115 views • posted 11/14/2023 • updated 11/14/2023
the good, the bad, and the ugly
These case studies reveal a number of lessons learned that will be valuable in future winter travel management planning efforts.
The U.S. Forest Service has recently introduced a new rule to guide winter travel management planning on National Forests throughout the country. In the past, winter travel planning has been inconsistent and rare. However, there have been some great winter travel and recreation management plans developed across the West. At the same time, there are examples of where winter travel management is desperately needed, and where people have attempted, and failed, to solve user conflicts and bring balance to the backcountry through travel planning. This document presents various case studies that demonstrate the broad range of travel plans and planning attempts across National Forest lands.
While travel planning is not a cure-all for resolving user conflicts, a mandatory winter travel management planning process that is consistent across all National Forest lands will undoubtedly help to bring certainty and balance to the backcountry. These case studies highlight what has been proven to work, and not work, in winter travel planning and should serve as guidance for future efforts in this regard.Attached document published July 2018
Winter Wildlands Alliance was founded to represent backcountry skiers and human-powered recreation on America’s public lands. We are an alliance of grassroots organizers, environmental advocates, backcountry skiers and snowboarders, and individuals who are devoted to protecting, preserving, and sharing access to quiet places in the mountains.
TRAILS SAFE PASSING PLAN: STOP, SPEAK, and STAND BACK
posted Feb 14, 2023
Horses are prey animals and naturally can be afraid of unfamiliar people and objects. Horses have natural "flight“ survival instincts and prefer to move their feet towards an exit route. Therefore, people with horses should pass at a walk while other trail users remain STOPPED until passed.
ORV – Social & Management Issues
posted Jul 15, 2022
Off-road vehicles can have a substantial impact on the experience of other non-motorized visitors on trails that are shared or even on adjacent forest or park settings.
Informal and Formal Trail Monitoring Protocols and Baseline Conditions
posted Jul 15, 2022
This research developed and applied state-of-the-art trail condition assessment and monitoring procedures and applied them to the park’s formal and informal (visitor-created) trails.
posted Jul 15, 2022
This research investigates horse trail impacts to gain an improved understanding of the relationship between various levels of horse use, horse trail management alternatives, and subsequent horse trail degradation.
