[pct-l] Section E Expediton Impressions

[dsaufley at sprynet.com (dsaufley)]

There is a problem with logs/rocks in the trail -- bikes go around them,
creating additional damage, usually on the hillsides they are meant to
protect.  Any type of bike device must be strategically placed so to make it
impossible for the bikes to go around, and that is sometimes difficult to
find.  The other consideration is that it must also be navigable by horses.
These two musts make it very difficult to put up workable blockades in some
of the most damaged areas.  

The best way to keep the bikes off the trail is to have enforcement of the
laws with footed or mounted patrols issuing tickets with meaningful fines
and bike confiscation for repeat offenders. We've had citizen driven
complaints here in AD, and the irony is that the only way the Sheriff (the
local authority) can catch and write up the dirt bike offenders is by riding
a dirt bike themselves . . . 

L-Rod

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Tortoise
Sent: Saturday, November 26, 2005 6:13 PM
To: Hiker97@aol.com; pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Section E Expediton Impressions

Random thoughts about dirt bikes, etc. on the trail.

My "ideal" solution would be to string piano wire across the trail about 
neck high for a rider on a trail bike with some markings so a slow 
moving person on foot would see it and take appropriate evasive move, 
but the biker . . . .

Now more seriously, I'm wondering about leaving some decent size logs or 
rocks crosswise on the trail.  Something that a hiker could easily step 
over (and hopefully also horses, etc.) while forcing the bikers to at 
least dismount and lessen their joy of tearing down trails.

As to trail markers, I suggest using diamonds cut from aluminum 
beer/soda cans. No markings, just a "blaze". Hikers would know they are 
on the trail but the markers would have little or no souviner value so 
less likely to be taken.

----------
Tortoise

I switched to Mac OSX rather than fight Windows
Using Mozilla Thunderbird  http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird/

Hiker97@aol.com wrote:
> Several weeks ago when on the big Section E expedition, I noticed a lot of

> dirt bike damage to the trail between Lake Hughes and Hwy. 138.  Not all
parts 
> of the trial, but a lot of parts.  The later rain erosions and damage
these 
> vehicles do is amazing.  In some places the bike erosion almost made  the 
> trail seem impassable.  It wasn't, but you kind of felt that way.
>  
> I also noticed the fine work of cutting back trail brush that the Trail  
> Maintainers do too.  Very nice to walk through heavy brush sections and
have the 
> it cut far back from the trail.  Of course, I wanted more PCT  signs.
They 
> are always a spirit lifter as you are doing tough campaigning  along the
trail.  
> A beacon of hope and renewal.  It is like they say,  "You are on course
and 
> the way is this way.  No problem and you are doing  fine."
>  
> Well, may be I am delusional too.
>  
> Cheers, Switchback
> Trail M&M Candy Inspector & Camp Insulin  Junkie
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