Posse Gallops After Bad Guys

On the Lookout
Board vice president Robert Lynk says surprise patrols on horseback into the High Country have helped to thwart vandalism and trespassing. The rides also make it much easier pinpointing pipeline leaks and other maintenance problems.

"On horseback, you have a unique vantage point," he said. "You're able to spot things you couldn't while driving around in a vehicle. The posse plays a vital role in the mountains."

The volunteer San Gorgonio Pass Posse, under the auspices of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, patrols Jensen Canyon and other isolated areas south of Cabazon.

These patrols aren't just another easy trail ride. There are places where one slip could mean tumbling to the bottom of a steep, rocky, ravine. For their part, the volunteers remain dedicated and vigilant.

"In the wilderness, we're the eyes and ears for the water district," says Dick Hamilton, president of the San Gorgonio Pass Posse.

Posse Power
As they guide their horses along narrow trails, posse members can encounter the unexpected.

They've run across people and their dogs swimming in what will become Cabazon's drinking water. They've also found trespassers blasting away in areas where target practice is illegal, Hamilton said. But most people respect the posse's authority and move along when asked.

"If you handle it right and you're civil, they usually comply," Hamilton says.

And there's something about riding up on a 1,000 pound animal and keeping the reins tight.

"The presence of a horse takes the power out of people," Hamilton said. "It seems to help them on their way if they were lollygagging a bit."

In an emergency, the posse can radio the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. Hamilton, who was seven years old when he got his first horse, often rides his Tennessee Walker named Cody up into the mountains.

"The further you ride, the better he likes it," Hamilton says. "He's a fast mover and covers a lot of ground."