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Protect and Preserve

San Bernardino Mountains by James A. Spotila

Monthly Meeting
Next meeting is January 31st. The Wetmore's have contacted everyone that has expressed an interest on the VolunteerMatch Internet site, and several recruits are coming over from Big Bear. It is important for you to attend to stay in touch and stay informed. I do expect a return RSVP email from all volunteers.

WEEKEND UPDATE

Installation Of The Drinking Fountain
Where Is The Snow? That was the number one visitor question this past weekend! Friday - Installation of the Drinking Fountain at the Arboretum. This probably was the easiest part of this project that seemed to drag on forever. Mike Rizzo demonstrated the fountain for Dave Dopps (ROWIA) and then winterized the Arboretum for the season.

Kick Off Weekend
Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday were devoted kicking off the first weekend of the Highway Host program. Duties include trash removal, visitor contacts, Adventure Pass information to Snow Play visitors from the Rim to Lakeview Point above Snow Valley Mountain Resort. On our kick off weekend, we filled the utility truck all three days with trash, placed AP information on 402 vehicles (not in compliance) observed 21 vehicles displaying an Adventure Pass, assisted five disabled motorists, gave out numerous directions, and reported vegetation fires to dispatch twice. As was last year, we get the "thumbs up" from the CHP when we are working the snowplay area, since this is a major headache for them. Enforcement of the Pass tends to keep the illegal and unsafe parking down to a quiet roar.

Adventure Pass Issues
Leroy's Ski Shop in Arrowbear ran out of Passes before the weekend, and didn't bother to restock, and Ito's Ski Shop noticed a slight increase in sales but disappointing compared to the information we handed out. They should have a portable sign on the road. Snow Valley is now charging non-skiers, $20.00 to park in their lot, and this has pushed quite a few vehicles into the parking area out front. The direct result of that is a major increase in garbage, and debris along side the highway, NF Land, as well as creating a hazard to the motoring public.

San Bernardino NF Trivia

Size - 670,284 acres

Hiking trails - 538 miles (PCT 195)

Number of people within two hour drive - 20 million

Number of visitors per year - 6.6 million (versus 4.2 for Yosemite)

Volunteer information and weekend updates provided by John Miller.
PHOTO CREDIT: San Bernardino Mountains by James A. Spotila
To view more photos go to http://www.geol.vt.edu/profs/js/sanbern.html