tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596058140020795093.post3737340005887090113..comments2023-10-24T18:59:40.817-07:00Comments on usbackroads™: Traveling and Boondocking in the "Disputed Territories" of ArizonaVladimir Steblinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17401893012975033107noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596058140020795093.post-39592726349721962222011-03-31T08:50:45.573-07:002011-03-31T08:50:45.573-07:00Dugg is talking about the Travel Management Plans ...Dugg is talking about the Travel Management Plans that all National Forests are suppose to complete.<br /><br />Several Forests have already completed their plans.<br /><br />Here is the usbackroads article from last summer on this issue: <br />http://usbackroads.blogspot.com/2010/07/forest-service-boondock-locations.html<br /><br />The Forest Service is preparing maps that show the areas open to dispersed camping. They are FREE. Be sure to pick them up if available since they are cheaper than buying the recreation map!!Vladimir Steblinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17401893012975033107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596058140020795093.post-40711950663850405962011-03-31T04:52:41.619-07:002011-03-31T04:52:41.619-07:00Also, the new "designated sites only" is...Also, the new "designated sites only" is a national thing common to many of the NFs, especially in popular areas that tend to be overused.<br /><br />Not surprisingly, a lot of people in Tucson flock to the higher forests to escape the brutal summer heat.<br /><br />As you know, the illegal immigration issue is a real hot potato in southern AZ. It's a genuine problem, but I truly believe that the public safety aspect is way overblown.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15974453598992131798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596058140020795093.post-89975531719904143282011-03-31T04:33:41.370-07:002011-03-31T04:33:41.370-07:00The San Pedro National Riparian Area has banned al...The San Pedro National Riparian Area has banned all dispersed camping as far back as the mid-90s---there's just something about water in the desert, especially anything flowing, that's a natural magnet to overuse and abuse.<br /><br />I'll keep an eye out for these new No Camping signs in the southern Coronado NF. But to be clear, the pic of the sign in your post is not prohibiting dispersed camping; it's just the FS's way of CYA.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15974453598992131798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596058140020795093.post-65006751488334352692011-03-29T10:10:36.184-07:002011-03-29T10:10:36.184-07:00The southern portions of the Coronado National For...The southern portions of the Coronado National Forest and the BLM lands around San Pedro were all posted closed to dispersed camping.<br /><br />The Coronado worded it as "camping in campgrounds and DESIGNATED sites ONLY". A couple of the BLM signs stated the closure was for safety reasons.<br /><br />Once we got above I-8 the signs banning dispersed camping were gone and if fact, replaced by welcoming signs.<br /><br />Most public lands are safer than cities. However, I would still be alert and watchful. <br /><br />OVladimir Steblinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17401893012975033107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596058140020795093.post-69503019379800788222011-03-28T12:18:05.166-07:002011-03-28T12:18:05.166-07:00I know of no dispersed camping ban on any public l...I know of no dispersed camping ban on any public lands in the "disputed territories" as a result of the border issue, so I'll continue to enjoy a quiet month there every spring.<br /><br />While it's certainly true that one could encounter malevolence in the middle of nowhere, I still feel way safer in the National Forests than in most larger US cities.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15974453598992131798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596058140020795093.post-5460229999193180352011-03-26T13:35:48.474-07:002011-03-26T13:35:48.474-07:00When I researched the web for information on this ...When I researched the web for information on this posting I found a report from the General Accounting Office that the Border Patrol considers the Yuma area as the only part of the Mexican border than is secured. <br /><br />They were talking about the area patrolled from the Yuma Office. I am not sure how far east that extends.<br /><br />The number of people crossing the border is amazing. Official apprehensions were in the 500,000 range. Figure out how many get through and you have an estimate of the number of people you might meet. <br /><br />A friend was viewing with his telescope in the "disputed territories" last year. His friends had packed up and left and he was just putting his telescope into the car when five individuals speaking Spanish started running towards his car. <br /><br />It was 1:00 am. He jumped in his car and almost ran over two of them as he fled the area. Speaking to him he felt bad about endangering them, however, he did not speak Spanish. It was 1:00 am and dark. He said, they could have been just looking for water or needed help, but they could have also wanted his vehicle since they were so close to leaving the "disputed lands". <br /><br />That was the last of using HIS public lands for observing. <br /><br />That is the sad part of the talk from the politicians and no action. It puts average folks in harms way. <br /><br />Being in a crowd definitely helps. Not sure about dogs, but many immigrants are not exposed to dogs and therefore are fearful of large dogs.Vladimir Steblinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17401893012975033107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596058140020795093.post-52666885399031050982011-03-26T12:19:28.075-07:002011-03-26T12:19:28.075-07:00A bunch of us stayed at a BLM area off Sidewinder ...A bunch of us stayed at a BLM area off Sidewinder Road west of Yuma in January without problems. Maybe because there were a bunch of us? With lots of dogs to act as our early warning system?Linda Sandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12734450335251336493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596058140020795093.post-36802508388460784362011-03-25T18:59:41.754-07:002011-03-25T18:59:41.754-07:00Such a sad commentary on the world we live in. Sad...Such a sad commentary on the world we live in. Sad but absolutely necessary.Jim and Sandiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16108729200561576870noreply@blogger.com