprietorship of the trail which the cyclists had built. Hal Brown called a spedal session of the MCOSD Trails Committee to get a feel for their view of the use issue. The public was invited to voice their concerns. Although there was great concem for many issues ranging from liability to the perceived "spill over" of cyclists into surrounding jurisdictions, a general consensus prevailed that this trail had been built with permission of the owners by volunteer labor and there was a certain justice in continued use that the staff agreed with. Discussion of the extent of the "multiple use" concept and what it would take to accommodate all three user groups led to topics of widening and line of sight issues. The public was given a chance to voice concerns over continued bicycle use on the trail and several emotional opirlions were voiced as to the impact of residents in the Cascade area and the perceived incompatibility of hikers and bikers. The result was formulated into a recommendation to Parks, Open Space and Cultural Commission, which was ratified at the next County Trails Committee meeting. This recommendation basically stated that the trail be open to bicyclists and hikers with horses prohibited or discouraged. The trail would be widened up to 4 feet where practical, considering environmental and site restraints. Bicyclists should be required to yield to all other users and the Bicycle Trails Council and cyclists in general would "police their own" to ensure compliance. It was also noted that races would not be allowed on the trail. The committee stated that this was not a change in the current District policy of bicycles on trails, since this would be a "new" acquisition. Stipulations such as continued review of the impact of cyclists on the trail and the Boards right to change policy should significant problems arise were also included in the recommendation. This recommendataon went before the Parks, Open Space and Cultural Commission that afternoon amid more public concern and testimony both for and against the use of the trail as put forth. The Commission voted unanimously to adopt the recommendation as part of the purchase agreement. The issued then moved on to a vote by the Board of Supervisors whether or not to approve the purchase of the 270 acres by the MCOSD. At the Supervisor's Board Meeting, the Trails Committee's recommendation was modified to eliminate the widening issue until such time that an Environmental Assessment is done. After more impassioned rhetoric from all sides, the Board unanimously approved the purchase and accepted the Trails Committee's recommendations. Hal Brown noted that this is an acquiescence to meet some sort of a middle ground, that there has never been a partnership with all users. He wants this to be a positive step and he hopes everyone will make a strong legitimate attempt to obey all the laws and be a strong member of the community. So the road continues to wind. This was a definite milestone and perhaps a building block to further legal access to single track through cooperative involvement with other user groups and land management agencies. This trail will be closely watched, and in the word of lean Berensmeier, Chairperson of the Trails Committee, "this is your trail to loose if things don't work out." It is time to grasp this opportunity, to demonstrate to the community that we are capable of sharing trails and put the myth of non-compatibility to rest with fact and example. Follow the Rules of the Trail, they are our key to further access. Let's show them who has been right all this time. Many thanks to all the volunteers who have done work at Tamarancho this season. Special thanks to Tad lacobs, of Tree Masters, who donated recycled redwood trees for retaining walls along the trail. The end results are, quite frankly, fabulous! Unfortunately, trail work has been temporarily stopped at Tamarancho due to administrative dificulties. The Boy Scouts are in the process of amending the bylaws for the "Friends of Tamarancho", and wanted this project completed before trail work resumes. Remember, Tamarancho Boy Scout Camp is private property. You must obtain a pass and become a "Friend of Tamarancho" prior to riding up there. The pass costs $25 a year, and is available at the Boy Scout's headquarters 225 West End Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901. For details on becoming a friend of Tamarancho call (415) 4541081. Let's not abuse this privilege. Become a "Friend" today. Stay posted for when trail work will resume. ©1997 Bicycle Trails Council of Marin |
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