STACI MATLOCK | The New Mexican
November 4, 2004

When state and federal officials decided it was time to move some unwelcome guests out of the Pecos River in 1992, they enlisted the help of a few horseback riders.

The group - called the Back Country Horsemen of America - helped pack out 300 brown trout in horse paniers from the upper river in the Pecos Wilderness. The fish were kept alive in plastic bags filled with water and oxygen.

"We only lost three fish," said Jim Gore, one of the early members of the equestrian group and president of the Pecos Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of America -New Mexico.

It was an early project of the group, which was founded by three women in the Land of Enchantment in 1991. They've logged thousands of hours moving downed trees off backcountry trails, removing brush, repairing fences and helping patrol the forests during fire season.

About 300 riders participate in half a dozen chapters now in New Mexico, according to Nick Martinez, a member of the Santa Fe Chapter. A new version of the Pecos Wilderness map this summer even has a picture of the Santa Fe Chapter horsemen on it. More then 15,000 equestrians participate with Back Country Horsemen around the country. The organization started three decades ago, in part to keep backcountry areas open to equestrian use. Martinez is a New Mexico representative to the national Back Country Horsemen of America board.

Martinez thinks Backcountry Horsemen is a perfect volunteer group, melding the common equestrian interest of diverse people with a mission to keep the backcountry open. The U.S. Forest Service identifies trails that need attention each spring after winter storms. The Backcountry Horsemen help keep them repaired. "Our thing is if you're part of the solution instead of just complaining about it, you're better off," he said.

Backcountry Horsemen volunteers work on projects from late spring through early fall. Each chapter picks areas where they focus volunteer attention. The Pecos Chapter, based in Edgewood, maintains trails in the Pecos Wilderness on the eastern side of the Sangres and in the Manzano Mountains near Mountainair. The Middle Rio Grande Chapter works on projects in the western Jemez Mountains. The Santa Fe Chapter focuses on trails on the western side of the Sangres at Borrego Trail, Aspen Ranch and the Windsor Trail.

Gore said equestrian volunteers from the Pecos Chapter worked on 16 projects this year alone. They regularly clear 45 to 50 miles of trails in the Pecos Wilderness, but the biggest trees they have to move off trails are on the Crest Trail in the Manzanos. One was a 49 inch diameter pine. Rarely have they used chainsaws. "Everything, because we are in the wilderness, has to be cut by hand," Gore said.

This year, Back Country Horsemen volunteers worked on the Continental Divide Trail in four states, including New Mexico. "The Santa Fe Chapter has worked on 60 miles of it in the Jemez mountain area," Martinez said.

The group worked with staff at the Valles Caldera Trust last year to open up trails in the Valles Caldera National Preserve to equestrians. The preserve began offering trail rides in late summer.

On a work weekend, horseriders trailer their horses to a meeting spot on a Friday and ride in to the project site to set up camp. Saturday is spent bushwacking, moving trees or repairing fences. Some people spend another night out and ride out on Sunday. They have official volunteer badges from the U.S. Forest Service and they keep track of volunteers from the time they leave home until they arrive safely back.

"I cannot imagine a better way to pass a day," Martinez, a roofing contractor, said.

Back Country Horsemen hold monthly meetings through the winter. They work with members on backcountry packing skills, horse and human emergency medicine and trail etiquette. They learn how to pack in weed-free feed for their horses so they don't contribute to the spread of invasive organic weeds.

Martinez and Gore said one of the things they like about the organization is the diversity of volunteers: college professors, artists, contractors, doctors, lawyers and other professionals.

Gore said the volunteer work gives the equestrians a chance to overcome the "bad rap," horses sometimes get from other recreational users. "Its fun. We enjoy it. It's a nice purpose for the horses."

"(Hikers) appreciate it immensely 'cause they know we're keeping the trails open."

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