The trouble with the "wilderness" designation is that all motorized vehicle traffic is disallowed forever once it's in place. If they say the trails will be kept open they are either lieing or it's not true "wilderness".
I am a heavy believer in the Tread Lightly etiquette. I love the outdoors and don't want to see it trashed. However I want to be able to drive my 4x4 into extremly remote locations where I wouldn't normally go because I'm not a hiker or rock climber.
As far as tire marks on sandstone or granite...What is it hurting??? The rocks already have discolorations from tree sap, bird droppings, acid rain, cow poop, etc. Two dark tracks on red rock should not ruin someones outdoor experience.
I have no problem sharing the trail with bikers, hikers, ATV's or anyone. I just wish they would feel the same way. If a mountain biker is going so fast that he rides smack into the front of my truck is that my fault for being there? I don't think so! It's his fault for riding his bike beyond his control. Just as it would be my fault if I rolled my vehicle doing a tricky rock crawling manuver.
When the hiker, bicyclist or rock climber breaks an ankle while in the backcountry I'm sure they would all of a sudden feel very happy to have a four wheeler around to help evacuate them.
You know many fourwheelers now make it part of their job to pack out trash left by others on the trail. Maybe it would be good etiquette to ask hikers if we could pack out any of their trash when we see them on the trail. That would mean less for them to carry and would give us a good public relations boost.
It used to be that wilderness had to have so many miles of roadless terrain before it could get that designation. Now they are taking the old mining roads off the maps so they can claim there are no roads in the area. The Grand Escalante area is a good example of that. From what I understand many existing roads were included in that wilderness area.
If we don't stand up for what we have the only four wheeling we will be allowed to do will be in 4x4 amusement parks built in a K-mart parking lot.
------------------
Rick Horwitz
explorer@4x4central.com
Editor
www.4x4central.com