Date: 28 April 98
Cavers,
It has come to my attention that Lincoln National Forest is planning to upgrade the Guadalupe Ridge Road for about one mile east of the Dark Canyon Lookout to the fenced Y-Junction (turn off to Hidden Cave). In the process, they are planning to eliminate (cover up) the Dragon's Teeth.
Yesterday, I tried to call Mike Baca and Richard Carlson, but they were both out of town (Richard on leave, Mike Baca on a control burn). So I visited with Johnny Wilson. Wilson was unaware of this situation, but talked to the Forest Engineer and Archaeologist, then spoke to Mike Baca by phone. Mike Baca told Johnny Wilson that there is low maintenance work scheduled for about one mile beyond Dark Canyon Lookout. They have not begun any construction yet. They have an Archaeological clearance (since the road passes through ring middens). Johnny indicated this is on their list to "provide better access to other recreational users." I suggested that perhaps an Environmental Assessment (EA) would be appropriate before they make this area readily accessible to the general public.
Today I spoke with Richard Carlson twice. He indicated that he spoke to Mike Baca about road 201. Several years ago the roads were all reviewed, and 201 was classified as level 2 maintenance--for public use but low maintenance. Mike Baca agreed on covering the Dragon's Teeth to make the road more accessible for miltiple use.
If you are concerned that eliminating the Dragon's Teeth (just beyond Texas Camp) will
provide easier access to the caves, and may encourage increased vandalism of the cave
resources, then I'd suggest you write a letter or two to the following:
Jose M. Martinez, Forest Supervisor
cc: Johnny Wilson, Recreation Staff Officer
Lincoln National Forest
1101 New York Avenue
Alamogordo, NM 88310-6992
Phone: 505-434-7200; Fax: 505-434-7218
cc: Mike Baca, District Ranger
USDAFS, Guadalupe Ranger District
Federal Building, Room 159
Carlsbd, NM 88220
Phone: 505-885-4181; Fax: 505-887-3690
cc: Jerry Trout, National Cave Specialist
USDAFS, Coronado National Forest
300 W. Congress
Tucson, AZ 85701
Phone: 520-670-4552; Fax: 520-670-4567
Cave Softly, and Leave No Trace!
Dave Jagnow, NSS #8177 Jagnow Consulting Geology
NSS Conservation Chairman 901 18th Street #11300
1300 Iris St. #103 Los Alamos, NM 87544
Los Alamos, NM 87544 505-662-0553 (phone & manual fax)
505-662-0553 (phone & manual fax) djagnow@roadrunner.com