Public heathy safety? Directional trails? Thank goodness we have beer (And Trails)!

We are pretty excited to have continued access to our trails and public lands during this unprecedented time. Eagle County continues to support our access to trails and public lands in the latest public health order. Please help us by respecting these new guidelines. We are in this together to keep our access to trails and maintain the progress we’ve made these last 6 weeks.

In this edition of HTC ramblings, we look at:

  • The new public health order and recreational impact

  • Current directional bike routes for social distancing

  • Defining directional trails and how they might work in Eagle in the future

  • How the “rules of the trails” have helped negotiate the trail access we have

What is the new public health order and how does it impact recreation?

The Town of Eagle placed directional signs on a few trails to direct BIKES ONLY for social distancing. The new public health order still requires 6 feet of social distancing so these signs will stay in place until the order is revised.  Bikers still need to yield to everyone including uphill bikers. Do your best to pass each other where the trails naturally widen to maximize space and protect the trails. Pull up a buff to cover your face to protect the people you are passing. When social distancing is no longer required, Eagle Ranch Loops, Boneyard and LOV will go back to being two-way so everyone can enjoy all the fun ways we explore our trails. 

The public health order also asks us to wash hands, cover your face, stay home when you’re sick, and if you’re sick, get tested immediately. For recreation, not much else has changed. 

  • Eagle County trails are for residents only so continue to stay close to home when recreating.

  • Please keep dogs on leash on all trails.

  • Please do not park on neighborhood streets.

  • Make the health of yourself and others the #1 priority. 

  • Go outside but do so cautiously. 

  • Stay close to home. 

  • Be safe, eliminate risk, wear a buff or mask. 

  • Respect closures, be a steward.

If you are tired of reading the news and are curious to learn more, here are some fun facts and answers to a number of questions we’ve been getting over Facebook, email and our website.

What are the current directional routes for social distancing?

  • Up Boneyard, down Redneck, Pool & Ice. The elk are still hanging out and eating yummy hay on Haymaker. Varsity and Extra Credit are closed for the wildlife. Please stay off Dirt Surfer and Will’s Thrill until the elk move up valley.

  • Up 2nd Gulch and 3rd Gulch

  • Down Mayer

  • Down Riddle and Wall

  • Down (clockwise) Baileys

  • Up Turniphead

  • LOV clockwise from 3rd Gulch to Abrams

Can we keep the directional trails in place after social distancing ends?

Nope. Not on these trails. Eagle Ranch Loops, Boneyard, and LOV have been designed and historically ridden in many directions. Jeff likes to run up Baileys. I like to ride down Boneyard when Pool and Ice is dusty. Laura likes to ride up Bailey’s because it’s a great climb and connector. My husband Greg likes to ride LOV from Abrams because it’s a bit more punchy and jumpy. John loves to ride up Elmers to access Tick Ally and World’s Greatest. We feel it’s not good management to take those choices away by making those trails directional for bikes.

So when do directional trails improve the trail experience for everyone? Below is some background. And if you are really interested, here’s a 98 page PDF that explores how IMBA and the BLM are working to define Quality Trail Experience for us all, now and into the future as trail building progresses.

A directional trail means there is a suggested riding direction for bikes. On shared-use trails, like ours, other area have implemented this with signs like “this trail is more fun if you ride this way.” Trails are still two-way traffic and bikers must still yield to hikers, horses and runners and uphill bikers should they encounter them. A directional trail can be really helpful to visiting users in planning fun routes. It doesn’t give bikers a green light to go as fast as they want as consequences for collisions still exist.

A down-hill trail means “downhill only” with restrictions on uphill traffic for bikes. Hikers and horses are encouraged to use that trail “at their own risk” due to high-speed traffic. A down-hill designation changes the trail type from shared-use to preferred-use. While preferred-use trails allow two or more user types to access a trail, they are designed to primarily accommodate the experience of only one of the users- in this case bikes. This type of trail can work when a new trail is planned with this designation and the community supports it. Other groups have implemented this safely with signage at the top and bottom that clearly states:

  • Bikes: Down-Hill Only (at the bottom “Do Not Enter- No Uphill Traffic” should be added)

  • Hikers and Horses: High Speed Traffic - Enter at Your Own Risk

"Are there trails that we can designate as down-hill only in Eagle?"

HTC has started the conversation with the BLM and our community. We are evaluating trail usage, signage, safety, and access across all our user groups so that any recommendation will actually make our trails more fun for everyone. We are also discussing what current trails, if any, would fit the bill along with planning for future trails and trail alignments. More to come in May on this topic.

As always, assume others are out and about and ride under control.

Why are the “Rules of the Trails” so important to follow? 

Our trails are designated shared-use because they allow two or more distinct user groups to access a trail and best accommodate the needs of the broadest array of users. Sharing helps build a trail community as everyone is encouraged to cooperate to protect a common resource, establish mutual respect and inspire courtesy. Shared-use trails take better advantage of available space and trail mileage with less environmental impact. Quite simply, they provide more trails for everyone to enjoy. It is how we have negotiated the access and trails we have today with the Town of Eagle, landowners, BLM, CPW and NFS.

Why do bikes have to yield to everyone?

Back when mountain biking was just getting started, IMBA launched its Rules of the Trail in 1988 to educate mountain bikers and serve as a pro-bike advocacy tool. These guidelines for responsible riding have been adopted by land-management agencies nationwide. These rules are a critical agreement in the negotiation process to get the trail access we all enjoy today. All of us have critical impacts on the landscape, the trails, the animals and other trail users so to make sure we all play nice, it was agreed that we share the trail by:

  • Bikers yield to hikers and horses 

  • Hikers also yield to horses because, you know, they are riding horses

  • Bikers also have to yield to uphill riders because it just makes sense

Please know the rules, share the rules and most important, get outside and share a beer (with someone in your household of course!) Have a great weekend!

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Nicole Asselin