Sunday, August 9, 2009

What a wonderful day starting at 7:30 a.m. from Paso Robles, heading to the back side of Santa Margarita Lake.  Bill Chaides, Nancy Kimmell, and Carolina White tacked up their horses and started on the trail around 9:00 a.m.  Several other members of BCHC - Lp unit were there, also getting ready for a gorgeous ride.  They were Kaye Bruns and Kris Pimental - from Antelope Valley BCHC - associate members of our unit - Diane Kellebrew, and a co-worker of Kris', Karen Tacket.  The water at Santa Margarita is extremely low with water only on the "Blim Trail" crossing.  The creek that feeds the lake is also totally dry.  Bill, Nancy and Carolina rode to the dead end of the road/trail stopping at the dam's closed gate.  On our ride in, one would have thought you were in a North American Game Safari.  The normal California Buzzards circled overhead and, of course, the pesky ground squirrels scurried about.  An occasional cottontail rabbit and many covey of mountain quail flew out of the bushes as we rode by.  What took our breath away was how calm the deer were, not running away as we rode by.  Further up the trail was a flock of about 20 turkeys crossing the trail and scurrying up the hillside.  A forked horn deer followed by an adult doe deer also crossed the road following the turkeys.

As we rounded a corner, on the trail was a cute Black Bear cub weighing only about 50 lbs.  the cub was walking towards us with its head down and reached within about 40 feet of our position.  We had stopped as the little guy was walking.  Unaware of our position, I yelled out to get his attention.  The cub became startled, turned and ran up a hill side out of sight.  Well, we all started looking around for its "mama".  About another half mile up the trail was another bear cub, somewhat smaller only about 30 lbs, near the lake water's edge, getting a drink of water.  This brought our attention to the lake's edge where we discovered an adult Bald Eagle tearing up some sort of meal.  We reached the end of the road at the closed gate to observe the lake's dam and water the horses.  On our return back the same bear cub that was at the water's edge was now on the road walking in the same direction as we were traveling.  We stopped closer with the cub oblivious to our presence.  We continued walking slowly on the trail.  I think the cub must of felt the vibration of the horses hooves on the ground leisurely turning to look and then abruptly running off, scurrying up a large oak tree.  When the cub reached a yoke in the tree about 25 feet up, it stopped to watch us ride by.  We continued back on the road past the horse camp trail to an area safe for crossing the dry lake bottom.  We crossed over to the South trail for our return back to the staging area.  On our way back, we had encountered some Snowy Egrets and Gray Herons in the creek bottom.

We ended our afternoon at the Pozo Saloon for relaxation with food and drink, seeing Kaye, Kris, Diane and Karen there also.

What a nice day - Bill Chaides

Little Bear Cub  Cub up tree     Bear in Yoke

Horse for Sale:

HOT ROCK BUENO "ROCKY"

Born 1995 AQHA Seal Brown Poco Bueno Bred.  Finished ranch horse that will watch a cow.  You can also rope outside on him.  Very quiet. 100% Sound.  Great on Trails.  Up to date on shots.  Easy Keeper.  Trailers well.  15.1 Hands 1200 lbs.  $5000.00 (805) 239-8897 Kris

Posted 1/11/2010

Did you know that the Backcountry Horsemen organization was originally started in 1981 by packers in the Westside Sierras, Little Kern California?  They wanted to form a horse related association that could meet with the forest and park government agencies.

This group evolved to the present form of Backcountry Horsemen.

The Los Padres Forest ranges from the Carmel Valley in Monterey County and stretches South near Lake Piru in Ventura County.  It covers nearly 220 miles in length and consists of about 2-million acres.  In the Southeast, near the Kern/Ventura county lines and within the Chumash Wilderness, Mt. Pinos reaches 8831 feet.  In the Ventana Wilderness, South of Carmel Valley at Junipero Serra Peak the elevation reaches about 5700 feet.  The entire forest provides many opportunities for vehicle access to campgrounds and trails. In the backcountry/wilderness areas, any form of mechanical intrusion, i.e.: chain saws, bicycles or any type of power equipment is prohibited.  Introduce yourself to the “misery whip” a manual handheld cross cut saw. 

The Los Padres Forest stretches through the counties of Kern, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Monterey.

Always check with your local Forest Ranger District prior to venturing into the forest and to check for current regulations and restrictions. Get a map and check out the 10 local wilderness areas. Ventana, Silver Peak, Santa Lucia, Garcia, Machesna, San Rafael, Dick Smith, Chumash, Matilija and the Sespe.

Remember:  GU / LNT principles and only leave foot or hoof prints.
Bill Chaides

updated 1/11/2010

Attention “WORK PARTIES” 2010

On Wednesday, January 06, 2010, Backcountry Horsemen of California - Los Padres Unit held their first work party for the new year.  Bill Chaides and Paxton Pembroke assisted San Luis Obispo County Parks Department Ranger Jeramy Lowe at Santa Margarita Lake Park by transporting additional horse panels to the lake shore of "KHUS CAMP" (horse camp).  Additionally five tree branches were cut by use of chain saw and removed trail obstruction leading to "SAPUI CAMP" (Boy Scout Camp area).

On Saturday, January 10, 2010, Backcountry Horsemen of California - Los Padres Unit held their first "group" work party.  We met ready to ride at 10:00 a.m., at the back side of Santa Margarita Lake.  Participants included Bill Chaides, Cory Pereira, Joni Lewis, Our Honorable President, Dave Rigoli, Mindy Rigoli and Rich Waller.  Our group was further assisted by members, Bob Brewer, Becca Brewer, and Jody Smith, for a total of 9 people, totaling 53 hours of work and travel time for all people.  Our group rode 9 horses to the horse camp and then set up to carry horse panels from the lake shore where they were left on January 6, 2010.  The panels were set up at a new location consisting of three connected paddocks separated by 10 feet of open space to a double paddock with an additional single paddock set off to the side.  Six enclosed paddocks in total.

The new area allows for electric fence containment to provide equine peace and avoid separation anxieties.  The lake is extremely low and at this time does not allow the horse water to operate through the hand pump functional.  Horse water is available near the start of the trails from the staging area at the creek crossings.  Water may be carried by hand from the lake up to the horses.  It is extremely imperative that no one walks their horse to the lake's edge.  The mud is soft and deep.  Take care of your equine partner.  We will plan a weekend campout at Santa Margarita Lake Horse Camp some time later this year.  In the meantime, go visit the area.

Bill Chaides - Your new Vice President and Programs Director

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posted 1/11/2010

On Saturday, February 13, 2010, another work party proceeded to Little Falls Trail Area from Hi Mountain Road.  The work party consisted of myself, Everette Lambert, Rich Waller, Sid Springer, Jake Rosenak, Roma Vaicius, Sandy Obermeyer, Joni Lewis, and Cleis Slezak.  We continued to about 2 miles up stream from Upper Lopez Canyon Road.  We reconstructed the trail where a landslide had obliterated the trail above a 30 foot vertical cliff.  We retreaded about 25 feet of trail 2 ½ feet wide to provide safer passage for equestrian travel.  The bolder creek crossing was evaluated for another work party date.

Bill Chaides - Your new Vice President and Programs Director

posted 3/6/2010