Wiggle Room
Read as: Laissez faire in the public domain. National Parks changes in permissable use hits pretty close to home as the nation's longest national park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, forms the southern border of our county.
The Blue Ridge Gazette raises the alarm on this issue. Give the matter some thought if you don't want four-wheelers on your favorite trail in the Smokies.
Comments
It's always good to be wary but let's not lump all four-wheelers together. Amy and I are longtime members of Tread Lightly, the national organization that promotes responsible off-roading and we've spent many enjoyable, and legal, times exploring the Thomas Jefferson National Forest and other public venues in our Wrangler. The key is to respect nature while enjoying it and not all off-roaders are maniacs who tear up trails.
Posted by: Doug Thompson | January 30, 2006 10:36 AM
I guess we could watch how things have developed with snowmobiles in our northern national parks to get a sense of what could result. I guess there can be designated areas that would be exceptions, but I just know that I wouldn't want to meet any vehicles on my hikes. The whole idea of a park to me is to get away from all things non-natural, including transportation.
Posted by: JIm | January 30, 2006 12:00 PM
I'm glad to know there are organizations promoting responsible 'off roading' although I don't accept the notion that trails designed for foot traffic are appropriate for either motorized vehicles regardless of the number of wheels, or horses. I've seen too many trails in mountainous terrain that have become deep, muddy trenches after being illegally used by horseback riders who ignored the signs, and motorbikes and ATVs.
My suspicion is that people who join organizations like Tread Lightly are not the ones who need education in trail use etiquette.
Posted by: fred1st | January 30, 2006 12:15 PM