2023 Has been a great year for our trail systems, as we were able to accomplish quite a bit.
For Whissenhunt, Trail Captains James and Nathen Wascher were successful in working with the USFS to mark the bulk of the Whissenhunt trails system 1 – Way. For 2024, the USFS Blueridge District applied for the entire motorized trail grant funds available, $1.2 Million, in support of all the OHVs on the Blueridge District. This will include Whissenhunt OHV, Davenport OHV and Beesly Knob. Some of the items we are targeting with this grant at Whissenhunt are to finish the re-route on Trail J, get the beginner trail installed, possibly installing a pavilion, and expanding the parking lot.
Trail Captain Bob Connett organized some successful workdays at Davenport, in between all the rain weekends, where we were able to get in some larger equipment for moving lots and lots of gravel and eliminate most, if not every, standing water hole. We are in discussions with the USFS on getting some size limiting barriers, and with the motorized trail grant mentioned above, we hope to install a new culvert in a low-lying area, begin work on a trail re-route to stop the use of the old road heading back to the lake, adding a pavilion, trash cans and adding a bathroom vault.
Houston Valley is the next Georgia OHV GARTRA is focusing its efforts to convert to a 1-way trail system. Trail Captain Larry Odom has developed a preliminary plan/trail layout and submitted that to the USFS. Early in 2024 we hope to begin more detailed discussions with the USFS on implementing the necessary steps for this long process. The long-term goal, if everything is approved, would be to mark the trail system 1 – way while it is closed for the winter months late 2024 – early 2025. Having the system open in the spring of 2025 with the OHV marked 1 – way is still in the planning stages, but we are making progress. There will most likely be a public comment period for this possible change, and we could use all the support available from the riding community. So, if and when you see the notice for public comment, please respond and encourage everyone you ride with to do the same.
For Windy Gap, Trail Captain Ryan Morgan is working with the USFS on getting some size limiting barriers as well as a few signs installed with clear marking of the proper use of this trail system.
Oakey Mountain has had some size limiting posts installed, we completed the loading ramp in the south parking lot, replaced the information kiosk in the south lot, and installed the Trail head signs at the entrances from the main roads leading into the OHV parking areas. Trail Captain Frank Spencer has retired from his normal day job this year, and he’s finding he is busier in retirement then when he was working for a paycheck.
Town Creek got some major trail hardening completed, and Trail Captain Chris Fowler got a very gracious donation from USFS for new chain saws and supplies. Co-trail Captain Holly LaCoy was able to run a few of the workdays while Chris was doing his day job, which assisted with the completion of the trail hardening in the time needed by the USFS to close out our part of their previous OHV Grant.
We were finally able to get back into Locust Stake and have had two workdays there in 2023. James Rouhani has volunteered to be our new trail captain at Locust Stake once we finally get the place back open.
GARTRA Website Updated
The GARTRA Website got a major, long overdue, refresh from our web site administrators, Mary Abernathy and Bruce Dreher.
GARTRA Special Events
Holly organized an awesome Highland Park GARTRA Member appreciation ride this year.
GARTRA Meetings at Supporting Dealerships
GARTRA held three of our board meetings at shops (Wooly’s) and ride area’s (Iron Mountain). Adding a bit of variety to the normal meet and eat locations. It was great to get out and have members see some of the local business that are supporting GARTRA. Bobby Woodbridge from Wooly’s Cycle of Atlanta is always a gracious and generous supporter of GARTRA.
Yamaha Grant Application
GARTRA has applied for a Yamaha grant (Outdoor Access Initiative) of $30,000 in support of the materials and tools needed for our six trail captains in support of the OHVs we are maintaining. The latest update from Yamaha on this application is, “a grant is forthcoming, the details of which are being determined.” This grant will be a huge boost for our trail captains in bolstering the tools they will have on hand for volunteers to utilize at our workdays. Some of the existing tools are quite worn and in need of replacement and some additional tools are needed with the larger turnouts from volunteers.
Trail Equipment Purchases
GARTRA purchased three new trailers, slightly larger, with double axels, to replace some of the original GARTRA trailers that were purchased over 20 years ago. We have sold two of the old trailers, already recovering part of cost of the newer trailers.
Dualsport Committee
A Dual Sport ride Committee was formed (John Medicus committee chairman) Our Dual Sport fundraising rides raised +$19000 this year.
USFS Chainsaw Safety Certifications
We have been chasing our Sawyer Certifications for many years, both renewing our expired ones and getting some new members certified. This year we got six of seven of our existing sawyers re-certified and got 6 new sawyers certified.
GARTRA Membership is UP!
GARTRA’s member count for 2023 is now up to 179 current members.
Recognition of our ‘Trail Ambassador’ Volunteers with 20 or more hours
Now for the best part of this year’s update and the information I am most proud of GARTRA for to report: In 2020 we had 16 members with +20 hours receiving their free parking passes. In 2021 that number increased to 17, in 2022 we grew that to 24 and in 2023 we now have 29 members who have contributed more than 20 volunteer hours this year earning their parking pass and Trail Ambassador status.
GARTRA’s total Volunteer Hours for the past years have been 1004.5 hours in 2020, 1545 hours in 2021, 1738 hours in 2022, and finally in 2023 GARTRA has contributed 2009.5 volunteer hours to our OHVs in Georgia. WHAT A YEAR!
One additional bit of thanks and recognition is to our board. GARTRA’s board has kept the club running, growing our membership, and growing our support of more OHV areas. These are the guys/gals are in the background that keep everything running. Chris Fowler is our Vice-President, Sam Shaw is our Treasurer, Ryan Morgan is our Secretary, Bruce Dreher is our State Liaison. Our additional board members are John Medicus, Hannah Shilling, Nathen Wascher, and Scott Abernathy. With the crazy times we are living in many ride areas are being closed and clubs are becoming less and less. It is awesome to see that GARTRA is growing year over year and the ride areas we support are staying open, growing, and improving year over year. We have an excellent working relationship with the USFS and I see nothing but even more great things in the years to come.
GARTRA Trail Ambassadors for 2023
Below is the list of volunteers who received their free parking passes and Trail Ambassador status for 2023. If you see them out and about give them a nod, shake their hand, or just say thanks to let them know you appreciate their efforts.
| Name | Hours Worked in 2023 |
| Matt Adams | 23 |
| Ronnie Ager | 23 |
| Frank Spencer | 24 |
| Jeff Nixon | 24 |
| Ryan Morgan | 24 |
| Bill Pingpank | 24.5 |
| Bret Livengood | 27 |
| James Rouhani | 27 |
| Larry Odom | 32.5 |
| Eric Frey | 33 |
| Paul Parker | 34.5 |
| Logan Bashford | 35 |
| Shanon Wood | 38.5 |
| John Medicus | 42 |
| Philip Blcher | 43 |
| Sam Shaw | 45 |
| Nathan Wascher | 45.5 |
| Blake Henry | 53 |
| Bruce Dreher | 56.5 |
| James Wascher | 62.5 |
| Chris Fowler | 63 |
| Colt Abernathy | 63 |
| Mary Abernathy | 63 |
| Scott Abernathy | 63 |
| Holly LaCoy | 71.5 |
| Emery Victor | 95 |
| Mike Weaver | 100 |
| Bob Connett | 122 |
| Bill Shilling | 137.5 |