UPHILL HIKER HAS R.O.W?

I've noticed quite a few versions of the "rules" in this thread. People want to make up their own to suit their idea of common sense--and all of the versions people have posted make sense. The problem comes when people with different ideas of the rules meet. Life is easier if everyone agrees on the rules, however arbitary they are. Otherwise we're like the self driving car at the 4 way stop that gets stuck because it can't figure out whose turn it is. That doesn't mean the rules have to be followed blindly when it's fairly obvious what to do--if I'm coming down and a heavily laden backpacker struggling up steps aside before I have a chance to, glad to take a break, I'm not going to step aside myself and glare at them for breaking the rules.

As far as horses, they get the right of way because they're huge, potentially dangerous, and dumber than most people. BTW if you get out of the way of a horse--get uphill. Better kicked in the shin than the head.

Mountain bikers--the more you ride with consideration for hikers the fewer the trails you'll be banned from.

Runners--I'll get out of your way when you're coming down and I'm going up but you don't have any god-given right to have ROW over everyone else on the trail.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NW_SKIER

As far as row goes, I yield to most everyone as I believe it's the polite thing to do. When they don't yield for me, I just shrug it off and keep on moving.

---

This solves much of the problem excluding bikes or motorized stuff.

In touring you gotta yield to downhillers headed to the parking lot as a courtesy, they are trying to keep momentum and are often tired.

Standard practice I was taught is yield to uphill, so that's the plan barring a special circumstance. I try to keep my pup off the trail when sounds of bikes pop up, makes it easier for everyone to simply step aside. Take an extra minute and hit a fresh nug if ya get flustered.

Freeway drama don't belong in the hills.

I think whatever user group originally built the trail should get the right of way.

^^^ I like it. Around here that would mostly be elk, the Crow Tribe, and the Cavalry. I can yield to that.

FuckinA, now yield to every Mormon??

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Notchtop

^^^ I like it. Around here that would mostly be elk, the Crow Tribe, and the Cavalry. I can yield to that.

---

Ok, whatever user group maintains or has built the tread beyond a simple way-path or game trail gets the right away. I'm pretty sure the elk don't make sweeping banked corners and the Crow Tribe didn't fund and lobby to build a metal girder foot bridge well above the floodline.

So maybe the Forest Service gets the right of way? :smile:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn

................That said, if there are 3 or more of you, YOU DON'T NEED TO WALK ACROSS THE WHOLE PATH...........

---

when a group of side-by-side hikers/walkers approach me and it seems clear they wont yield a little room, i come to a complete stop and look right at them: they either have to adjust the gauntlet or crash into me; usually they yield.........this technique works well on the trail, sidewalks and crowded stores

Hm. Good idea, if they're coming at you. Not so much from behind.
Sometimes I give people a sort of hands up shrug with my hands on the bars. Especially if other bike riders aren't getting over enough.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kootenayskier

The downhill biker has responsibility for managing the interaction with the uphill rider/walker, and should slow down, make eye contact, smile, use words if necessary, and adapt according to the situation. Often the uphill rider is ready for a short break, and hikers find it easier to step off the trail than bikers, but sometimes not. This seems to work fine in my small community, with moderate amounts of trail use.

---

perfect summary. We do that here in Colorado and it works.

Many hikers are extra courteous up or down and I thank them rightfully.

On singletrack, or generally for horses, I stop and unclip and put a foot down for uphill traffic. You should too. No one cares about your Strava time. A lot of hikers yield, but it's easier to let them go by once I've unclipped. Especially if they have dogs.

On a related subject, pedestrians and cyclists should check their state codes, but in California, pedestrians using bike lanes where there is no sidewalk are required to walk facing traffic (which is only common sense) and step out of the bike lane to yield to cyclists when possible to do safely. Cyclists are required to ride as far to the right as safe in the absence of a bike lane, which doesn't mean 2 or more abreast. When it comes to sharing the road, pedestrians and cyclists are at least as bad as drivers (I am all three).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn

No one cares about your Strava time.

---

Shut your whore mouth when you're talking to me - everyone cares about my Strava times because I'm KOM

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Leavenworth Skier

I think whatever user group originally built the trail should get the right of way.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Notchtop

^^^ I like it. Around here that would mostly be elk, the Crow Tribe, and the Cavalry. I can yield to that.

---

I think a lot of the well constructed trails--the ones with water bars, rock retaining walls on steep switchbacks, etc--were built by the CCC during the Depression. Nowadays trails around here--like the Tahoe and Donner Rim Trails--are built by volunteers with no one asking if you're a hiker, biker, or horsey back rider. The Donner Rim Trail is multi use except where it uses existing restricted trails--essentially the PCT.