[jmw]

We struggle keeping traffic off the trails after we've received a lot of rain...we have some issues to work out including consolidating points of entry, but mainly I wondering what signs other trail systems employ to educate riders and keep riders off after the rain?

 

[seenvic]

We've never really had to deal with that until now. We've always had plenty of miles of trail and a relatively small riding population.

Then we built a new trail w/ 25 miles of bumps, berms and jumps. It gets 10 times the use of any of other trails. People are driving here for hours to ride it. It's popular beyond our wildest predictions.

Then we got 7 inches of rain between Christmas Eve and last week. We did our best to keep it closed w/ signs and flagging tape. And it worked for 90-95% of the people. But we still had too many people riding the freshly built and relatively soft tread. Some tread cupping and places holding water simply because of this use when soft.

So we asked the USFS to close it for two months. Within 48 hours, we had a Supervisor Order. When the USFS put it up yesterday, we still had our trail closed signs up and flagging tape across the trail in 4 places visible from the trailhead. The USFS guy said there we two cars w/ bike racks parked there....probably riding.

He said he was going there today to start writing tickets.

The sad thing is it's beautiful today...and probably ok to ride. But now its closed to everyone until probably March because of the actions of a few.

 

[jmw]

seenvic,
that sucks, but goes to show how a few people can ruin it for everybody....

anyone have examples of signs they use at their trail that help to educate or warn riders to stay off the trail?

We stick to the 24/1 rule around here: For each inch of rain, give the trail 24 hrs to dry...it's not a hardfast rule since some places drain better than others, but it gives something to go by....

 

[Drevil]

seenvic,
that sucks, but goes to show how a few people can ruin it for everybody....

anyone have examples of signs they use at their trail that help to educate or warn riders to stay off the trail?

We stick to the 24/1 rule around here: For each inch of rain, give the trail 24 hrs to dry...it's not a hardfast rule since some places drain better than others, but it gives something to go by....

 

[jmw]

that might just work!!

 

[imba_pete]

Sample Signs

A few sample mud signs. One key is offering alternate routes.

 

[jmurray]

The only problem with signs that you have to change (i.e. open/closed) is that you have to have someone that can consistently be at the trails to open or close the trails. That person has to have the authority to do this granted from the land owner/manager. Even then people who drive 45 minutes to the trail head are not going to obey the signs.

I really like the "trail conditions hot line" the WORCA has. But a club needs to reach a critical mass before it can attempt to do this.

For our area we'll have to rely on education for now. Which is a good approach regardless. We're going to be putting up some ettiquette signs soon that outline the proper rules for (not) riding in the shoulder seasons, and when things are wet.

 

[Mudd]

Sure beats this sign....