Courtesy John Fielder, 'Colorado Continent'
ONE AT A TIME: When in fragile environments, hike single file to avoid creating side trails.
Courtesy Winter Park Resort
BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS: Mountain bikers should slow down to the pace of a jogger.Riding fast by other trail users sends a bad message.
Miles Blumhardt/The Coloradoan
RIGHT OF WAY: If you take your dog along on a trail, keep it on a leash so it doesn't impede other trail users. Right, bikers need to be in control at all times, especially in areas where visibility is limited.
Coloradoan library
DOING IT RIGHT: Hiking switchbacks properly causes less wear and tear on you and the land.
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Good weather, good mountain biking and hiking, and lots of trail users is a recipe for a dust storm of conflicts on trails.
Officials and trail users are already seeing problems slipping into high gear on trails, especially at lower elevations while higher trails are still wet, muddy or covered with snow.
"I mountain bike, jog and hike, and have noticed some problems on the trails, such as not yielding, leaving trash, not wearing helmets, etc.," Deja Macias said.
"I think we all need to be reminded again on how to share the trails, keep them clean and how to be safe," Macias said.
Here are some trail rules provided by the Ridge to Rivers Trail System and the International Mountain Bicycling Association:
Everyone
Share the trails and be courteous. Respect the other trail user's experience. Where possible, step off the trail and give others the right of way.
Don't go cross country or on pathways that are not designated trails. This only destroys natural areas or impedes the rehabilitation of damaged areas.
Avoid muddy trails.
Don't widen trails by passing off trail or trying to avoid mud puddles on wet and muddy trails. Each time a trail user moves off-trail to pass, it beats down more vegetation and creates a wider trail and the resulting erosion. "Be sensitive to the dirt beneath you," says the International Mountain Bicycling Association.
Don't trespass. Be aware of trail signs in the foothills.
Don't cut switchbacks. It causes a scar on the land and erosion.
Keep your dog on a leash where appropriate and under control elsewhere to avoid accidents with other hikers or mountain bikers. A dog can trip a hiker, spook a horse or cause a mountain biker to wreck.
Don't allow your dog to chase wildlife or livestock.
Don't allow your dogs to run through sensitive streambeds or wetlands where they will disturb wildlife. Some places allow dogs on leash, although many national parks don't allow pets at all. Make sure you know the regulations before you go.
Carry water for your dog to avoid having the dog run down to a stream to get a drink. It may seem harmless, but just think of dozens and dozens of dogs running down to the stream and the resulting erosion and disturbance of wildlife.
Actually, let your dog carry its own water in a pack. You also can include a collapsible dog dish and some snacks. And, you can let the dog pack out trash you find along the trail.
Carry Mutt Mitts to pick up after your dog. This is especially a problem at trailheads.
Park in designated areas at trailheads. Don't just park on the shoulder of narrow mountain roads.
Pick up your trash.
Leave gates as you find them.
Avoid wildlife. Look, but don't stalk and disturb.
When coming upon horse riders, be especially careful. Strike up a conversation and talk in a normal voice. Be friendly. Let the horses know that you are human. Then, ask the horse riders what they want you to do.
Hikers
Be alert in congested areas. When possible, step off the trail for an approaching mountain biker.
Mountain bikers
Be alert for hikers, dogs and horseback riders.
Don't speed in congested areas.
Keep on your toes. Be in control. One millisecond of inattention on a mountain trail can spell disaster. Most foothills mountain-bike accidents are self-inflicted.
Don't create new jumps off trail.
When coming upon hikers, slow down to the pace of a jogger or stop, even if the hikers get off the trail. Riding fast sends a bad message and adds to the fuel of closing trails to bicycles.
Don't surprise hikers or other bicyclists on the trail. Let fellow trail users know you are approaching, either in a calm voice or with a bell.
Anticipate other trail users around bends, in blind spots or over the crest of hills.
The downhill rider should yield to the uphill rider. The downhill rider should stop and move off trail.
A good general rule is "the closer to town, slow it down."
