Ever get a parking ticket in the ANF from the CVB?
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2017 12:17 am
Camped out overnight at Chilao this weekend. First weekend of hunting season meant that pretty much all campgrounds were full but found an overflow spot, paid the fee and had a pleasant night.
The next morning, went to do a little hike in the vicinity of Horse Flats campground and Mt. Hillyar and was specifically told by Chilao visitor center rangers that parking in turnouts on this road is okay, just be sure not to block road, campsites, trailheads etc. Found a wide shoulder marked with many other vehicle tire tracks from parking, no posted parking restrictions, left car out of the roadway on shoulder. Came back to a $130 ticket from the somewhat Kafkaesque sounding Central Violations Bureau, no mention of Forest Service, only addresses in Pennsylvania and Texas. No way to contact a human being. Seems that you either pay up now or wait to receive a court summons and then try to contest it at some federal courthouse. It's worded in very intimidating ways describing the revocation of driving license, etc.
When I showed it to the forest service folks, they seemed just as baffled as I was. The violation described is "vehicle in area not specifically developed for vehicle parking" or something like that. Ever seen one of these? Is it something issued by forest rangers, county sheriffs, caltrans, game wardens, overzealous camp operators, self-appointed enforcers or whom? Was I technically off-roading?
Thanks!
The next morning, went to do a little hike in the vicinity of Horse Flats campground and Mt. Hillyar and was specifically told by Chilao visitor center rangers that parking in turnouts on this road is okay, just be sure not to block road, campsites, trailheads etc. Found a wide shoulder marked with many other vehicle tire tracks from parking, no posted parking restrictions, left car out of the roadway on shoulder. Came back to a $130 ticket from the somewhat Kafkaesque sounding Central Violations Bureau, no mention of Forest Service, only addresses in Pennsylvania and Texas. No way to contact a human being. Seems that you either pay up now or wait to receive a court summons and then try to contest it at some federal courthouse. It's worded in very intimidating ways describing the revocation of driving license, etc.
When I showed it to the forest service folks, they seemed just as baffled as I was. The violation described is "vehicle in area not specifically developed for vehicle parking" or something like that. Ever seen one of these? Is it something issued by forest rangers, county sheriffs, caltrans, game wardens, overzealous camp operators, self-appointed enforcers or whom? Was I technically off-roading?
Thanks!