Route Inventory Data Summaries: 6/23/05
Area: Westgard Pass
Observers: Chris Kassar and Mike Klapp

Route N2112

Route description: This route begins ~ 200 yards west of the Bristlecone Pine Road and travels west for ~ ½ mile from its junction with Z1814 (Picture 623004).

Narrative summary: This route is very rocky and steep in many sections (Picture 623007). There is a lot of opportunity for erosion on this route because it is steep, sandy and rocky (623007). We did not see any tracks to provide evidence of recent motorized use, thus it was determined this is a low-use route. The dominant vegetation along the trail is pinon-juniper, while the majority of vegetation in the center is slow-growing perennials (i.e. sagebrush) reaching a maximum center height of ~1.5 feet. We identified other vegetation in the center, including bunch grass, bitter brush, sego lily, sulfur buckwheat and phlox. We found a stable, low-use campground with a fire ring (Picture 623005). The road continues beyond the campsite, however, the reason for this is unclear as the road ends in the middle of a rocky slope (Picture 623006).

Recommendation: The purpose of this route is unclear. We recommend a complete closure or a closure beyond the campsite. 

Route N2113

Route description: This route is a small spur heading north that begins 1.5 miles north of Grandview campground and ¼ mile past the junction with Z1813 (Picture 623008). 

Narrative summary: This route is rocky, not very well-defined and, at times, difficult to follow. We observed only one motorcycle track and classified this route as one of low use (Picture 623010). The dominant vegetation along the trail is pinon-juniper. There is very little vegetation in the center and it is primarily sagebrush. The height of the sagebrush in the center increases as the trail gets further from the junction ranging from 1 foot to 3 inches. This route inexplicably dead ends after ¼ mile (Picture 623009).

Recommendation: The purpose of this route is unclear. We recommend a complete closure. 

Route N2114

Route description: This route is a small connector that begins at a junction with the Bristlecone Pine Road at a large pullout at the route’s north end (Picture 623001).

Narrative summary: This route travels south from the north junction with the main road for ~ 1/4 mile where it crosses the main road and then continues off-road for another 100 yards as a shortcut back to the main road (Picture 623003). The route is rocky and steep with instances of ephemeral gullying, making it difficult to see tracks to identify type and level of use (623002). The dominant vegetation along the trail is pinon-juniper, while there are both slow-growing (i.e. currant and sagebrush with maximum height of 6 inches) and annuals (phlox and lily with maximum height of 1 foot) in the center.

Recommendation: The purpose of this route is unclear. There are no opportunities for campsites, vistas or access to trails off of this route and it provides an unnecessary connection between two segments of the main road. We recommend revegetation and removal from the inventory.  

Route N2121

*shown as crossing the Bristlecone Pine Rd and connecting with routes east of the road
 
Route description: This spur begins 1 mile south of Grandview campground and heads south and west off of the main Bristlecone Pine Road (Picture 623011).

Narrative summary: At its beginning from the Bristlecone Pine Road there is extensive ephemeral gullying as the routes meet (Picture 623012). One-tenth of a mile from the junction with the main road, there is a low-use spur road (that we designated F002) heading east of Route N2121 that appears to go down a drainage for an undetermined distance (Picture 623013). Route N2121 is a rocky and sandy route with a low to moderate amount of use, full-size vehicle tracks on the route and motorcycle tracks off of the designated route. The sandy soil along the route is not very stable and there is evidence of erosion and gullying for the length of it (Picture 623016). The dominant vegetation along the trail is pinon-juniper, while the center is very sparsely vegetated with slow-growing plants (i.e. sagebrush) reaching a maximum height of 6 inches. Phlox and sego lily were also identified in the center. We identified 2 camp sites along this route. Both camp sites have fire rings, a low level of use and are stable (Picture 623014, 623015). Both had little sign of recent use.

Recommendation: The purpose of this route may be to access both campsites, however, this type of access is unnecessary because of the route’s proximity to Grandview campground. This route and the campsites have not been used often or recently. We recommend complete closure or at least closure of the spur near the beginning.

Route N2135

Route description: Spur off of Z1819, joining with N2136.

Narrative summary: This route is rocky and sandy and shows signs of low use. We observed remnants of motorcycle tracks on the route, however, no signs of recent use. The dominant vegetation along the trail is pinon-juniper, while the center is very sparsely vegetated with slow-growing plants (i.e. sagebrush) reaching a maximum height of 6 inches. Phlox, sego lily, bitterbrush, globe mallow, Indian paintbrush, and larkspur were also identified in the center. We saw coyote prints and scat in the route. We identified 2 camp sites along the spur (N2136) off of this route. Both camp sites have fire rings, a low level of use and are stable (Picture 623021). Both had no sign of recent use and it was not clear why camp sites were needed along this route.

Recommendation: The purpose of this route may be to access the campsites; however, this type of access is unnecessary because of the route’s proximity to Grandview campground. This route has not recently been used and the campsites show no sign of use. We recommend complete closure of the route and the spur.

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