By Tim Mulverhill

Vice President, New England 4 Wheelers, Inc.

The 4WD clubs of the northeast had the opportunity this weekend to show DEM, associated greenies, and local towns that we are serious about our offers to clean up the trails we use and the surrounding area. Thanks to Bill 'no really, I'm retired' Barnes and Carl Merrick's efforts, the towns of Florida and Adams agreed to let New England Four Wheelers host the first cleanup of Old Florida Road - one of the few remaining trails in western Massachusetts and a precious resource of the four wheeling community.

Due to some early trip shenanigans on my part (going back for my wallet 15 minutes into the trip), John Meinck and I didn't hit the Savoy area until 9:30 or so. Foolishly believing Bill's warning of a 9AM sharp start time we headed directly to the Adams side of the trail. Needless to say there wasn't anyone there yet. Not wanting to waste a trip, John and I threw a dishwasher and some construction debris into my trailer and headed to the meet spot. We managed to pass the Adams side crew on the way but kept going since we already had a full load.

With no one at the meet spot except for some ATV guys unloading, we went to the waterhole side of the trail to see who was there. Rich Banfield and his Baystate reps were pulling into the trail and Carl was policing the side of the road. John and I unloaded the trailer for later pick up and headed to the water hole. While we were unloading a local gent stopped to see what was going on. I think he suspected illegal dumping and was amazed when we told him we pulled this junk out of the trail.

We managed to pass Baystate and get near the waterhole. John and I loaded up the trailer with some good sized, flat rocks until the springs were sagging and the tires were rubbing the fenders. Todd Landers and John Foster were working on blocking the waterhole bypass with some really nice folks from Deepwoods Extreme.

Todd had already dumped a load of rocks in the waterhole near the edge, so I pulled my trailer across the water, leaving it in about a Jeep-length. I donned my shorts and sneakers; John opted for the hip waders. We both waded in and placed the trailer load of rocks on the bottom along the right-hand side (facing Adams) of the crossing.

I should mention that I've never seen the water so low - I walked across the entire pond and it was never deeper than 30" on the crossing side. It appears to have been this way for a while as there is grass growing where there used to be two feet of water. There is now absolutely no reason for anyone to feel the need to use the bypass - the crossing is little more than hub deep for the most part. Stone stock vehicles can do it - stay off the bypass.

Rich pulled his trailer into the pond and John and I unloaded their stone, again placing it carefully so not to create new holes or obstacles. At one point I said, "Give me a hand moving this rock, I think I just created a Dana 30 trap". Once we were finished we all unhooked our trailers so we could turn around, hooked back up, and pulled back to the exit side.

By now the bypass crew was finished with the first closure. They had managed to maneuver a pile of boulders to one side of the bypass to block Jeeps and trucks, yet still allow ATV's and motorcycles through. These latter vehicles are allowed to use DEM trails and are not prohibited from using the old town roads in the forest as we are.

After a quick lunch we all headed over to the power line side of the bypass to block that end. With everyone pitching in we amassed two piles of rocks and boulders, strategically staggered to deter anyone from climbing them with a trail rig. Once again enough space was left to allow an ATV through. In fact, while we were there we had a few ATV's and dirt bikes pass through.

By 1:00 we were finished and headed out to the road. We loaded the debris we had left there in Carl's pickup and sold some of the new club t-shirts and sweatshirts. The waterhole maintenance, bypass block, and garbage cleanup crew consisted of NE4Wi, Deepwoods Extreme, Jeep Jamboree USA, and Baystate Jeepers. With luck the bypass closure will be respected and the waterhole conditions taken advantage of. This will go a long way in enabling the clubs of the northeast to continue enjoying this road by helping the towns to help us. If we police ourselves we show the towns we are a class of recreationists that they want to return to their towns, and they will be willing to work with us to prevent any further DEM road-grabs.

Please pass the word to your clubs and anyone you know who uses Old Florida Road - stay off the waterhole bypass. The boulders blocking the bypass are not a new obstacle for your enjoyment. Stay on the road that crosses the waterhole, the bypass is DEM land.

We all headed out in different directions. Carl and I drove past the meet spot looking for people. Finding none we continued over to the Adams side of the trail. Bill Barnes, Scott Hatch, Paul Ferrari, and a few other members of other clubs were wrapping up their 'post cleanup BS session'. A bunch of us followed Scott and John M. in our vehicles as they policed the sides of the road headed down into Adams. We dropped off discarded tires at the town-recycling center and brought the rest of the garbage to the truck at the radio station.

I couldn't believe how much crap was hauled out of the area. We should have some pictures on the club website soon that show how much we actually got, except for the 17? Tires.

I think the cleanup was a huge success, but the true measure of success will come from making the towns and DEM remember who cleaned the area up. It wasn't the Sierra Club, it wasn't Earth First. DEM wouldn't block the bypass on their own land. We also need to remember the importance of policing our own sport and the areas we use. Thanks to all who made the trip to help out. I look forward to participating in more events like this throughout the northeast and hope you all will too.