[pct-l] Mt. Bikes on the trail

[Lars Nilsson]

That has always been the response from bikers and ATV users. At what
point have we compromised our way to no public lands that haven't been
torn up by machines?

 

If you keep compromising, at some point you'll have nothing left to
concede.

 

"Public Lands" use is dictated by the Public.  Increasingly wilderness
use is day use or weekend use.  If the numbers of those in the public
see us as gatekeepers, keeping others out for our own provincial
desires, even if those desires are altruistically intended to benefit
future generations, then they will be more inclined to sweep aside our
desires.  Increasing access AND APPRECIATION of wilderness might be the
best way of protecting wilderness.  Like it or not the wilderness
changes along with the surrounding country.  The California grizzly bear
is only found on our state flag.  Muir hut and other buildings, the
signs that help guide us, even the trails we walk on are the result of
machines or tools.  We will only appreciate the wildness of nature as we
interact with it, but even that interaction changes nature.  Even our
footsteps alter the landscape. 

 

 

Lars Nilsson

TrailSnail

  _____  

From: Jerry Goller [mailto:jerrygoller at backpackgeartest.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 8:51 AM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Mt. Bikes on the trail

 

That has always been the response from bikers and ATV users. At what
point have we compromised our way to no public lands that haven't been
torn up by machines?

 

If you keep compromising, at some point you'll have nothing left to
concede. 

 

Jerry

 

http://www.BackpackGearTest.org <http://www.backpackgeartest.org/>  :
the most comprehensive interactive gear reviews and tests on the planet.

 

 

  _____  

From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Lars Nilsson
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 8:26 AM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Mt. Bikes on the trail

"There's an assault brewing on the parks here. The ORV and mountain bike
crowd are trying to get the Mill Creek Addition to Del Norte Coast
Redwoods SP opened to them. Do any of you have pictures of trail damage
caused by ORVs and mt. bikes, particularly in far northern California
and southern Oregon -- PCT or trails west."

I hike, but my sons bike.  They are courteous and stay mainly on fire
roads but do enjoy single track riding as well.  They resent the
outright banning of bikes on certain trails.  There are "bad apples" in
all groups.  There are wannabee ultralight backpackers who allow their
alcohol stoves to blow over in wind and start fires, causing far more
damage than fat tires.  There are hikers who insist they are "stealthy"
enough that bears will never find their food and so they don't need
those pesky, heavy bear cans.  Too few of us truly practice "leave NO
trace;" do we ban backpackers or demand personal responsibility and
concern/respect for the back country from all who enter?

I am not suggesting that we pave the trails or put up neon signs, but
there should be some compromise that allows more people to enjoy the
land in their own way.  Woody Guthrie sang "this land was made for you
and me".  As hikers we recognize HYOH to mean that for some the fastest
wins as does the last one to Canada (assuming Campo is your trailhead). 

 

Lars Nilsson

TrailSnail

 

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