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What's a "Silent Trail?" One mission of the Society is to help in the planning, development, and maintenance of the Continental Divide Trail as a "silent trail." A "silent trail" is one that provides enjoyment of a natural environment, free from motorized and mechanized intrusions. The Society recognizes that both motorized vehicles and mountain bikes may be used on some sections of the Trail. This page outlines our views with respect to such use. Motorized Vehicles A national scenic trail is intended to provide an outdoor experience that offers solitude, challenge, and an appreciation of attractive natural and cultural locations. As provided by law, the basic principle is that "the use of motorized vehicles ... shall be prohibited." This policy is clearly reflected in a policy directive issued by the Deputy Chief of the Forest Service in 1997 that the Continental Divide Trail is to be managed for non-motorized recreation -- and that over the longer term the Forest Service expects that the route will be relocated off roads for its entire length. At the present, however, lengthy portions of the Trail are open to motorized vehicles. This is permissible, under the National Trails System Act, in two situations: (1) where the selected route for the Trail is on a "road" or (2) where motorized vehicle use was allowed by administrative regulations at the time the route was selected and continued use "will not substantially interfere with the nature and purposes" of the Trail. We view the "road" situation to apply to those travel routes that are designated as highways, county roads, or forest development roads by agencies of government. The Trail is sometimes on highways or high-standard gravel roads because there is no other legal right-of-way through blocks of private land. Hiking along such roads is dangerous as well as depressing. The Society has sought to minimize the use of such roads and urges that greater efforts be applied to acquire more attractive off-road rights-of-way. Roads may also form a temporary portion of the Trail in national forests or public lands until such time as foot trails can be designed and constructed. The Society recognizes the past and ongoing accomplishments of several national forests in relocating sections away from such roads. Jeep-type vehicles also commonly employ two-track travelways that should not be considered to be "roads." Such travel, along with off-road vehicle use of trails, can only be accepted where grandfathered -- i.e., where authorized prior to the time of route selection -- and then only if continued use "will not substantially interfere with the nature and purposes" of the Trail. The Society believes that several factors come into play in determining whether motorized use interferes "substantially." Traffic that is noisy and speedy, particularly in remote backcountry settings, is especially intrusive and undesirable. On the other hand, we need not object to the use of an old two-track that sees no more than the occasional rancher's pickup. We have consistently followed these principles in our efforts to influence management of the Trail. Where the conflict is significant, the route should be closed to motorized vehicles or the Trail should be moved to a new location. Mountain Bikes Mountain bikes were not in common use until the mid-1980's. As a result, neither the environmental impact statement nor the comprehensive management plan for the Continental Divide Trail considered their use. The EIS noted impacts "due to increased use by hikers, horseback riders, and pack animals" but made no reference to cycles. The comprehensive management plan recalled, in keeping with the national scenic trails concept, that the Trail should be regarded as a simple facility for the hiker and horseman. The Society agrees with the American Hiking Society that "the experience of a hiking trail is fundamentally altered by the presence of bicycles and other mechanical conveyances." This is particularly likely to be true in backcountry areas, where bicycles intrude upon a sense of solitude and enjoyment of nature, especially if the tread permits riders to travel at high speed. There should be many opportunities for mountain bikers to enjoy scenic portions of our national forests -- but on those few trails that have been established as national scenic trails the emphasis should be on preserving the natural setting. In general, the Society takes the same position as does the Pacific Crest Trail Association with respect to the PCT -- it "opposes use of the trail by mechanical means, including motorized vehicles and bicycles." We recognize, however, that sections of the Trail are open to motorized vehicles and that these sections may be open to mountain bikes as well. Mountain bikers can enjoy travel along the Continental Divide by riding the Great Divide Bike Route.
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