[drshame]

Any interest in "Running the Bear" over the next few weeks?

A lot of us may have some time off and wanna get dirty.
Any idea about conditions there now and water depth?

Also, anyone ever run the new Corn Dance Trails?

Happy Holidays Off-Road!

[Broward Outlaw]

corn dance trails are basically the same as the old trails in thar unit just with updated signs now and no dispersed use allowed

[BlackHawkTJ]

i know everglades jeeps and 4x4's are going 1,14,12 im hoping to tag along if my regear comes in before then,

[Wardie]

Mmm... I may be interested in this run. Let me know.

[drshame]

Did a "quick" run up to Bear Island today.

Turner River road was dry and dusty as ever.
The River was almost over the banks...and it looked like the nearby water was very high for a usual dry down time of year.
I went east thru the main grade to Pink Jeep and it was a nice, dry ride and great Picnic Weather.
Saw a few deer, raccoons, 'gators and birds.
A volunteer at the Ranger Station told me the water levels on the trails are high and it's wetter than normal this year.
New 2012 Permits are being sold already.
I was surprised to be told the Corn Dance Trails are closed to ORV's and only accesible to ATV's and Buggies.
When I told them I thought they were wrong and it was opened to ORV's this year, they insisted it's closed to ORV's and I was mistaken.
I'm trying to find out for sure.
They are pushing their "No Dispersed" trail mandate and handing out cards urging permit holders to call NPS to report anyone who goes off the trail.
The FWS agent at Bear Island told me the Big Cypress LE's already seized a permit from an ORV Holder who was found off-trail slightly.
Hope their off road trails are better marked than the last time I ran them.
It's almost impossible to know where the real, official trails are, compared to where the trails are actually used.

[Wardie]

On Jan 14, 2012 Jill, the ranger in charge of the Back Country Volunteers, and some of the volunteers will be taking some visitors on a guided tour of some of the trails in Bear Island. I will be riding in that group as one of the volunteers.

[drshame]

NO 4X4 Corn Dance Access
Per NPS

I really thought I remember them opening up miles of new trails in Corn Dance to Street Legal 4X4's!
Guess I was wrong.

Anyone else hear anything about this?


"The Corn Dance Unit has always been open to ORVs. Recently we
went to designated trails only in the unit. However, each unit of the
Preserve has specific types of ORVs that are allowed within it. Remember,
we define ORVs as being swamp buggies, ATVs, street legal 4x4s and
airboats. Bear Island allows for access by swamp buggies, ATVs and street
legal 4x4s; Turner River, Corn Dance and Zone 2 of the Stairsteps allows
for access by swamp buggies and ATVs; Zone 3 of the Stairsteps allows for
swamp buggies, ATVs and airboats; Zone 4 of the Stairsteps allows for
access by airboats.

So the answer is no, we do not allow street legal 4x4s in the Corn Dance
Unit. Use of street legal 4x4s is only allowed in the Bear Island Unit."


I hope this clarifies the issue.

Bob DeGross
Big Cypress National Preserve
Chief of Interpretation and Public Affairs

33100 Tamiami Trail East
Ochopee, FL 34141
239-695-1107 office; 239-293-3643 cell

The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American
people so that all may experience our heritage.
Experience Your America!

[ljrubitm]

Read under Corn Dance, Bear Island, Turner River

http://www.nps.gov/b...lementation.htm

[Wardie]

ljrubitm, on 30 December 2011 - 10:49 PM, said:

Read under Corn Dance, Bear Island, Turner River

http://www.nps.gov/b...lementation.htm

Exact repeat of Bob DeGross explanation, street legal 4x4's are only allowed in Bear Island and not allowed in Corn Dance or Turner River areas.