Reading over these threads is just killing me. Breaks my heart with so many of us trying to do the right things, changing with the times, and learning from our mistakes and still in the same boat. Trail going down hill due to lack of education.
After 15 years of wheeling and exploration in the outbacks, I have never been educated by any organization on how to utilize any trail. I had to educate myself by going after the information, be it talking with people, reading the posted signs or by blatent mistakes of my own. That got me thinking and thought I'd toss this out.
Regarding the poll of pay to play, I voted no. This because the money is already there in our government but so mismanaged that we can't get to it efficiently. We (FOTR) would be considered a special interest group who has to be regulated etc... and the list goes on and on as most here are well aware of.
All pay to play areas that I have been to have signs. Most users don't read them but just motor past them as if they know the rules already. Clearly, they don't read and beg for forgiveness when there caught. (I've been guilty of this;of course many years ago.)
So here's a thought of mine and please comment.
Trail signs are fine but really not that effective. No one reads them carefully. Pay to play is good because typically there's money to watch over, fix, repair, and take care of the park. This is not a park. It's our forest and it's already ours to play in but not destroy.
The idiots or offenders who destroy the forest really just need some education to learn what not to do and what to do.
With that said, say we have a large sign at the 3 main entrances of the trail. Big. Over the trail type, that says:
"Private Property Ahead"
"Stop!" You must register to enter the Rubicon Trail or you will be Fined"
At each location, there's the bullet proof box with signs and instructions.
2 part form with the persons name, address, phone number, vehicle information, color, etc. Detailing the trip itinerary, rules, advisories, and most importantly, the fines. Fines that are stiff. $500 bucks usually gets everyones attention pretty quick.
One part of the form must stay with the driver/persons/vehicle at all times. The other part goes into the box. If one doesn't have their form while on the trail, they will be ticketed for $500.00 bucks if asked by a Sherriff or maybe even a Trail Patrol FOTR Volunteer. Not too many persons would lose $500 bucks if some examples have been set and the word got around.
Doesn't matter the details but my point is, that everyone needs to be accountable, be it injury or assualt. A record of every user could be beneficial here. Whether it's used for future education, fund raising or better yet, identification of violators of the rules. Having any trail user take action by filling out a form before entering the trail would be a better option than a pay to play with all the money being sucked up by government/staffed person. With this proposal comes many questions/details but we need to do something. I have hashed this over and over and really think this could work well.
I personally don't like signs that large but I think if we're going to have this trail for the future, we need to educate everyone. Stopping them in their tracks to educate them is what's needed. Staffing at 3 locations just won't happen and the honor system does'nt work.
What do you all think? Good, bad, stupid?
After 15 years of wheeling and exploration in the outbacks, I have never been educated by any organization on how to utilize any trail. I had to educate myself by going after the information, be it talking with people, reading the posted signs or by blatent mistakes of my own. That got me thinking and thought I'd toss this out.
Regarding the poll of pay to play, I voted no. This because the money is already there in our government but so mismanaged that we can't get to it efficiently. We (FOTR) would be considered a special interest group who has to be regulated etc... and the list goes on and on as most here are well aware of.
All pay to play areas that I have been to have signs. Most users don't read them but just motor past them as if they know the rules already. Clearly, they don't read and beg for forgiveness when there caught. (I've been guilty of this;of course many years ago.)
So here's a thought of mine and please comment.
Trail signs are fine but really not that effective. No one reads them carefully. Pay to play is good because typically there's money to watch over, fix, repair, and take care of the park. This is not a park. It's our forest and it's already ours to play in but not destroy.
The idiots or offenders who destroy the forest really just need some education to learn what not to do and what to do.
With that said, say we have a large sign at the 3 main entrances of the trail. Big. Over the trail type, that says:
"Private Property Ahead"
"Stop!" You must register to enter the Rubicon Trail or you will be Fined"
At each location, there's the bullet proof box with signs and instructions.
2 part form with the persons name, address, phone number, vehicle information, color, etc. Detailing the trip itinerary, rules, advisories, and most importantly, the fines. Fines that are stiff. $500 bucks usually gets everyones attention pretty quick.
One part of the form must stay with the driver/persons/vehicle at all times. The other part goes into the box. If one doesn't have their form while on the trail, they will be ticketed for $500.00 bucks if asked by a Sherriff or maybe even a Trail Patrol FOTR Volunteer. Not too many persons would lose $500 bucks if some examples have been set and the word got around.
Doesn't matter the details but my point is, that everyone needs to be accountable, be it injury or assualt. A record of every user could be beneficial here. Whether it's used for future education, fund raising or better yet, identification of violators of the rules. Having any trail user take action by filling out a form before entering the trail would be a better option than a pay to play with all the money being sucked up by government/staffed person. With this proposal comes many questions/details but we need to do something. I have hashed this over and over and really think this could work well.
I personally don't like signs that large but I think if we're going to have this trail for the future, we need to educate everyone. Stopping them in their tracks to educate them is what's needed. Staffing at 3 locations just won't happen and the honor system does'nt work.
What do you all think? Good, bad, stupid?