Down and Up Rucka-Chuck Fun Run Raises Bucks
The 100 or so runners donated more than $1000 to the SAVE NO-HANDS BRIDGE Fund, plus buying No-Hands t-shirts, posters and calendars which were sold separately, but the money goes to the same place. It cost Charlie and Nanci about $300 of their personal funds to put on this fun-run event, but they are happy with the results. Everyone had a good time; the weather was perfect. Thank you to all the volunteers who donated their day and to the runners who dug deep, both to finish the run and to support the cause. Now we just have get on our political representatives to do something with the money that has been raised and fix the bridge. The following are exerpts from some of the comments about the run.

From Stan Jensen
A big THANKS to Charlie & Nancy Gabri, Audrey Veirs, Sherri Osborn, Gene & Suzi Thibeault, Ken Crouse and all the other people who volunteered and made yesterday's "fun run" such a success. I really enjoyed the low-key atmosphere of this no-fee event. It's always a thrill to be around the "famous" runners, like Gard Leighton, Dwaine Batt, Mo Bartley and even a non-entrant named Tim Twietmeyer (his father was running).
The trail was well marked and the aid stations were more than adequate and had water, Gatorade, cookies, chips, etc. at about eight locations, with the Thibeaults dispensing water on the way out and insults on the way back (Gene said I looked like hell) and even Norm Klein was at the 30-mile aid station! Mark this one on your calendar for next year and watch me try to break 6:00 (or die)!

From Suzi T - To Charlie and his much better half Nanci,
Thanks for all your work to make the "Down and UP Ruck a Chuck" a great experience for the runners that thought it was fun, and a challenge for those that didn't know how tough this course really is!
The SAVE NO HANDS BRIDGE fund is in better shape, and those runners who failed to carry a water bottle survived, though they may not be in better shape.
Where else but ultra running can you find two 60 year olds smiling at mile 24 after a tough up hill, followed by a strapping 17 year old who thought he was going to "run all the up hill", looking very spent, and barely surviving to tell the tale, a full hour behind them!

              President          Sherri Osborn        367-3928
              Vice President     Stephanie Williams   367-4905
              Secretary          Sue Hodge            367-4278
              Treasurer          Mike Winslow         367-3928

BLM Proposed Land Sale Update
In response to feedback BLM has decided at this time not to dispose of the parcels in T14N, R11E Section 21 near Michigan Bluff on Gorman Ranch Rd. that the Western States Trail goes through. If, in the future, they decide to sell those parcels, easements for the Western States Trail will be recorded prior to the sale. This is very good news for the trail and we thank BLM for their responsiveness.

Mammoth Bar OHV Area May Be Expanded
A informational meeting was held by State Parks and Rec on September 14th in Folsom to present a preliminary proposal to expand the OHV (off-highway vehicle) area currently at Mammoth Bar up the Middle Fork of the American River, building new trails that could possibly be used by other trail users. The expansion might be an additional 600 acres. There were concerns expressed at the meeting about impacts to wildlife, erosion, noise, dust, fire danger and safety. State Parks and Rec has yet to do an environmental impact study and to finalize a proposal, so we will wait until there is a proposal before taking any position.

Thank You for Supporting the Trails
Welcome to new member David Duncan, from Auburn, who is interested in running and hiking.
Kate Eddy renewed her membership and just bought land near Snowy Peaks Christmas Tree farm. She will be moving up from Loomis and is interested in hiking, biking and horses.

Youth Outing -- Codfish Falls Trail, Friday Oct 18th
We will meet at the Elementary school at 2:00 PM and drive down to the bottom of Ponderosa Way and hike from there about 1.5 miles to the falls. Cancelled in case of rain. For more information, contact Sherri at 367-3928.

Christmas Party
We're starting to plan now for the FTA Christmas Party. This year Erin McChesney, winner of the 1996 Tevis, has agreed to be our guest. We'll discuss the date, location and logistics for the party at the meeting Oct. 9.

Please Attend Forum Meetings
At the September Forum meeting Tony Rossman, President of the Western States 100 Mile Run, came up from the Bay Area to ask the Forum to support recommending the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the American River be nominated for Wild and Scenic designation which would protect it from new dams and activities that would negatively impact this unspoiled section of river. People at the Forum meeting agreed that the North Fork of the Middle Fork meets all the criteria for designation, but the mood at the Forum was very anti-government regulations. Things took a negative turn when a woman from Michigan Bluff stood up and said the Western States Trail is littered and stinks of urine the day after the run and that Tony is destroying things rather than saving them. Knowing the thousands of hours Tony has worked for the Western States Trail, I was very embarrassed that he was given this reception in Foresthill. It must have been disheartening for him and I hope that it did not factor into his decision to retire from being president of the run which he subsequently did. There are many issues affecting trails that come up at the Forum meetings which are the first Monday of the month, 7 PM at Memorial Hall. Please attend and help speak up for the trails and other things affecting the quality of life on the Divide.

Foresthill Trails Alliance                      PO Box 468, Foresthill, CA 95631
http://foothill.net/fta/                        email: fta@foothill.net