Come and enjoy the splendor of this fabulous camp and nearby trail. If you’ve never been here before this is an opportunity to check it out either overnight with your horse or drive in for the day without stock. It would be to your advantage to RSVP to me (Kris) so we can have an idea of how many campsites we’ll need. If there is enough interest, we can do a potluck dinner Saturday night.
August 5 – Joyce Daze Parade, Joyce WA
BCHW has an entry in the Joyce Daze parade which starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday 8/5. This is a combined entry for the Buckhorn Range, Peninsula and My. Olympus chapters.
If you are interested in participating with us please contact Judy Sarles please email or text Judy Sarles (email: jw94507@yahoo.com, cell: 925-984-9654). More specifics about the location and logistics will be sent out by 8/1/23
August 6 – Chapter Board Meeting & BBQ
This is a great opportunity to experience how the Board operates. It’ll be formatted so that you can listen to the discussions and then ask questions or make a comment. (Yup, learn how the sausage is made.) Following the Board meeting, we’ll get down to the real business of enjoying ourselves. The BBQ will be partially chapter sponsored items along with potluck offerings. – Our host is Judy Sarles who has a lovely home and property between Sequim and Port Angeles. – Watch for more info in July. RSVP will be required. – Buckhorn Range Chapter members only.
August 11-13 – Jefferson County Fair
We had so much fun having an information booth last year that we’re going to do it again. We’ll need volunteers to help set-up, staff the booth and tear down. Kim Merrick will be sending out more info as it gets closer.
TRAIL CREW NOTES 5/19 – 5/20/23 Location: Lower and Upper S. Fork Skokomish, ONF Hours: 116
Crew members
Rebecca Wanagel Bob Hoyle Martin Knowles Paul Kamps Bernt Ericsen Jim Hollatz Donna Hollatz Rick King Suzanne King
Packers
Harold and Pat Wiese (Magic, Archie, Sugar, Belle)
This was the annual regional work party for sprucing up the LeBar Horse Campground as well as the surrounding trails. WTA had done a significant amount of excellent work on the Lower Skok, but there were still some stock blocking logs to clear and bridge railings to fix. There was also clearing necessary on the upper part of the Lower Skok, as well as the first mile of the Upper S. Fork Skok. And brushing … there is always brushing to do!
Like last year, the last logs we needed to remove on the lower part of the Lower Skok were all the way to the Church Creek ford (or nearly there). That’s a long way from the highest access point, the 100 road. Thus, why we were exceedingly glad that Harold had brought the saw packing decks, even though I had told him we wouldn’t be needing stock support. How wrong I was. We have carried saws and equipment for that stretch before, and do not desire to do it again. Archie took the tools, Magic had Pat and Harold rode Sugar. Belle was along for training and desensitizing. She can be a bit skittish still, but boy oh boy is she pretty.
There was a lot of work done in the campground too, but I can only speak to the trails. Except for one thing. Last year’s storm brought down a big mess on that very short connector trail that goes essentially between the gazebo and the road. Martin and I had time to kill before the 8:00 Sunday breakfast so we got out there to get rid of that mess. Sandy came out to help and we discovered she’s a great saw assistant!So many thanks to the cooks led by Kim for dinner, and Bob’s yummy eggs for breakfast! Those meals are for sure something to look forward to. It’s amazing to come back after a long, hard day of trail work to such an incredible meal. Many thanks to Bob Hoyle for the mind-blowing amount of work he put in to make this weekend happen. Including bringing his bike so he could scout the full trail on Friday – that’s how we found out there were still some stock blocking trees up there.
Honestly, how many people do you know who can pull this off? With very short notice, Jim looked at pictures of the railings that were broken in last year’s storms, figured out the material and tools he needed, obtained the materials, loaded the tools and supplies and the tote … manuevered that fully loaded tote over rocks and roots and up and down hills and across small streams. Oh … and then fixed the railings. Rick was his amazing assistant in all this – even putting together temporary “bridges” so the tote could go across streams, and the two of them together were able to right the loaded tote after it tipped. More than once, so I hear. The two of them did a fabulous job on the railings. See below.
Sorry, no pictures of rick. He obviously was the one behind the camera but I know this incredible work is his doing too.
For those of you who don’t know, last season in december of 2021, a massive snow and wind storm hit the shelton area. It blew down an awe-inspiring number of trees that were in severe stress from the june ’21 heat dome. We had many saw crews working there to free the skok trail from the grasp of many hundreds of downed trees. These bridge railings were part of the casualty but we could barely get through all the trees and most certainly didn’t have time to fix the railings too. That’s why they got done this year.
An example of some of the damage.
All better!
Brushing is a constant, never-ending need on this trail but rarely gets tended. Donna and suzanne worked as a brushing crew and got the first ¾ mile of the 140 road free from encroaching alders and maples. Really important for the longevity of the trail.
Meet belle. She is super cute. She is working on learning to be calmer around people and activity.
I really enjoyed finally being out on the trail with pat too! Magic is really her baby, but I’ve always only seen harold on magic. Magic is such a strong leader. Calm, strong, smart and experienced. I found out magic is 24 and they’ve had him since he was only six months old.
This was one side of a stock blocking tree we had to clear.
The other end. Bound between two trees and suspended.
Bernt and Paul were their own team, working on the upper part of the lower skok and the lower part of the upper skok. That is really fun to say. The upper skok is the one that heads up into the onp and to sundown pass, sundown lake and six ridge trail (which connects to the north fork skok). Gorgeous country up there.
Due to the height of the trees (too low for stock but too high to cut), we had to clear out a bunch of stuff and cut from up on the hillside to release it. Sorry, I don’t have an after picture, but it is cleared to stock standards now.
Paul getting ready to work on clearing the stock ford at rule creek (upper skok). They cleared the first mile of the upper skok, to where the big “natural” footlog is. Rule creek is right before that and has had its stock ford blocked for a long time.
Brought to you by Buckhorn Range Chapters Equine Emergency Preparedness Committee
A windy but beautiful day greeted chapter members, along with two representatives from East Jefferson County Fire and Rescue and Dave Codier from Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management.
We were hosted at Paradigm Sporthorse Training by Becky Cushman and Mike Piero. We learned about important considerations in preparing for a potential emergency which might require relocating with stock. Trailer safety fundamentals were also discussed. Four horses and their owners practiced loading into different trailers. Dave Codier, who said he had never even led a horse, successfully loaded Becky’s horse, Belle! Thank you to Kim and Pat for serving us a yummy lunch. This awesome event happened because of the efforts of Judy and Amy who did an outstanding job. Bravo!
Bob Hoyle pictured here with BCHW President, Dana Chambers
BCHW LOPPER AWARD 2023
Rendezvous was held at the Kittitas Valley Event Center in Ellensburg on March 17-19, 2023 This award is for a BCHW member who has demonstrated outstanding commitment and dedication to their chapter or to BCHW by participation and promotion of what the BCHW Mission Statement stands for. This is kind of an “all around” award, with the nominee being active in several different aspects of the many things that make up BCHW.
His dedication to our chapter and BCHW as a whole are greatly appreciated. Thank you, Bob!
Brought to you by your Emergency Equine Preparedness Committee (EEP) Mentors and Location: Becky Cushman & Mike Piero, at Paradigm Sport HorseTraining 1710 South Jacob Miller Road Port Townsend, WA
One of the key steps in preparing for evacuation emergencies is to ensure your horse loads in a trailer. The optimal situation is for your horse (or horses) to be loaded by you in the trailer with which they are familiar. But in an emergency, that is not always the case.
Knowing your horses will load in an unfamiliar trailer, by an unfamiliar person in an emergency is not guaranteed. The EEP committee is arranging a day to provide an opportunity for members to audit the demo of handlers loading in unfamiliar trailers, potentially by other members, as an opportunity to identify holes in the horse’s (and handlers own) training.
NOTE: To audit this EEP Trailer Safety Loading Event, you must be a Buckhorn Range Chapter Member.
Agenda for the Event:
Intro To Trailer Safety and basics of loading in an emergency
Loading/unloading in unfamiliar situations
Break and debrief post exercise
There will be 3 different trailers set up in the closed stable yard (slant vs straight load, stock vs closed in, etc..). Depending on the level of experience of the horse and Chapter member, our mentors will walk through Trailer Safety differences to consider, then allow practice to each person’s comfort zone. Becky and Mike between them have years of professional trailering / hauling experience, and we welcome their mentorship.
The goal is for each participant to walk away with information on how they can better understand the gaps they need to work on for themselves and their horse. Safety will be a priority. Trailer safety checks and regularly loading and unloading your horse from your trailer is sensible good practice, and invaluable in uncertain events!
Limiting this event to Buckhorn Range Chapter members not for liability purposes but to offer a unique learning opportunity to Buckhorn Range members only.
All attendees must be active BCHWmembersfrom the Buckhorn Range Chapter.
Back Country Horseman of Washington Buckhorn Range Chapter hosts the Regional Work Party at Olympic National Forest at LEBAR HORSE CAMP & LOWER S. FORK SKOKOMISH RIVER TRAIL
Campsites reserved Friday-Sunday and assigned at check-in. There are 13 sites at LeBar as well as dispersed camping nearby. Brown Creek campground nearby has 12 sites + 8 tent-only sites.
SATURDAY EVENING MEAL and SUNDAY BREAKFAST PROVIDED
Bring Water – LeBar is a dry camp For more info contact: Bob Hoyle: 360-531-2337 Email: bobhoyle@usa.net
We need volunteers for camp and trail work. Tasks include: brushing/swamping , blowdown removal (sawyers needed!) and cleanup of campground/sites. Something for everyone! Bring gloves, appropriate attire. Tools, PPE’s provided (Sawyers need to bring their own saw/PPE)
If you bring stock be aware that the trail may not be open for riding yet, and there will be a lot of activity in camp with power equipment running (line trimmers/blowers, saws).
Mark your calendar for Friday, October 14th, 7PM, TriArea Community Center
We have a great program to offer about Equine Emergency Preparedness (EEP). Chief Brett Black of East Jefferson County Fire Department will present about fire prevention and awareness for stock owners. This is open to all members and guests. This will include information on the Fire Department’s role in responding to wildfires, earthquakes, and other disasters that could require evacuation. He will also discuss the concept of YOYO, Your Are On Your Own, and the need for each individual to be prepared and take responsibility for prevention and preparedness. He will discuss Shelter in Place and how to be prepared for that. It is a great opportunity to ask any questions about these issues to someone who has been intricately involved in wildfires in California such as the big Paradise fire. His experience and insight are invaluable and we are very thankful he is taking the time to join us.
A short business meeting will follow Chief Black’s presentation.
The drive south on US Highway 101 along the Hood Canal gave us a forewarning of what lay ahead. For 50 miles there were downed powerlines and poles, trees and massive amounts of debris piled along the sides of the road. The date was Saturday, February 26th and Buckhorn Range chapter President Kris Lenke and I were on our way to a field trip to the High Steel Bridge and Vance Creek Bridge, organized by Lori Lennox of Grays Harbor Chapter. What we were seeing was the aftermath of a heavy wet snowstorm that hammered the east side of the Olympic Peninsula on Christmas Day. 101 was closed from Hwy. 104 to Hoodsport and power was knocked out for 6 days.
After visiting the bridges, Traci Koch of Oakland Bay chapter suggested we see if we could get to LeBar Horse Camp as planned, about 10 miles further up FS Road 23. After going less than a mile the road became a tunnel through the downed trees, carved out by the firewood permit holders who had been working the road. With barely enough room to squeeze through, 3 SUVs and a pickup truck slowly picked our way through and over the logs, snow and debris, finally making it to the bridges over the Skokomish River and LeBar Creek and the Lower S. Fork Skokomish R. Trailhead. The firewood cutters had gone no further, and our journey ended half a mile from LeBar Horse Camp. https://photos.app.goo.gl/GtC3fSSVJt4X1fJ38
Seeing all this devastation, Lori suggested the idea of a regional sawyer recertification/work party to try to clear the road in advance of what was obviously going to be a very busy season of logging out trails. I sent an email the next day to Jai Lust, Wilderness and Trails Coordinator of Olympic National Forest and Rebecca Wanagel, long-time WTA (WA Trails Association) Crew Leader and newly appointed Trail Crew leader of Peninsula chapter – BCHW. Rebecca took the reins in her teeth and organized a crew of WTA sawyers who, along with Kris Lenke and me, headed up to tackle the mess on Saturday March 26th. We discovered a contractor already at work on the road (Yay!) and proceeded to clear trail. We worked to open the LeBar access trail, the 120 access trail, and the Lower S. Fork Skok trail #873 to the top of the switchbacks. In the meantime, Rebecca recertified me as a B-level sawyer. A WTA crosscut crew had already opened the main trail from the lower TH the week before. https://photos.app.goo.gl/xAxpXUbNBxRHLphG9
On April 26th Rebecca, Jai and I made a scouting trip to the area in advance of the BCHW Regional work party scheduled for May 20-22nd at LeBar Horse Camp, and we estimated that there were hundreds of trees down on the 140 spur trail (1.4 miles) alone. (I made another scout trip upriver on May 7th to Camp Comfort and the 100 spur trail where I encountered even more devastation (200+ trees/mile)). Based on what we saw, Rebecca scheduled another WTA/BCHW joint WP for May 14/15th. They cleared the 140 trail and 2/3 of the 100 trail that weekend in torrential rain. Members of the Mountaineers also joined in to provide swamping.
The Regional BCHW work party began Friday May 20th to clean up LeBar Horse Camp and finish logging out the Skok trail as far as the 100. Rebecca ran the sawyer crews made up of WTA sawyers Martin Knowles, Tom Griffith, Tien Vo, Bernt Ericsen, and Paul Hornberger. Peninsula chapter sawyers Jim Hollatz and Rick King, with Suzanne King and Kris Lenke swamping. Harold Weise of Olympic chapter provided pack support for the sawyer crews while Larry Sammons of Buckhorn and I demolished and removed the old rotting roof from the vault toilet in camp in preparation for the new roof.
On Saturday the trail work continued, with sawyers Traci and Wayne Koch from Oakland Bay chapter joining the party. Larry and I worked on extending the highline poles to raise them higher in sites 3 and 8 while Peninsula chapter members Theresa Percy and Stephanie Burns and friend Dean joined Kris who worked all day to clean up campsites, while Peninsula members Linda Morin and Judy Sarles helped Dutch Oven Queen (and Buckhorn Secretary) Kim Merrick make and serve everyone a delicious dinner!
Dutch Oven Queen Kim serves dessert to Martin Knowles – WTA and Larry Sammons – Buckhorn
On Sunday the mighty sawyers completed the last difficult mile of trail, which opened about 6 miles of main trail and 3 miles of spur trails, making 3 possible loops of riding using FS road 2353 to return.https://photos.app.goo.gl/9KvYYDhDHsYtbCxV6
“Toothpick” (Paul Hornberger) watches on as Bernt Ericsen (WTA sawyers) makes a cut
Another work party has been scheduled by Rebecca to continue logging out the trail upriver to the ford at Church Creek and beyond, eventually opening the entire 12.5-mile trail to the upper TH parking lot and the Upper Skok trail. Other WTA crew leaders have several trips planned to get this trail back up to snuff.
I want to thank everyone who pulled together and worked so hard to accomplish all that we did over the last 2+ months and apologize to anyone I may have left out. The collaboration between Backcountry Horsemen, WTA and the Mountaineers was truly inspiring. I especially want to acknowledge Rebecca for being an extraordinary human being who has more energy and enthusiasm for trails than anyone I have met and was instrumental in pulling this collaboration together.
Becca
In her own words, “I cannot begin to describe how many trees we have cut out. The efforts put forth by everyone involved have been inspiring. The teamwork between agencies is heartwarming, and the stock support we had all this past weekend from Harold Weise (Olympic chapter) was a lifesaver. Special thanks to Magic, Archie and Frank, the 4-footed volunteers. It was lots of talented, generous, hard-working, tough, trail-loving people from multiple agencies and chapters. This was a herculean effort by so many who were involved. The blowdowns were in the many, many, many hundreds. A final, but important note: all these many hundreds of trees have been cut with full attention to safety and not one mishap or incident. We are proud of our safety record and the communication we maintained between crews using radios.” LeBar Horse Camp is now open to the public and the trails are open for riding. Please consider making this beautiful camp and trail one of your riding destinations soon!
We are hosting a regional work party in partnership with other chapters in the region to get LeBar Horse Camp and the Lower S. Fork Skokomish River trail ready for the season. Winter storm damage is extensive – there is a lot of work to do! We need volunteers for camp and trail work. Tasks include: brushing/swamping (a lot of swamping!), blowdown removal (sawyers needed!) and cleanup of campsites. We will also be removing the rotten roof on the vault toilet and (hopefully) installing the new roof. Something for everyone! Bring gloves, appropriate attire. Tools, PPE’s provided (Sawyers need to bring their own saw/PPE)
Buckhorn Range Chapter - Back Country Horsemen of WA 