Sequoia Unit
In fall of 1995 members of the High Sierra Unit living in the Porterville,
Springville, Camp Nelson, Strathmore, Terra Bella area of Tulare County
met in the Martin Memorial Building to organize a new unit of the Backcountry
Horsemen of California. These members felt that a unit organized in a relatively
small geographic area would be more active in the affairs of the BCHC,
and its members would be more likely to attend meetings on a regular basis.
With the blessing of High Sierra President, Richard Cochran, the new unit
was born in November of 1995 and interim officers were elected.
It has been the practice of the unit to meet once a month in Springville,
it publishes a monthly newsletter, and has maintained about 150 members
each year. The meetings always include a speaker or program for the enjoyment
of those in attendance. The average attendance at the monthly meeting has
been from 40 to 60 people.
Ernie Knowles of Springville was the unit's charter President and served
for one year. Ruthie Heuer of Strathmore followed for the 1997 year. Geoffrey
Goldsmith of Springville guided the unit through its third year, and John
Keyes also of Springville is loading to lead us down the trail into the
21st century.
The unit continues the BCHC tradition of participating in Volunteer
projects in the Forests and Parks of the area . The Sequoia Unit has assumed
the responsibility of maintaining the drift fences and gates in Little
Whitney Meadow of Inyo National forest. In addition projects have been
conducted at trailheads, campsites and fences in the Kern River Canyon.
During the past four years several group rides have been conducted
on Sequoia Forest as well as on the Thompkins and Keyes Ranches. The Oates
Family and the Maxwells have hosted a pot luck dinner at their beautiful
ranchs in Springville during the past years that were well attended and
well received.
The unit continues to work on Public Lands Issues. It has met with
agency folks and has provided comments on the pending Wilderness Plan for
Sequoia Kings Canyon National Parks and the Sequoia National Forest Trail
Plan . For the past year members have worked with Inyo National Forest
on a plan to preserve and maintain the Olivas Cabin in Monache Meadows.
It looks like our role in negotiations with the Inyo administrators has
succeeded in preserving a site that was due to be destroyed in the Spring
of 1997.
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