The Pacific Crest Trail ranges from Canada to Mexico, running through Washington, Oregon, and California along the way, traversing not one but seven units of the National Park System in the process.
On its way north and south portions of the trail touch or run through parts of Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, Devils Postpile National Monument, Crater Lake National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and North Cascades National Park.
While mountain bikers are not supposed to use the Pacific Crest Trail, recently some have been poaching sections in California. While the poaching did not occur in any national park sections, some have concerns that a rule currently pending in the Interior Department could open more national park trails to mountain bikes and, in the process, lead to the following scenario.
In its February issue, the PCT Communicator, the magazine of the Pacific Crest Trail Association, reported on trail damage committed by mountain bikes near the Parks Creek Trailhead in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in California.
From Big Bear to the Tehachapi Mountains in southern California, to Donner Summit and the Sierra Buttes north of Lake Tahoe, to Castle Crags and beyond, mountain bikes on the trail are causing damage and creating a number of "PCT Places in Need."
According to the trail association, "under U.S. Government regulation, bikes are prohibited in the PCT. The rationale for the prohibition of bicycles is based on the "nature and purpose" of the PCT, as dictated by the intent of Congress with the National Trails System Act and subsequent regulations designed to protect the experience of the primary users. The Code of Federal Regulations (36 CRF 212) directs that "The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail as defined by the National Trails Systems Act, 82 Stat. 919, shall be administered primarily as a footpath and horseback riding trail."
"Unfortunately, however, U.S. regulations and regulators have not, thus far, been able to fully curb the illegal use of the PCT by mountain bikers," adds the article. "The resulting trail damage and user conflicts can't be taken lightly. To complicate matters, bikes are permitted on many trails that lead to the PCT, resulting in bikers reaching the PCT on such trails and then proceeding along the PCT to pick up another feeder trail. Given land management agency staffing and budget issues, policing and enforcement is sorely lacking."
The article goes on to point out the problems associated with mountain bikes on the Pacific Crest Trail: the trail was not engineered to handle mountain bike traffic, it can be easily and quickly ripped up by bikes riding in wet and muddy conditions, erosion problems can arise.
"I can't stress enough the importance of responsible trail users reporting illegal uses of the PCT," says Ian Nelson, the trail association's regional representative for northern California and southern Oregon. "It is crucial that we hear from concerned users so that we and our agency partners can strategize as to how to curb the illegal use."
Comments
Rick, if you actually read the PCT listserv lately, you would see how this debate is actually quite relevant. Happy reading. :)
Anonymous -
Ultimately the judge decides.
Your example of taxes, fish/hunt lic, drive, auto ins is flawed. It would be unreasonable to resit any of those laws. The courts look at each case on its own merit and it is my experience that the majority of judges and law enforcement that are brought into this issue feel that cycling on the PCT is not unreasonable, prosecution is.
Jay - Ultimately the judge follows the law.
Zeb, just because it appeared on the pct listserve doesn't mean it's true.
Steve. You make a good point, but it is. The review process is slated to start sometimes early next year.
I think it is absolutely absurd to declare that horseback riding is less harmful to the trail than a mountain bike. Horse shit all over, eat vegetation, leave gaping holes and ruts, often carry rude drunks with guns as the trample down everything in their path. Mountain bikes are far more ginger with a trail or path than horses. This stance of its to protect the trail is bullshit. It's mearly elitist "not in my backyard" Trail nazis to hoard the trail to themselves.. By limiting its use to hapless 20 some things with no job or obligations and retired old dentists to enjoy the PCTs beauty via a 5 month foot traffic trek. They know allowing bikes on the trail would increase its popularity exponentially and this making their epic coveted journey not that epic when any biker could complete it in just over a months duration.
Seeing as this article was originally posted in 2009, I'll take a moment to jump through the still open window and suggest everyone re-read the original Act put forth by Congress in 1968. If you take a look at Section 3(b), the act makes clear its goal (as it repeats throughout the document) to create "extended trails so located as to provide for maximum outdoor recreation potential..."
If you read the entire Act you must come away with the impression that the writers wanted the most amount of people to enjoy the land, especially in urban areas. They do not suggest that the trails should be hidden away with difficult access for selected user groups. They simply do not take that position. What they do say, is that they want lots of people to access it and they spend lots of time explaining who has control over it and what jurisdiction resides with whom so that everyone knows who decides what land can be taken for that purpose. The one group they clearly restrict are motorized vehicles (sorry motocross!)
That being said, I think we can all agree that none of us want the trails to be trashed. None of us want bikes, hooves, or feet trampling down vegetation needlessly or rutting up, blowing out, or otherwise tearing apart the trail. So let's do what we do with all out other trails that are multiuser and put good thought into its creation, grade planning, and sustainability. And when we find a section that is not holding up well under the use, redesign and improve it for the user groups that are using it.
Remember, while the PCT and the AT are big, long national trails, they are also local trails for countless local users. When I ride the PCT, I treat it with the same respect I do all my other local trails. I manage my speed so I don't skid or run people down, I don't ride when it's muddy, I put in trail workdays and I pick up trash when I find it. Please don't assume the lowest common denominator about me as a cyclist, just as I won't assume you are the hiker that builds illegal campfires and drops your used TP right next to the trail or that because you are on a horse you are a drunk gun-toting crazy person (WTF Amy?)
Without access to my trail systems, I would be living a much less healthy lifestyle. When I encounter any other trail user, I assume a common bond immediately. I feel confident to say that most people recreating on trail systems have a similar physical and mental health need. They may not all be educated on appropriateness and their role on impact. So let's start there and create more education and an empowered local community orientation to the trail management rather than leave it in the hands of a few trying to make the decisions for the many. The PCT and the AT can be many things for many people. Where I live, we the people are very capable of maintaining the trail for all users.
This idea that bikes are not allowed on the PCT...I just don't see it in the Act. I hear it in the voices, but I don't see the justification for it and I do not see the intent within the original declaration of a National Trail System.