Name: Tule Elk Count, Wind Wolves Preserve, San Emigdio Mtns,
Start: 2015-09-05T06:30:00-07:00
End: 2015-09-05T09:30:00-07:00
Location: Wind Wolves Preserve

Hi Weekday Trailblazers-

Here's a unique opportunity: The Wind Wolves Preserve portion of the Wildlands Conservancy is looking for volunteers to count Tule Elk on September 5, 2015. This is a great opportunity to visit the San Emigdio Mountains of which portions are not easily accessible to the public, help out the Wildlands Conservancy, see what a great job the Conservancy is doing to restore the lands to their wilderness state, and see and talk about some interesting and well exposed geology too. I plan on camping out at the preserve Friday night and can take four more folks in my truck, and I will return Saturday evening to Ventura County via Highway 33 and look at some of the geology. If you plan on riding with me: please let me know ASAP; we will meet at my home in Ventura at 5:30 PM (parking in front of my home) and I will send you directions and my address. You can also drive out to the Preserve early the morning of September 5th, but you need to be there no later than 6:30 AM to hear orientation, and please review links (below) on how to reach Preserve.

Please read the invitation (below) and the instructions from Wind Wolves (below the invitation). I told Megan I could probably roundup 5-10 volunteers for the count. If you are interested in attending you do not need to contact Wind Wolves but you do need to tell me if you are attending through the Weekday Trailblazers.

I don't think dogs are allowed on Preserve for the count, but I will check.

Location of Wind Wolves HQs: 34.9943200, -119.1853090

Driving directions:

http://www.wildlandsconservancy.org/preserve_windwolves.html

Wind Wolves:

http://www.wildlandsconservancy.org/

Greetings Friends,

The Wildlands Conservancy is conducting the annual Wind Wolves Preserve Tule Elk Count on Saturday September 5th, 2015.

Since Wind Wolves is 93,000 acres and the Tule Elk are spread throughout the San Emigdio slopes, we need volunteers to drive or hike routes to get a better count of this population. We would be grateful if you could volunteer your time for this special day. While on your routes, you will have the opportunity to see the expansive and impressive landscape of Wind Wolves Preserve and the majestic animals that call it home.

The details:

We have particular need for volunteers with 4x4 vehicles. We will meet for an orientation at 6:30 am at the administration building, conduct counts from 7:30 am -12:30 pm, and then enjoy a BBQ lunch at 1:00 pm, complements of The Wildlands Conservancy. Camping available (by reservation). Bring: plenty of water, hiking boots, sunscreen, and snacks. If you have binoculars and GPS units, please bring. For driving routes-we will also need a couple fire extinguishers if you have.

· Please contact me with questions and to RSVP: megan.l@twc-ca.org or (661)858-1115.

Thank you,

Megan

Assistant Preserve Manager

Thom, above is the original e-mail invitation that I sent out for you to share with your group.

In review, we discussed:

1. You think you will get around 4-5 people from your hiking club to come out. They will want to camp (we have reserved a campsite in San Emigdio Camground near office). Courtney is sending you camping details & rules on this, thanks Courtney!

2. You think around 4-5 Geologists from the area will also want to come participate, but probably not camp (please let me know if this changes and we need to reserve more campsites).

3. You will bring your 4x4 truck that seats 4 additional people.

4. Whoever is not going in your truck route will be on a hiking route in groups of at least 2 (map in PDF format below-see orange dotted lines, not highlight line, this is a driving route) unless the temperature is going to exceed 90 F for the day. If this occurs, the backup plan for the hikers will be to join in as additional spotters in driving route vehicles where seats are available or join in on the shuttle route that will go up to the end of the driving portion of SE canyon and then around the reflection pond area and back down into the valley likely passing a group of elk on the way.

Specific information for hikers:

hikers will need to wear long pants and sturdy hiking shoes, hats, sunscreen, 2 liters of water each, and each group will be issued a good radio in the morning. There will be someone to drop off hikers at the top and then pick up hikers at the end of route. The hikes are along ridge lines, but are up and down to peaks, the grass has fox tails and can get slippery, and there is no shade. All hiking routes are between 2.8 and 3.9 miles long.

5. You are sending me a final count by this weekend and I'll send you the details on the count at the beginning of next week.

Thanks, Megan

WEEKDAY TRAILBLAZERS DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY

IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY:

The hike host is a volunteer and not responsible for the group. Safety should be a priority for everyone in the group. Please treat this meet-up as hiking with a group of friends. If you become fatigued and unable to continue the hike, it is expected you will advise the hike host of this and return to our starting point on your own. If you are able to proceed, it is expected that you will maintain line of sight with other members of the group at all times and help to promote the group’s safety and fitness goals.

Outdoor sports and other events we plan can be inherently dangerous and accidents may happen. By participating in any posted event, you are taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being. The Weekday Trailblazers Meetup Group and its organizers are not trained leaders and we do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in trips. All participants take full responsibility for their own actions.

If you choose to sign up for this or any Weekday Trailblazers Meetup event, you are releasing the Weekday Trailblazers Meetup Group and its organizers from all liability in case of possible injuries. Your personal safety depends on your own judgment and experience.

PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS

My cell #818-429-4278

No dogs are allowed on Preserve

Thom Davis

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Tule Elk Count, Wind Wolves Preserve, San Emigdio Mtns,

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