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Fwd: [RC] multi-use trails - Karen SullivanI know our local BLM has a SWECO trailcat, which is a narrow trail-cutting bulldozer and will require a lisenced operator. It can do, in hours, what will take weeks and weeks of hand work. We have been cutting trail in my county for several years, and were lucky enough to have the SWECO for a day and a half. They are great, but can't "replace"dirt in a lot of situation on trails that are really rutted out. While i believe a lot of recreational groups feel they have the right to public lands, I personally don't believe this gives anyone the right to trash or damage it. The line has to be drawn somewhere, and dirt bikes and ORV's belong in areas dedicated to them, and they by far have the biggest slice of available public lands in my county (Lake County in California). I guess we all have thoughts on this since I have put in hours of sweat and energy into reopening and maintaining local trails, I feel I have a pretty strong opinion!! Most trails, especially in our county, ARE derived from old game trails and not originally cut or engineered correctly, therefore more apt to be damaged by overuse or abuse. To a certain extent, trails NEED to be used, or they will disappear. But there is life to trails, and a point where overuse will ruin them. Sorry if it is not PC, but I have been studying and collecting trail damage and conflicts info for a few years, and certain locations and certain types of trails sustain far more damage from certain user groups. There are trails that show definite and substantial damage from mountain bikes, and those which become impassable in wet conditions due to horses. User groups need to have some limits and controls, and I DO NOT belive that all trails are suitable for multi-use. The vast majority of singletrack do not have the right grades, sightlines, footings and width for both bikes and horses, and the added factor of the increased SPEED of a mountain bike raises a definite safety issue. While I will agree that the majority of mountain bikers and even dirt bikers on shared trails are polite and considerate, those that aren't put hikers and horseback riders at a huge risk. Since so many public lands are set aside for ORV use, and maintained by green sticker monies, it seems to be a far better playground for mountain bikes, especially those who are into "Gravity riding" and looking for speed and thrills. Back to horses, those who feel they have the RIGHT to rides on all public lands and don't show any willingness to help with trail maintenance or trail causes, or moderate their use, really set us apart as an elitest group...which damages our cause. One of the easiest things to do is join Back Country Horsemen and help with some trail days, or even trim trail at your own convenience, because BCH collects trail HOURS, and turns them in to the fed. gov, who have a value on the type of work done,which turns out to be millions each year....THIS is what will help the cause of keeping trails open to horses. And, back to common sense, all riders can stay the heck off of public trails in wet and muddy weather, and find other places to ride. In our area, dirt fireroads offer an alternative in the winter, and can be maintained or recut with heavy equipment, unlike singletrack trails. We put caution signs out on some of our trails one winter, REQUESTING that horseback riders not ride our muddy trails in the winter, and they were basically ignored. Even when we attemtped to actually CLOSE the trail, it was ignored. Made me, as a horseback rider, and trail builder, basically hate horseback riders. Since I am venting my opinion here anyway, I don't have much sympathy for dirt bike riders or ORV users. They have far too much access to public lands in my opinion, and sure seem to be a recreational group that turns a blind eye to the damage they do. Some of the damage in the desert will take hundreds of years to repair. Go read some of the comments the ORV users make when BLM attempts to close or reroute trails due to endangered species, or native american artiacts; it's pretty disgusting to hear they don't give a damn except for their own perceived right to tear around wherever they want... Sorry I am jumping around here (too much caffiene), but regarding multi use trail guidelines....here is a good link, from California Equestrian Trails and Land Coalition regarding Safety issues and standards for Multi use trails http://www.calequestriancoalition.com/FinalVerCETLCSafetyGuides.htm A bit more specific than those offered by IMBA (International Mountain Bike Association). As far as horse trails shared with dirt bike trails.....we do have areas in my county where you can ride on the trails where dirt bikes are allowed, but just isn't very safe as there isn't any room to get out of the way....maybe in more open areas it can be done...sure doesn't seem like a good idea to me. I am all for multi use trails where there is sufficient WIDTH, and VISIBILITY and ROOM TO GET OUT OF THE WAY, SPEED LIMITS, etc. Karen On 10/22/08, Merri Melde <merritraveler@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: I've heard that the BLM has some tool/machine to fix trails like this (maybe a Ditch Witch? I don't know), and I've volunteered to do it if they want to show me how. Of course, I have no idea how many miles and trails the motorcycles tore up here that weekend, but I have no problem fixing at least this one I (used to) ride fairly regularly. I worked on trails in the wilderness for the FS for 7 years, so it just makes me cranky when they get torn up - switchbacks cut, parallel trails laid because hikers/riders/bikers don't want to get their feet/hooves/tires muddy, etc - I know the time, budgets, work force, sore muscles, and busted fingers and toes that went into all of it! (though these trails here were probably game trails at first and weren't built by any trail crew). On Wed, Oct 22, 2008 at 8:55 PM, <aarenex@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:Sheila Larson brings up a point which is valid in many situations: we allneed to take care of our trails.My mom always said that there's nothing wrong with complaining about asituation if you have a solution or two to propose....especially if your solution involves rolling up your own shirtsleeves and getting dirty in order to fix things. (actually, her solutions very often involved ME getting tired and dirty, but that's the kind of kid I was anyhow, so things worked out well for everyone). Merri and the gang are already halfway there, because they take care of the trails that they use..Now, to address the damage she documented: These trails are a mess, but they aren't irretrievable. A good landmanager with an adequate budget and a bit of planning time can arrange to fix a lot of this mess, ESPECIALLY if there are volunteers to help. Even better than regular volunteers are volunteers with tools...or (ideal world) volunteers with a Ditch Witch <G> I think all the other Trail Masters will agree with me on that point.Since there are motorcyclists about, I'd ask them to help (maybe one ofthem has a Ditch Witch--hey, you never know!). If they don't have tools, maybe your local horse groups can provide some. If both groups work together to fix and enhance trails, who knows...perhaps it's a step towards World Peace. Or at least, peace on the trails.It wouldn't surprise me a bit. --Aarene (always the optimist) -- Don't just follow where the path may lead. Instead, figure out where you want to go, and build a sustainable trail toget there. --Ron Silvernaarenex@xxxxxxxxxxx =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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