[pct-l] CAMERA ENCOUNTER WITH 3 MB'S ON SECTION D

[Edward Anderson]

Last May I helped Back Country Horseman Ray Drasher during a one-day project to clear some fallen trees that were blocking the PCT on Section D. We are trail-maintenance volunteers. We had ridden south from Vincent Gap and as far south as about three or four miles below Guffy Camp. During our return north, near Blue Ridge, we encountered three Mountain Bikers going south. They were riding at perhaps 15 mph.  Since we were blocking the trail with our three animals (Ray was trailing his mule packed with the chain saws and what would be needed for the trail clearing project.)  My first reaction was to inform them that they were on the PCT - and that it is illegal to ride MB'S on it. Their Reply was that they did not know either that they were on the PCT or that it was illegal for them to use it (innocent). They wanted us to let them by. Of course we would not yield. I told them that they must turn around and exit the PCT.  By then I had started
 taking PICTURES of them as we talked.  They decided to turn back. It turned out that we were only about 300' from where they had left a dirt road. They had passed a PCT post that was clearly marked including the familiar symbol of a bicycle with the red diagonal slash through it. The three of them could not have helped from having seen it and had simply ignored it.  During my PCT ride up from Cajon Pass in 2008, I recall seeing lots of wheel tracks on the PCT. The ascent from Cajon Pass is about 5000' - MBers must love to "fly" down that with a second vehicle parked at the bottom. I don't know that those three intended to do that - but some must. 

The message that I want to contribute to this list is that, if you can, take PHOTOGRAPHS of violators, to document their illegal use of the PCT, most violators will be intimidated and will usually leave the trail. (I know, not necessarily.) The best photographic documentation would be pictures taken at a well-marked PCT TH, showing their vehicle with bike rack and shots of them either starting up the PCT or returning from it and then reloading the bikes. Since this would include both the license plate of their vehicle as well an their face identification, it could be turned over to the nearest Ranger Station.  Are their fines for illegal use of the PCT? If fines exist, they should be posted at TH access locations. That would certainly discourage most illegal use.

Since I cannot attach pictures of the incident described above on the pct-l, I could send them off-list to anyone who would like to see them.

Sincerely,
MendoRider-Hiker