April 2008--We're going to open this segment with a report from the March 2006 Bullsheet (our club newsletter)
about an area that local clubs have treasured for many decades. Written by Phil Strittmatter with awesome photos by Aaron and Jason
Summers.
IT AIN'T NO SECRET
Way back in the 1860's it was, but not today. In spite
of the fact that it's listed with descriptions and directions in several 4x4 trail guide books, and plainly shown on maps, there are
some people who believe it's still a secret. They are deluded by the connotation of the name and don't want us to tell anyone whereit is. The "they," of course, are a few employees of Arizona State Land Department and the extreme "green" segment of our society.
We could assail you with a lengthy diatribe about the history of our club's involvement in the fight to keep our access but most of
you already know it. The
latest is: Even though we've made every effort to comply with ASLD's stipulations--the kiosk, the boulders,
the cleanups, the day-long Site Steward training program--they are now back-pedaling and reneging on their agreement. They are claiming,
among other things, that the State Commission officially closed the pass to motorized use in 1993, that they didn't find it in their
files until just recently, and that we knew about it all along. The truth is, we did NOT know of the Commissions decision having never
received any communication to that effect. As of today, it's still all up in the air and we're hunkering down waiting for ASLD's next
salvo. In the meantime, we will continue to honor our side of the agreement by monitoring and reporting on our stewardship to ASLD's
site coordinator, Mary Estes.
On the bright, sunny but chilly morning of February 19th, fifteen well setup
vehicles met at the usual place on Egar Road. Our entourage consisted of members from both the B4W and W4W clubs since we are joint
partners in the project. This was not a pre-planned run but thanks to emails and Ma-Bell, the word got out.
Over the last nearly twenty years that the B4Ws (for many of us, much more than twenty years) have been driivng through Secret Pass,
it has been expected that changes will occur in the canyon after heavy rains and this past year was no exception. But what was surprising
was that there has been significant change since our last trip in January and, with no rain. The amount of running water had reduced
to a mere trickle, will soon disappear and the canyon will devolve to its normal dry state. Even in the few remaining wet places there
were no signs of toads, they've gone into their hibernating mode to reappear during the next wet season.
The
terrain changes over the years have made the trip sometimes harder, sometimes easier. Presently it's more on the easy side. There
were four or five first timers along that uttered the usual oohs and aahs regarding the beauty of the canyon but we missed any comments
from them as to how they felt about the difficulty. Comments couldn't have been too negative since, with few exceptions, they took
most of the extra credit lines. Once out of the western mouth of the canyon, on private land, a half hour or so was spent doing a
little road repair to a washed out section and then on to lunch at the end of the road near the Wilderness boundary.
Our return trip was blessed with the spotting of a herd of big horn sheep that had been down to water and were returning to high ground.
This was one of the largest herds I've ever seen, 48 by count of rams, lambs and ewes--there may have been more.
Once back at the kiosk, it was agreed by all to have been a wonderful and successful trip, no dings, no dents, no breaks - well, just
one small rocker ding on the white Cherokee but overall just a lot of smiles and back slapping. Since the time of day was still fairly
early, we exited via the Ridge road and Pucker-your-Pooper hill, crossed the Slurry Line, paused briefly at the Secret Pass town-site
and ended the run at the 69KV power line. We said our goodbyes as those from Bullhead turned left and those from Kingman turned right.
ADDENDUM: In
the second paragraph of this report it was said that we were "waiting for ASLD's next salvo." That was written the day after the run,
and in the interim, we've heard the dreadful scream and dull thudding explosion of that salvo. We've been sorely injured and wounded
(see following email) but the fight isn't over yet. Several avenues of rebuttal have been discussed and these will be pursued hopefully
to a satisfactory end.
Received from Chuck Hudson, ASLD, 2/21/06:
"Sorry for the long
delay, but there has been considerable discussion lately concerning our whole permitting process. We are now adopting a fee schedule
more closely aligned to what BLM charges. The $50 annual group permit will be for casual touring by less than 50 members of the club.
Over 50 participants, will require a $50 activity fee for that specific activity or event. Competitive events will be a minimum of
$100 or more depending on how many participants are expected. Commercial events will be a minimum of $1,800. These rates are not yet
shown on our web page.
"We are also adhering to a strict staying on existing roads and trails policy, as indicated
in our literature, as well as on almost all publications for OHV. This means no rock crawling or rock hop[p]ing will be allowed on
Trust Land. As for Secret Pass, considering that there was a Commissioner's order issued in June, 1992, prohibiting motorized vehicles
in township 20 North, Range 20 West, Section 2, the pass is closed to motorized vehicles.
"I know your club
has put a lot of effort in trying to restrict travel in Secret Pass, but a recent rock crawling event near Phoenix pointed out the
impacts such an activity can cause and our decision was made.
SO, WITH THE CLICK OF THE SEND BUTTON..."the pass is closed to motorized vehicles." "...a recent rock crawling event near Phoenix
pointed out the impacts such an activity can cause and our decision was made."
What does a "rock crawling
event near Phoenix" possibly have to do with Secret Pass??? The extreme "green" faction of our society has been attempting to close
this area to motorized recreation for years - noise pollution, don'tcha' know? And, any other excuse for which their narrow, propagandized,
deceitfully calculating little brains can devise. Sadly, that was our last motorized trip through and into this magnificent canyon.
Since the closure, we have had no luck with our attempts to have Secret Pass re-opened for motorized use - a severe, needless loss
for the four-wheeling communities. If you wish to see it, put on your hiking boots, bring lots of water, hats, snacks and your cameras.
The following photos show a tiny example of the efforts by the Bullhead 4 Wheelers and Walapai 4 Wheelers as part of our obligation
for becoming Site Stewards of Secret Pass - In order to become "stewards" we had to take a day-long class. Our current president,
Phil, built hitching rails for the equestrian crowd, that were embedded in four feet of concrete, as was the kiosk. All supplies...concrete,
water, tools, etc...were hauled in by 4x4 truck with trailer, including the Bobcat - a tough job on the steep and challenging road
in and out. We also had to move huge boulders with the Bobcat, our 4x4s and by hand in order to block two routes, leaving us one entryway
into the pass. All quite ridiculous, and, as it has turned out, a complete waste of taxpayer money and our time.
Joan Beck, April 2008
Secretary,
Editor B4W
