Work Weekend is Planned At Halsey

PLEASE!!! WE NEED YOUR HELP!!

The Halsey Trails Committee is announcing the second annual work weekend planned for the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey on Friday April 15th and Saturday April 16th.

ANYONE who wishes to become involved and all trail users are encouraged to participate! Let’s all work together to make trails at the Nebraska National Forest better for everyone!

If all the work is not completed the first two days, we will work a little bit on Sunday, April 17th. If the weather cooperates, work days will begin each day at 10 AM. A snowy weekend most likely will result in a postponement.

For each work day, please meet at the Group camp ground located in the camp ground. To get to the Group camp ground, enter the main camp ground and drive along the picnic area, past the information station and then travel between the two large stone pillars on each side of the road. Once you are past the stone pillars, take the road that curves to the right and follow to the group camp ground. Park in the group camp ground. The more people we have to help, the more we will get done!

A planning weekend camp out is scheduled for the weekend of April 1st and 2nd . Contact Dan Nitzel for more information or look for his Colorado 5th wheel camper in the main camp ground April 1st and 2nd.

It is hoped that many of trail users involved with the Halsey Trails Committee will be involved with the trail work days. Members of the Halsey Trails Committee include various multiple use trail users such as ATV riders, dirtbike riders, equestrian (horse), hikers, jeep and 4x4 enthusiasts. It is our hope that the various interests will be able to work on trail related projects that involve the activity that they enjoy, or that benefit everyone.

At this time, the focus of the work weekend on April 15th thru 17th and thus far involves working on ATV and dirtbike related trails. It is hoped that various projects for various trail users will be planned during the planning weekend. Exact details will be announced after that weekend. Last year, volunteers for interested groups other than ATV riders did not participate. If any horse related projects are identified, the meeting location will be determined during the planning weekend as the Bessey camp ground is not designed to accommodate equestrian trail enthusiasts.

NOHVA will be involved in the repair of damaged areas caused by ATV and dirtbike riders and to do some maintenance to the existing Dismal River Trail. Details of ATV and dirtbike related work include blocking off of un-authorized hill climbs and trails with trees and fencing, re-seeding the disturbed area and raking over the seed. The cattle gates need to be dug out for the season and approaches to the gates need to be improved. What little trash there is along the trails needs to be picked up. NOHVA will supply the materials for ATV and dirtbike trail plans. Please bring the following items IF you have them: flat end shovels, hard tooth rakes, maybe a chain saw and of course your ATV or dirtbike! 4x4 ATVs with trailers are a BIG PLUS. Many of the areas are accessible by pickup truck.

There will be free camping in the group camp ground for NOHVA members who plan to camp on April 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th . Motels are also available in Halsey at the Stockade Motel, only two miles away. If you would like to help with this, or for more information, please contact the NOHVA business office or the Forest Service office in Halsey.

Any one who is interested in preserving trails at the Nebraska National Forest is encouraged to attend and help! NOHVA Business Office: Email or call 308-381-2143.

This web site is paid with volunteer membership contributions to the Nebraska Off Highway Vehicle Association (NOHVA).

Since 2002, the Nebraska Off Highway Vehicle Association (NOHVA) has spent $9,699 on trail maintenance and related projects at the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey. Funding for two other projects in Nebraska totaled $25,602 since 2002. These funds were raised by voluntary $25 single and $30 family membership fee’s paid by ATV and dirtbike riders, and from family events like our jamborees and swap meets organized for ATV and dirtbike riders.

If you ride an ATV or dirtbike for recreation in Nebraska on public land, please consider a NOHVA membership so we can continue to help Nebraska’s three most popular public ATV and dirtbike areas. For membership information, visit www.nohva.com  for membership information or call 308-381-2143 and ask that a new membership information packet be mailed to you.