BLM Rangers at Red Rock Canyon Harassing Hikers and Climbers

[Branch]

Red Rock Canyon is grossly mismanaged. The management team has alienated runners, hikers, bicyclists, and climbers. From inadequate parking to rangers who don't hike, it's time to remove the management team and several of the rangers. I have written a letter to Senator Harry Reid. Why Senator Reid? First, he has the power to do something. Remember, these are government employees and they feel as if they cannot be touched. Second, he is passionate about Red Rock and is a strong supporter.


Facts:
*Because of the ranger's incompetence they are putting visitor's safety at risk.
* Red Rock has not built a new trail in almost 10 years.
* I have only seen one ranger on the trails in 15 years.
* A ranger was sent to sensitivity training for harassing women and Hispanics.
* Volunteers report it is extremely difficult to work with the current management team.
* The new entrance fee at RRC makes it the most expensive in the country ($7 per day = $49 per week - Grand Canyon, Zion etc. is $25 per week).
* For the first time ever walkers, runners and bicyclists are charged an entrance fee.
* They actually closed a parking lot for visitors and then spent money to beautify the same parking lot for employee parking. How does this enhance visitor's experience?

I need your help. If you have any proof of BLM or Red Rock Rangers incompetence, wrong doing, or wasting money, please email me. The more evidence we can obtain the stronger our case will be. Email at: branchwhitney@hikinglasvegas.com

Thanks,

Branch Whitney

[Brian in SLC]

>Facts:
*Because of the ranger's incompetence they are putting visitor's safety at risk.

Do you have some examples of their incompetence? And, how it puts a visitor's safety at risk?

I'm responsible for my own safety. Why would I want to rely on a ranger, competent or not?

>* Red Rock has not built a new trail in almost 10 years.

IMHO, they don't need any new ones. The area is fairly saturated with trails.

Where do you think there should be a new trail? Wouldn't just going for a hike off trail work?

As a tax payer, I don't want to pay for any new trails. I think the ones they have are just fine.

>* I have only seen one ranger on the trails in 15 years.

I've seen less than that. Sounds like they're doing something right, or, we're gettin' on the "good" trails. Another example why they don't need more trails, though.

>* A ranger was sent to sensitivity training for harassing women and Hispanics.

One bad apple? That sounds like an isolated case to me.

My guess is that it didn't happed on a trail, though, since we never see a ranger on a trail.

>* Volunteers report it is extremely difficult to work with the current management team.

Examples?

>* The new entrance fee at RRC makes it the most expensive in the country ($7 per day = $49 per week - Grand Canyon, Zion etc. is $25 per week).

I buy a National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands pass every year. Doesn't cost me any more or less. Annual pass at Red Rocks is 30 bucks. Only a fool would buy a pass a day for a week instead of an annual pass?

Pass is only for the scenic drive. You can walk (or drive) in anywhere else for free.

>* For the first time ever walkers, runners and bicyclists are charged an entrance fee.

Only on the scenic drive loop. Ok, not a big fan of that fee increase, but, I guess the money stays in Red Rocks.

>* They actually closed a parking lot for visitors and then spent money to beautify the same parking lot for employee parking. How does this enhance visitor's experience?

Is this one at the Vistor's Center? There's still gobs of visitor parking there. And, no recreation, really.

>I need your help. If you have any proof of BLM or Red Rock Rangers incompetence, wrong doing, or wasting money, please email me.

Case for what?

Did you go to any of the public meetings?

Did you comment on the Red Rock Business Plan?

Are you tilting at windmills?

[Branch]

First, I have hiked in RR more than anyone else. I found over 60 routes and named over 20 peaks. I have hiked with over 3000 people in RR. I have organized hikes for the Mountaineer Club, the Sierra Club, and Meetup.com. I am not from somewhere else and "thinks" he knows it all. I don't "front off" about Zion, GC, the Sierra, because I don't know those places like I know RR.

> Do you have some examples of their incompetence? And, how it puts a visitor's safety at risk?

One of the primary duties of a ranger is visitor safety. How can rangers protect visitors if they are not on the trails? The rangers do not know the peaks, let alone ever hike to them. Most rangers are overweight, some are obese. How is that a good thing? SAR performs all rescues, not the RR rangers.

> Where do you think there should be a new trail? Wouldn't just going for a hike off trail work?

RR has 19 pathetic official trails, poorly marked and uninteresting. I defy anyone to follow the same exact trail twice to Turtlehead Peak. It's impossible. There's too much trail braiding. This is the result of not having a properly built trail. It's also the only peak they list in their Keystone Thrust Paper they hand out to everyone who comes to the fee booth. Pine Creek Canyon is another example of not having an official trail leading into the canyon resulting in trail braiding. These environmental nuts cry about hiking off trail and then won't build a decent trail into the canyons (Pine, First Creek, Juniper, Black Velvet, Windy, Mud Springs). They need proper trails for the tourists. I am not one of the nuts who thinks he owns RR. I personally would not benefit much from official trails, but thousands would if they were built. Instead the BLM builds a 23 million dollar new Visitor Center.

If RR had their way, there would be no off trail hiking. They can't enforce this and in fact are afraid to.

> Volunteers report it is extremely difficult to work with the current management team. Examples?
I have lived in Vegas for 25+ years. You don't tip all your cards. I have other examples I will not make public until the correct time. I know lots of volunteers personally. Do you? They are extremely unhappy with the current management team.

>I buy a National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands pass every year. Doesn't cost me any more or less. Annual pass at Red Rocks is 30 bucks. Only a fool would buy a pass a day for a week instead of an annual pass?

Are all tourist fools? Those are the people paying the $7 fee. Explain this: No fee increase (and I don't think there is a charge) for equestrians. Explain how horses do less damage than hikers? (I owed horses and like them, but they do destroy things.) I know the answer, but will not tip it here.

>Is this one at the Vistor's Center? There's still gobs of visitor parking there. And, no recreation, really.
No, the parking lot I wrote about was before the fee booth to the left of it. Anyone who hikes at RR knows where that is/was. Hmmm.....

> Pass is only for the scenic drive. You can walk (or drive) in anywhere else for free.
Yes, but at least 80% of the hikes are located on the Scenic Loop. And, yes, I know about Calico Basin and south Red Rock.

>Case for what?
I guess if you like incompetent government employees who want to limit how you enjoy the outdoors, well then, you are in a very small minority.

Just curious, what makes you an expert about Red Rock Canyon and the current management policies?

[Brian in SLC]

>First, I have hiked in RR more than anyone else. I found over 60 routes and named over 20 peaks. I have hiked with over 3000 people in RR. I have organized hikes for the Mountaineer Club, the Sierra Club, and Meetup.com. I am not from somewhere else and "thinks" he knows it all. I don't "front off" about Zion, GC, the Sierra, because I don't know those places like I know RR.

You are from somewhere else. You haven't lived there as long as some of the pioneers of Red Rocks, many of which are still going strong.

>One of the primary duties of a ranger is visitor safety. How can rangers protect visitors if they are not on the trails? The rangers do not know the peaks, let alone ever hike to them. Most rangers are overweight, some are obese. How is that a good thing? SAR performs all rescues, not the RR rangers.

If I never see a ranger in Red Rocks, on a trail, peak, climb, I'd be happy as a clam.

>Instead the BLM builds a 23 million dollar new Visitor Center.

Well, it is pretty nice. But, lots of folks groaned at that too.

>If RR had their way, there would be no off trail hiking. They can't enforce this and in fact are afraid to.

I think they are concerned about visitor impact.

>I know lots of volunteers personally. Do you? They are extremely unhappy with the current management team.

I don't. I've chatted with a ranger though. But he wasn't on a trail.

Why are they unhappy?

>Are all tourist fools? Those are the people paying the $7 fee. Explain this: No fee increase (and I don't think there is a charge) for equestrians. Explain how horses do less damage than hikers? (I owed horses and like them, but they do destroy things.) I know the answer, but will not tip it here.

No, not all tourists are fools, just the ones that buy a weeks worth of 7 day passes when they could buy an annual pass for 30 bucks.

Horses is a different issue. I agree, but, the horsey folks lobby is a strong, historical one. Tough row to hoe.

>No, the parking lot I wrote about was before the fee booth to the left of it. Anyone who hikes at RR knows where that is/was. Hmmm.....

Nobody I know parks there. Not too many good trails to hike from that spot, IMHO. Where the big white water tank is (or was)? I guess if you needed to park a car to ride a bike, but, plenty of spots to do that.

I quiered a bunch of folks who hike and they didn't know about or care about a parking lot by the fee booth. Not a lot of good hiking trails start from there.

>Yes, but at least 80% of the hikes are located on the Scenic Loop. And, yes, I know about Calico Basin and south Red Rock.

And Windy Peak, Black Velvet, Juniper, Oak Creek, First Creek, Mud Springs... I'm thinking more like 50%, maybe less.

>I guess if you like incompetent government employees who want to limit how you enjoy the outdoors, well then, you are in a very small minority.

Well, I'm not above calling folks names, but, I really think your method is futile, and, makes you look like a crackpot.

>Just curious, what makes you an expert about Red Rock Canyon and the current management policies?

Oh, I'm no expert, and, no self professed namer of peaks, hikes, and not so full of beans to suggest that I've hiked more anywhere than anybody else.

I've followed (and commented on) the changes to the management of Red Rocks for over 20 years, and, have rocked climbed there for 25 years. But, I'm darn sure I'm no local, at least, not like you.

Senator Reid has his hands full right now, just trying to hang onto his seat. Think he'll be your senator for long? We'll see.

Good luck.

-Brian in SLC
(who found a route or two, but, forgot where he put them)

[goofball]

don't listen to him branch. he's just jealous. anyone who can bag mt. charleston w/in 2 weeks of moving here is obviously not a "crackpot". that takes a lot of planning and determination, from driving that excellent paved road to the trailhead, to walking that well maintained and marked trail to the summit and back. not to mention meal planning and hydration needs ! as well as picking a beta source from one of the available options to get said driving and th and hiking directions. not many people can do it. and definitely not w/in 2 weeks of being in its shadow ! give 'em hell, branch. give 'em hell.