A small reminder for those going on the trails this time of year

[Frenchy]

Just a nice little post from a group I follow. Good advice all together when you think about it. To many on here it is obvious, but to some its not so obvious(maybe I have that backwards).

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[VegasRanger]

That’s why I carry bolt cutters in my truck

 

[GTGallop]

Helped a guy once that was stuck behind a gate.
He used On-X to plot a path through the Tonto National Forest and his extraction point out on to the road after three days of driving was a closed gate (Tacoma Driver). He didn't bring any extra fuel with him and was near empty. Not nearly enough to turn back and figured his best option was to hang out near the gate (smart guy).

But - He didn't tell anyone where he was (dumb guy / Taco driver)
He was out of cell range with no Plan B for Comms (again I think we covered that he's a Taco driver)
He had been sitting at that gate since 10:00 AM and I was the first person to come by.

I whipped out the ham radio, called into a repeater on Mount Ord that was linked back into Phoenix. Got a hold of another Ham that helped with contacting the authorities. USFS Rangers were not answering their phones on a Sunday afternoon at 4:00 PM, so they got through on the Maricopa County Sheriff Non-Emergency Number who was able to get a ranger rolling. He was bringing a map, a key, and 5 gallons of fuel. I tossed the Taco driver two liters of water and a protein bar and took off.

 

[Frenchy]

Helped a guy once that was stuck behind a gate.
He used On-X to plot a path through the Tonto National Forest and his extraction point out on to the road after three days of driving was a closed gate (Tacoma Driver). He didn't bring any extra fuel with him and was near empty. Not nearly enough to turn back and figured his best option was to hang out near the gate (smart guy).

But - He didn't tell anyone where he was (dumb guy / Taco driver)
He was out of cell range with no Plan B for Comms (again I think we covered that he's a Taco driver)
He had been sitting at that gate since 10:00 AM and I was the first person to come by.

I whipped out the ham radio, called into a repeater on Mount Ord that was linked back into Phoenix. Got a hold of another Ham that helped with contacting the authorities. USFS Rangers were not answering their phones on a Sunday afternoon at 4:00 PM, so they got through on the Maricopa County Sheriff Non-Emergency Number who was able to get a ranger rolling. He was bringing a map, a key, and 5 gallons of fuel. I tossed the Taco driver two liters of water and a protein bar and took off.

Yeah... Got to love the Taco Drivers!! It's pretty clear they are not too bright

 

[Friday yet?]

That’s why I carry bolt cutters in my truck

Yes it's funny. And I laughed. But this is also smart thinking and very good advice!

 

[Frenchy]

Yes it's funny. And I laughed. But this is also smart thinking and very good advice!

Not really a good idea. Why you ask? That is how you get the trails closed for good.

 

[Friday yet?]

Not really a good idea. Why you ask? That is how you get the trails closed for good.

Damn. There you go making me feel bad. Good point. I stand corrected.

 

[GTGallop]

Not really a good idea. Why you ask? That is how you get the trails closed for good.

And if you get stopped for a random impromptu chat with forest officials and they find bolt cutters then you are suspect #1 for every cut lock since the last guy they talked to three years ago with bolt cutters.

On the one hand - I get it. It pays to be prepared. But on the other hand, I've never needed them enough to justify the liability, space, or weight.

 

[Friday yet?]

 

[Muddy Fenders]

If you do use bolt cutters to save yourself from dying from a bad mistake, heaven forbid they find a skeleton at the gate come spring (kinda like in China where they are welding doors shut to ensure compliance with quarantines, wait till a building catches fire) at least keep a handful of locks with you to lock the gate again. It wont stop the Rangers come spring as I am sure they have bolt cutters too, but it will keep other riff raff from going through easily, thereby ensuring the trails don't unnecessarily get closed.

 

[Sarge104]

That’s why I carry bolt cutters in my truck

No matter the vehicle I always have a tool kit:

Back before my enlistment I was visited by a recruiter for a physical fitness check before MEPS. We stopped by the local school track and after the test found we had been locked in. He called the police and I went to work dismantling the gate. The police found us on the other side of the gate, it didn't even take them very long to respond.

 

[mtbikernate]

not quite time of year for seasonal road closures in my area, but it's coming.

one of the local seasonal roads has been closed for a few years now due to a landslide they haven't fixed. I can't say I'm disappointed because that part of the forest has gotten a lot quieter with various recreational traffic since then. not nearly as many people willing to hoof it along the road to access the various trailheads back there.

 

[Frenchy]

Uneven better idea than carrying bolt cutters is contacting your local forest ranger and finding out where the seasonal closures are! This will have a higher chance of you not having to worry about being closed behind that gate!

 

[GTGallop]

That’s why I carry bolt cutters in my truck

Just a thought....
They almost ALWAYS use the cheapo, easy to defeat Master Lock No3.

Learn how to pick it. It's easy. And a lock pick kit looks a lot like an AR Cleaning kit and can be hidden in your vehicle a lot easier than bolt cutters can.

 

[txquailguy]

Heck, here in NOCO forget about the gates in the National Forest.....it's the beetle kill and burned trees you have to worry about on the trail roads. Better have your bow saw and a good sharp ax ready to get yourself out...

Here are some pics from recent 3rd rifle season I took while hunting in the bush.....
These pictures show the weather extremes in the mountains....all were taken the same week.

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