Have you considered, - by passes for the ATV's that do play around up there, that may or may not be able to run the trails? what will they be faced with, as far as go arounds? i hate to jump in on this, as i seem to never be able to get away and attend a work party. since my DAUGHTER was born. but i do have concerns as i've seen what a group of ATV's is capable of doing, such as damage - creating by passes.
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Big Thumbs Up - on re-creating a little more obstacle / challenge where there really wasn't none or anyone bothering to use it.
Yes and no. The ATVs have their own trail system up there separate to the 4x4 system. We're not allowed to use their trails. ATVs are allowed to use our trails but they must follow the same rules as we do which is to stay on the trails. The ATVs have to use the same common sense that the 4x4s do. If the trail's too tough for me or my ATV, then turn around and go back or don't go on that trail.
On the flip side to that we are working with the DNR to allow the development of legal bypasses where available, particularly if a specific section of trail or a specific obstacle is significantly more difficult than the rest of the trail. For example, if a trail is generally doable by a LWB vehicle except for one spot where the trees are simply too close together causing undue damage or making physically impossible for the LWB vehicle to fit, then making a bypass so that the LWB vehicle can navigate that section and use the entire trial is sensible. However, if the majority of the trail is not suitable for LWB vehicles we're not going to consider bypasses around everything just so that a LWB doesn't get discriminated against. Same story with ATVs. If they can navigate the trail do so, if not, stay off - they already have a separate trail system built and maintained just for them. I personally put the ATV in the same class here as say, a Sami (no offense Sami owners). The smaller tired Sami's can often negotiate obstacles that they aren't big enough to handle, simple because they have so many line choices. A Sami on 33s can go places a 4runner on 33s wouldn't dream about. If there is a section of a trail not suitable for a Sami, but the rest of the trail is, and if a suitable bypass can be made (most likely someone already did) we'll do so for the Sami, but not with the specific intent of accomodating the ATVs.
I'm not anti-ATV by any means. My kids all ride ATVs. They're all ORV tagged and we built our own track.
I don't see us specifically considering making the 4x4 trails suitable for the ATVs however, if the ATV volunteer groups want to work with the DNR and make bypasses on the 4x4 trails, we can't stop them. The 4x4 trails are then only ones designated as multi-use and those who work on them are those who get to use them. Technically these trails can be used by hikers, horses, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles and 4x4s, but the 4x4 can ONLY use the 4x4 trails. Since the other user groups have their own trails at Elbe, we don't have to make our trails SUITable for the other user groups.
On Rainier Vista, we hope to designate this as a 5/5 rated trail with 35" and larger tires, dual lockers and winch recommended. All ATVs should be able to read the signs and make a decision to try another trail. I am working on makeing this trail and the Busywild a NON-ATV trail. I don't know if this will fly but 90% of the user built bypasses and related damage are started by ATVs that don't belong on the trail. The rest of the 4x4 trails are passable by ATVs.
