An Early Morning Near Atsion

[Teegate]

All,

I was at the Atsion ranger station before sunrise this morning before setting out to visit a few locations in Wharton with photographer Albert Horton.

Light just showing over the large tree in the field by the ranger station. Sorry if some of these are blurry but some were taken before the sun was even showing.

Our first stop was the small pond that we visited on a PBX hike back in May of 2009 that we called the "Great Swamp Branch & Nescochague Creek." This photo was taken when PBX visited there last year. It is a wonderful place that Bob named India Sink.

However, not all is well in India Sink land. The bad guys have busted through the woods and entered the promised land.

These ruts were made by an ATV which is banned on state property.

Want proof?

And here is how they are getting in. I don't think this is an established road.

I personally have nothing against ATV use if they would allow them to be registered and insured, but doing this to India Sink or any other location as this is not acceptable as far as I am concerned. This pond has been watched and studied by biologists for years, and is a major breeding ground for the pine barren tree frog.


So we left there and traveled a short distance to another lowland location somewhat similar to India Sink. And as you might expect this one has the same problems. A circular track much like Nascar has been dug into this promised land. Bob named this location Plowboy and boy have they been plowing through it!

Guy

 

[46er]

Did you report it?

 

[Ben Ruset]

Fair warning, if this turns into another 1/4 mile-ish thread, I'm gonna be putting people in time out.

 

[ecampbell]

I believe it to be very importent to keep this type of behaviour in the open and documented. These threads are legal documents when it comes to establishing illegal activities and their time line regardless of how out of hand some discussions become.
Thanks Guy

 

[Boyd]

It's Ben's site and I think his wishes should be respected, regardless of how worthy a cause might be.

 

[skip3]

Ooooooohhhhhhhh the drama ..........................................................

 

[oji]

As your day in the woods was ending, mine was just starting. The black car threw me for a second because it's the first time I have seen you with it.

 

[Teegate]

As your day in the woods was ending, mine was just starting. The black car threw me for a second because it's the first time I have seen you with it.

I figured that. We had talked about Ted on our travels and as we pulled in I said to him that Ted may be there, so i looked at the gathering and he stood right out because of his hat. So I knew you would be there. I told him now was his chance if he wanted to meet Ted, and I would go talk to you. We decided that was not a good idea

How was your day?

Guy

 

[Teegate]

I have never in all he years I have been traveling in the pines reported anyone. I certainly don't want to be a hypocrite. However, some of the crap that I have read from the people who think they own some of these places and we should leave them alone is wearing thin on me. I understand that many of the individuals that travel to 1/4 mile really don't know the history of the place and think it is nothing more than a road. I certainly can't fault them for that. However, this photo taken today from the location I visited shows intent as far as I am concerned. They did not just drive through the place by accident.


http://teegate.njpinebarrens.com/09112010/IMG_5557.JPG


So to answer your question 46er, today for the first time ever I reported it. I have asked to have that hole blocked and I will continue to keep a watch on what goes on there. Ben, I am not trying to cause any trouble, just report what I see happening to places that don't deserve what is going on. If that is causing trouble than I have no business being here.

Guy

 

[46er]

I have never in all he years I have been traveling in the pines reported anyone. I certainly don't want to be a hypocrite. However, some of the crap that I have read from the people who think they own some of these places and we should leave them alone is wearing thin on me. I understand that many of the individuals that travel to 1/4 mile really don't know the history of the place and think it is nothing more than a road. I certainly can't fault them for that. However, this photo taken today from the location I visited shows intent as far as I am concerned. They did not just drive through the place by accident.


http://teegate.njpinebarrens.com/09112010/IMG_5557.JPG


So to answer your question 46er, today for the first time ever I reported it. I have asked to have that hole blocked and I will continue to keep a watch on what goes on there. Ben, I am not trying to cause any trouble, just report what I see happening to places that don't deserve what is going on. If that is causing trouble than I have no business being here.

Guy

Glad to hear that. It is far better to try and correct a potential problem early than deal with something like 1/4 mile. And consider by reporting what you saw, you just may have helped prevent that and helped to keep the pines open. Personally, I feel it is the right thing to do.

 

[Teegate]

After coming home and looking over the second photo in this thread I could not stop thinking I had to report it. I also went back there this evening with both my kids and we walked around.

Guy

 

[oji]

I figured that. We had talked about Ted on our travels and as we pulled in I said to him that Ted may be there, so i looked at the gathering and he stood right out because of his hat. So I knew you would be there. I told him now was his chance if he wanted to meet Ted, and I would go talk to you. We decided that was not a good idea

How was your day?

Guy

It was a great day. Funny thing is whenever I talk with Ted it's usually about the history of an area.

 

[Teegate]

It was a great day. Funny thing is whenever I talk with Ted it's usually about the history of an area.

Nothing wrong with that

Guy

 

[bobpbx]

My heart was also broken several times today Guy. I spent the day by myself in the Great Swamp. If you can believe it, they are now starting to drive right in those savannas we love. It makes me ill. Remember our Dutchtown trip? They actually drove in the main feeder that runs into the Sleepy.

 

[Teegate]

http://forums.njpinebarrens.com/get...eports/4597-dutchtown-freestyle-pbx-hike.html

 

[Ben Ruset]

Hang on, I don't mean that this can't be discussed. I just don't want the personal attacks going on like in the other two threads.

 

[woodjin]

Hey Guy, I think the second photo you posted there, with Bob and Chris is actually plow boy and not india sink. But apparently it doesn't matter since you were saying that they were driving trucks into both locations.

I recall that india sink was already pretty damaged from ORV use when we visited it in 2009. But we couldn't see the damage as well due to the water levels there during our hike. I remember seeing aerial photos later and seeing alot of tire tracks.

Have I got that right? http://forums.njpinebarrens.com/get-togethers-events-trip-reports/6419-great-swamp-branch-nescohague-creek-pbx-hike.html

 

[woodjin]

My heart was also broken several times today Guy. I spent the day by myself in the Great Swamp. If you can believe it, they are now starting to drive right in those savannas we love. It makes me ill. Remember our Dutchtown trip? They actually drove in the main feeder that runs into the Sleepy.

That is messed up. Those savannas are real wild country. They don't belong there.:ghostJack made me put the ghost in there, it has no significance)

 

[Teegate]

Hey Guy, I think the second photo you posted there, with Bob and Chris is actually plow boy and not india sink. But apparently it doesn't matter since you were saying that they were driving trucks into both locations.

You are correct. I picked the photo above it. In any event they both have been attacked. Here is the proper photo.

Guy

 

[Teegate]

.:ghostJack made me put the ghost in there, it has no significance)

It actually does since those places may be dead.


Guy