TRAIL PROBLEMS, ACCESS & MAINTENANCE ISSUES

This is an example of good trail maintenance.  Notice the carefully built and reinforced channel built from rocks to avoid erosion.  This has been in place for about a year on the Larch Mtn. Trail.

Trail damage on the Tarbell Trail where horses, riders, wildlife & hikers have traveled through during wet trail conditions.  The worst of it is about 12 feet wide and a foot deep in places (3rd picture).  During the summer, the trail gets dry and actually becomes smooth hardpack.  Drainage would help.

No trespassing signs due to landowner having "destruction problems with motorcycles" at Post Canyon Rd.  We called the ph# on the cardboard sign & got permission.  We are lucky that we are not included in that "problem" - but we must ride wisely and respectfully or we are gone too!

Basics:
NO TRASH.
Yield to hikers & horses. 
Avoid riding trails that have just been rained on and are muddy.
Never ride off or around the trail.
Don't ride around puddles
Don't remove natural obstacles in the trail - unless they were placed there to cause harm to others.
Don't build obstacles/erosion control methods in the trail - leave that up to trained trail work parties.
Don't build new trails.
Get off your bike, step aside, be cautious and say a friendly hello to horseback riders.
Be courteous to all other trail users.
Promote the mountain biker image as a friendly, conscientious, green-friendly and cautious group.
Announce yourself before passing.

Links to more trail advocacy groups and information;

International Mountain Biking Association http://www.imba.com/

Washington Trails Association http://www.wta.org
Portland United Mountain Pedalers http://www.pumpclub.org/
Chinook Trail Association http://www.chinooktrail.org/
Backcountry Horsemen of Washington http://www.bchw.org/
Washington Trail Riders Association
Washington Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC) http://www.iac.wa.gov/
Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) http://www.pcta.org/index.asp