Feds close Moab trails

[DeadheadNM]

Where next I wonder? Article HERE "Feds Shut Down A Third Of All Moab Off-Road Trails Sparking Outrage"

[kwmech]

Doesn't surprise me. There a bunch trails local to me that have been ruined by the excessive wheelin' and destruction. Gotta get that larger HP engine, rockwell axles, 54'' tires. Cutting through the forest 'cuz the guy in front of you didn't spend 100k on his rig and is moving a tad bit slower than you. It's the same mentality in Moab. Everybody is in a hurry and cannot just enjoy the ride and the scenery

[Orange Crate]

I read a little on this yesterday. It looks like the original lawsuit was in 2008 and a settlement was reach in 2017 and this is the results of that settlement. Blue Ribbon Coalition and Colorado Offroad Trail Defenders have already appealed the decision. I was out there in March and it was crazy busy with "sand fleas". I spoke with a few people out there about the amount of off road traffic. There are a LOT of people that rent off road machines that have absolutely no idea what trail etiquette is. I complained loudly at the time because it is dangerous in certain situations. Like letting someone on the trail coming in the opposite direction know how many people are in your group, people coming uphill have the right of way, backing up if you are coming downhill on a narrow trail. Warning other people of a hazard coming up in the trail. Thinking EVERY corner is an opportunity for a rooster tail. It was crazy so I left for a different area south of there. Really, it was just too busy for me.

[57taskforce]

I live 2.5 hours away and I go to Moab a few times a year. It’s gotten to where it’s almost always crazy busy. Sad to see the greenies winning on the trails. Pisses me off really. Sure it’s 300 miles now, but they are never satisfied. They won’t stop fighting till it’s all closed.

[special-K]

It's not really greenies to blame, it's irresponsible and excessive use/abuse. Off road vehicles have been allowed for a long time. Greenies have complained a long time. More recently the knucklehead populous has ruined it. It happens all over. It didn't help seeing all the action on wide spanning media, encouraging everybody and their brother to go. People seem to manage to ruin any good thing given enough time

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by special-K

It's not really greenies to blame, it's irresponsible and excessive use/abuse. Off road vehicles have been allowed for a long time. Greenies have complained a long time. More recently the knucklehead populous has ruined it. It happens all over. It didn't help seeing all the action on wide spanning media, encouraging everybody and their brother to go. People seem to manage to ruin any good thing given enough time

I'd agree with you but the greenies are doing the same to the equestrian world. Start checking out how many trails throughout the USA used to be opened to horses and no longer are. It's insanity.

I don't disagree the knuckleheads tearing the places up and trashing it all doesn't help.

[DeadheadNM]

An access permit process seems more reasonable than outright closure.

[Getter-Done]

This reminds me of, Several Years ago.

The State park close to where I live now was full of Horse trails and 4 Wheel Drive trails.

People (For the Most part) respected the trails in the 1980's.

Well, In the Early 1990s / People started dumping washer and dryers and coaches and mattress on the trails.

So, the Closed them down and Blocked the access roads.

[Orange Crate]

Please check out the two original court cases from 08 & 17 before you pin this on any one "group". This didn't just happen.

[kwmech]

Originally Posted by Orange Crate

Please check out the two original court cases from 08 & 17 before you pin this on any one "group". This didn't just happen.

It's been a progressive thing through the years. I'm close to the Rubicon and Fordyce Trails. I've been seeing their decline for years. I was on Fordyce about 12 years ago. Guy in a landcruiser was going to do one of the river crossings. Water was moving pretty good as it was early spring and there was a heavy release of water from one of the dams. He was advised to get a cable hooked on his 'cruiser. Ego kicks in and he crosses without. Nothing in the 'cruiser was tied down. Needless to say he lost control, cruiser went on its side and dumped everything in it and got pushed down stream a couple hundred feet and was stuck there for a few hours until his group managed to get it up the bank.

[A1971Blazer]

Upper Tellico OHV park...best wheelin' east of the Mississippi River
Closed in 2009...started with "we are going to close it during the winter freeze/thaw season"...never re-opened.
Trout Unlimited and other environmental groups played a big part.

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by special-K

It's not really greenies to blame, it's irresponsible and excessive use/abuse. Off road vehicles have been allowed for a long time. Greenies have complained a long time. More recently the knucklehead populous has ruined it. It happens all over. It didn't help seeing all the action on wide spanning media, encouraging everybody and their brother to go. People seem to manage to ruin any good thing given enough time

I can definitely see and agree with the idiots in the world no doubt but I’ve seen and dealt with some of these groups and the results of there actions, that protest the uses of federal land for anything other than there natural plant and animal habitats. Some of these people/groups are incredibly stupid and borderline militant at times. Look at the mess around Chaco canyon, yes not 4x4 related but still federal land related. In the case of Chaco canyon the Navajo tribe which occupies the land in questions desires were over ruled by the radical environmental groups, and their minions that have infiltrated Washington. In that case they cited cultural history as a reason for not drilling. The Navajo tribe whose ultimate heritage, ancestry and culture was/is in question is as and was 100% for the drilling. My belief in the case of Moab, if you give them an inch, they are going to do everything in their power to shut it down across the board. Might not be all at once but they won’t stop till it happens.

[Rickysnickers]

While not the same as offroading, but here in ID, I'm seeing the same idiotic people ruining BLM lands. You are allowed to go shooting on them and we go occasionally.

Getting to the spot where we like to go, you pass and can see all kinds of trash left from those who have been shooting there. It pisses me off to no end. It's only going to be a matter of time before BLM says no more, and I will completely understand why. I'm no extremist greeny type. However, there's nothing excuse for not taking care of your trail, shooting areas, or whatever you use your public lands for.

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

While not the same as offroading, but here in ID, I'm seeing the same idiotic people ruining BLM lands. You are allowed to go shooting on them and we go occasionally.

Getting to the spot where we like to go, you pass and can see all kinds of trash left from those who have been shooting there. It pisses me off to no end. It's only going to be a matter of time before BLM says no more, and I will completely understand why. I'm no extremist greeny type. However, there's nothing excuse for not taking care of your trail, shooting areas, or whatever you use your public lands for.

Yes,

Not everyone is onboard with (Leave it like you found it) or Better.

Someone will not like the Mess. Then someone has to Clean it up.

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

While not the same as offroading, but here in ID, I'm seeing the same idiotic people ruining BLM lands. You are allowed to go shooting on them and we go occasionally.

Getting to the spot where we like to go, you pass and can see all kinds of trash left from those who have been shooting there. It pisses me off to no end. It's only going to be a matter of time before BLM says no more, and I will completely understand why. I'm no extremist greeny type. However, there's nothing excuse for not taking care of your trail, shooting areas, or whatever you use your public lands for.

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

Yes,

Not everyone is onboard with (Leave it like you found it) or Better.

Someone will not like the Mess. Then someone has to Clean it up.

Exactly! People have no respect or morals any more.

[GSP7]

Edited by staff - Totally unrelated comment with a political slant

[DeadheadNM]

Tangentially related but a Toyota ad was banned in the UK because it was deemed environmentally insensitive by someone.

[sixty8HDC30]

I've been in the offroad community since 2007 and I don't care what anyone says to the contrary, the number 1 reason our public lands are constantly lost is because of MORONS who trash the place, leave it looking like hell, with garbage, and going off trail.

You wanna go to the mountains for the weekend and get drunk off your ass? great! have a blast! but clean up your f@%king MESS!! If you do this kind of thing and leave a mess, you are ruining the future for everyone else.

Another thing... posting your weekend shenanigan's on social media is F'ing stupid. It encourages more morons to go to these places and it gives the "Greenies" more power.

[Getter-Done]

[special-K]

I thought of this thread when I saw this video. Only related by being about 4 wheelin' mixing with authorities. US Forest Service grabbing revenue for a violation totally unrelated to safety or public protection.

http://www.youtube.com/shorts/wGdXaYCc8qs