PRESIDENT & VICE-PRESIDENT

TREASURER

1. Any donated funds and their designated purpose need to be detailed.
2. The lodge director needs to distinguish income from lodge use resulting from member use or outside use.
3. If admission fees for Club functions at the lodge include a lodge fee, the entertainment director needs to account for this separately, by noting the lodge fee times the number of people present.
4. Services provided by the Club such as instructional courses are related to our tax-exempt status; therefore, careful accounting procedures should be followed. Directors should note income from fees, and the cost for running the program.
5. Receipts for all expenses are required.
6. Taxes should be prepared by a professional tax preparer at the Club's expense with the assistance of the treasurer.

SECRETARY

TRUSTEES

GUIDELINES FOR HANDLING DEPOSITS FOR CLUB TRIPS

• Full deposit will be refunded for any person on a waiting list not participating because the trip is full.
• A person with a confirmed reservation for a trip, who later cancels, may be required to forfeit a portion or the full amount of any deposits or advanced fees paid if the cancellation has a financial impact on other trip participants.
• Non-Club members who participate in Club trips must pay the estimated trip cost in advance of the trip departure date. The difference between actual and estimated costs will be addressed after trip completion.

REQUIREMENTS FOR LIFE MEMBERSHIP:

1. Twenty-five (25) years of continuous dues paying membership in the WMC. In the case of interrupted membership, the candidate may update the dues in arrears with the approval of the Board of Directors.
2. The Life Member candidate must have satisfied one of the following:
1. Serve as a member of the Board of Directors.
2. Accumulated the equivalent of 100 hours in the organization and/or leadership of WMC activities and functions. c.
3. The following scale will be used to guide in the tabulation of equivalent time participation:
   
   • Day trip organization: 5 hours
   • Participation in work parties: 2-5 hours
   • Extended trips: Document time
   • Committee work: Document time
   • Social event organization: Document time
   • Other: Document time
3. Life Membership is not granted automatically. The Life Member candidate must submit a written application documenting the fulfillment of requirements to the Governing Board.

CANYONEERING POLICY (4/07)

• Understand that they should feel like they are overseeing the safety and well being of the club group, which would mean that they had reviewed the qualifications of those who sign up for the trip, and are satisfied that each individual is aware of what is required for this trip, and that they have assured the organizer that they have the skills and ability to be able to handle the trip successfully. The decision of whether an individual is sufficiently capable and prepared is admittedly a judgment call, but it is the trip organizers call.
• Have either done the trip before himself, or have the appropriate beta and be familiar enough with it to be comfortable that the canyon you are going to do is within his ability to lead it, and the groups ability to negotiate it. This would include having checked the forecast to make sure that the weather is not going to be an issue in the canyon, and having left a clear itinerary and instructions with a third party who can call for help if the return call hour or date has not been met.
• Figure out what is needed for group gear (rope, throw-bags, webbing, hookers, etc) and either bring it or assign someone to bring it. Organizers should hand around group gear for the young, strong ones to carry.
• Know how to get to and into your canyon. Figure out how to get a permit on a timely basis, and have a backup plan in case you cannot get the desired permit.
• Know who is in your group, and rally them to get off at a reasonable hour.
• Make sure everyone has a helmet, and other needed equipment.
• You are not guiding, just providing leadership- manage the group in the canyon. Remind people to eat and drink when they should, and as appropriate, spread the work of rope work and problem solving throughout the group as learning opportunities.

• You are responsible for your own safety and comfort. No one can assure your safety other than you.
• You are experienced and comfortable rappelling; on single and double ropes of varying lengths and thicknesses, and are able to adjust the friction levels to compensate as needed, including for a single skinny 8 millimeter rope. If you are not sure you are qualified you need to take either an ACA canyoneering course, or at the least, one of the clubs rappelling classes.
• The trips are not guided, they are lead. You are expected to do your part. If you are struggling or need help, or have questions about what is going on, you MUST communicate this to the group organizer and other participants right away.
• This is just a bunch of club members going canyoneering. While the organizer will attempt to 'lead' the trip and try to make sure everyone is taken care of, safe, and having fun, ULTIMATELY EACH PERSON MUST BE PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEMSELVES.
• If this is NOT what you are up for, then don't sign up for a club canyoneering trip.
• You are expected to provide your own personal gear- including a harness, descending device, locking carabineers and a helmet. If you do NOT have all of the gear that is on the list, let the organizer know in advance, so people with extra gear can bring it for you to use. You must make specific arrangements for that PRIOR to the trip.
• No one will be allowed to participate on club canyoneering trips without a helmet.

GUIDELINES FOR HIKING ORGANIZERS: (5/93)

• If for some reason you can't lead the hike that you volunteered for, you should try to find a replacement organizer and notify the hiking director.
• Planning is the key to a successful trip. Know your destination and route. According to regulations, the organizer is responsible for explaining the hike to the people who want to go on it. Unless the hike was described as exploratory in the Rambler, you should have personal experience with the route. If you haven't already hiked the route with the Club, you should hike it yourself first. It helps to start with a guidebook such as Hiking the Wasatch. If the hike is exploratory, you must rely on your general experience with the area, topographic maps (available from the USGS), guidebooks and contacts with forest or BLM rangers. According to current Club policy on exploratory hikes, an exploratory hike must be described as exploratory in the Rambler, and participants must register by phone so that the organizer can evaluate their experience and preparedness in advance. You should make sure that participants understand what is involved in an exploratory hike. For any hike that you lead, you should be able to describe the risks: the length and difficulty of the hike, whether there is exposed terrain, and whether the hike involves rock scrambling, wading, route finding, snow crossings, extreme temperatures or other difficulties. You should know approximately how much time the trip will take. You should be aware of seasonal road closures; for example, the upper gate in Mill Creek is often closed through Memorial Day. You must get permission to cross private property if no easement or right-of-way exists.
• Get everyone to the trailhead. A surprising amount of trouble can occur at this step. You should always try to carpool. This saves gas, puts less stress on limited parking spaces, gives you fewer vehicles to keep track of and makes it more likely that someone in any given car will know where you're going. You should count heads and cars before carpooling. Be sure that all the cars can handle the road; for example, don't drive a Lincoln to the Lake Hardy trailhead. If some of the drivers are not absolutely certain of the driving route, try to show them the route on a road map before leaving and arrange to pause at obvious points to collect vehicles. It's very important to make sure that drivers know what the lead car looks like. You should be sure that you can park where you need to at the trailhead; don't park illegally. Once you reach the trailhead, don't start hiking until everyone arrives (count heads again). A special exception: a group with a designated deputy leader may leave earlier (see below for a description of subdivided hikes). Club policy on sharing transportation costs is that drivers should be reimbursed at 15 cents per mile, and the cost of gas in a given vehicle should be divided equally among riders and drivers. For four-wheel-drive vehicles, reimbursement is 25 cents per mile when engaged. Riders split user fees (for example, at the tollbooth in Mill Creek Canyon).
• Evaluate capabilities of hikers. Participants must be prepared. The basic idea here is to look for problems before they can hurt you on the trail. The regulations say that hikers must evaluate their own capabilities; let people read the regulations before they sign the release. Your job is to help people understand what the hike involves so that they can make an informed decision about whether they should be on this hike. Make sure that everyone understands the risks and that it's their responsibility to be prepared. To help with this, you can check their clothing and gear by eye, and ask questions about their experience and fitness. If you notice that someone doesn't have the necessary boots, boots, socks, warm clothing, water, food, or first aid, you should bring it to their attention. You should be especially attentive to deficiencies with gear, fitness or experience on exploratory hikes and more difficult hikes. It is Club policy that regular day hikes are not open to children under 18. The Club sponsors family hikes, which are open to children, although unsupervised children under 18 are never permitted on any hike. Minor children are only allowed on trips designated as family trips and advertised as such in the Rambler.
• Turn away people who aren't ready for the hike. If in your best judgment, someone isn't sufficiently prepared for the hike in spite of their own evaluations, you should turn them away. The hiking regulations give organizers discretion to exclude people who aren't prepared, or who don't follow the regulations. If no one is ready for the (possibly poor) conditions, you should cancel the hike. You should always explain carefully why you are excluding a person; if the Rambler description was inaccurate or oversimplified, you may explain why, or if the conditions have changed due to rain or snow on the trail or something else, you should also explain. Don't let people sway you from your best judgment, and don't let people tag along if you refused to let them participate. It's useful to bring a copy of the current Rambler so that people can find out about easier hikes.
• Organize the operation. Everyone must sign the release form. If you don't sign, you don' t hike; this is a Club regulation. You should make sure that everyone understands what they're signing, and answer all questions as best you can. The release provides protection to participants, the organizer and the Club. The release makes a participant think about the risks of the hike, and tells you and the Club that the participant knows what they're doing. The release is not a magic bullet; you must still act responsibly in your capacity as an organizer.
• Don't lose your hikers. It is polite to wait a little while before leaving the meeting place, to accommodate a few latecomers. Once on the trail, you should set a pace appropriate to your group. Pay special attention to inexperienced hikers. You should take care to keep the group together and count heads when the opportunity arises. If someone is missing, wait for them, and adjust the pace of the group if necessary. Sometimes it is advisable to lead from the rear; in that case, you should put someone at the front that knows the trail. Organizers may choose to regroup as desired, for a lunch break or at the trail's destination.
• Large groups should be subdivided. Large groups can damage the wilderness and devalue the wilderness experience, and they can be difficult to manage and account for. Groups of 14 or less are recommended, and are required in designated wilderness areas. If you have a big group, you should look for experienced Club members to volunteer to lead a smaller group. You can then divide the big group according to the speed of the hikers, or to ability and interest, or other parameters. You can select alternate routes or destinations for the smaller groups to reduce the overall impact on one trail. You should make sure that the organizers of the smaller groups can account for all the members of their group and that they understand that they have the same responsibilities as other activity organizers. You should take care to account for all members of all the groups at the end of the hike(s).
• Know when to turn back. Sometimes you just can't make it safely to the destination you chose. You might run out of time to return before dark, or the weather might turn ominous, or some of your hikers may be running low on water or have other problems. If you can't make it on this trip, turn around and promise yourself that you can try again some other time. You should try to anticipate trouble while it's on the way, rather than waiting for it to arrive.
• Get appropriate help when needed. You should always use your best judgment and act responsibly when there's a problem. If you lose someone, check the obvious places, but don't take unnecessary risks in self-rescue. If you can't account for all the hikers at the end of the trip, try calling their home to see if they left without checking out. If a hiker may be lost or injured, don't let things run on until it's too late. Call emergency services or search and rescue and let professionals handle the problem. You should carry change for a pay phone, and bring the list of emergency phone numbers. Club regulations say that the person being rescued is responsible for any costs charged for the rescue, even if the rescue turns out to be unnecessary.
• Offer useful advice. If there are less experienced people on the hike, you may be able to increase their safety and enjoyment by passing on some of your own experience. This can range from noting the best photo opportunities, to telling people about potential problems on the trail such as loose rock, rattlers or poison ivy. Do answer all questions about the trip as best you can, however don't be a pest.
• Have fun. Almost every hike comes off without a hitch. On the average hike, the most important part is to have fun. Enjoy the fresh air and the scenery, and make friends and learn new things. Set a pace and choose a route to maximize the fun for everyone.
• Close out the hike. Every person must be accounted for at the end of a hike. Use the check-off boxes on the release form to check off hikers who have returned safely. Hikers may return early, but regulations ask that people who return in advance of the group travel with a buddy. Choose an experienced person to be a buddy; if no one else can be found, you should collect all the hikers and return together. If some hikers need to return early and can't wait for the rest of the group, you should ask them to leave you a note on your car or some other designated place telling you that they arrived safely. If a group has divided, the organizers of the smaller groups should help you account for all the hikers at the end.
• If someone does leave the hike, do your best to make sure they return safely. Club regulations permit people to leave the hike. However, sometimes people just take off on their own; if someone won't cooperate, note the problem on the release form. Please notify the hiking director about hikers who won't obey rules.
• You may have to dismiss a participant. If a participant endangers others, undermines your authority, or acts contrary to the Club's regulations and policies, the person can be dismissed. If someone looks like they're in trouble, or they're causing trouble, you should use your best judgment about when to send them back or even cancel the hike. Be sure that people understand why they are dismissed, but don't be argumentative. Don't let someone feel humiliated because they can't finish a hike; act maturely. Above all, don't let problems progress to the point where you can't handle them safely. You should be sure to follow the rules and policies for returning early. As above, please note the problem on the release form and notify the hiking director.
• Inform the hiking director of accidents and incidents. Using the accident/incident report form, you should report any accidents, injuries, unusual conditions or circumstances to the hiking director or another officer of the Club as soon as you reasonably can. Any accidents or injuries are to be reported in writing to the full Governing Board within 30 days. You should cooperate with the authorities in investigating the situation, if called upon. The Club may ask you and other members who may have witnessed an incident to write a description for circulation to the Club's board.
• Have an enthusiastic person write the trip up for the Rambler. The Rambler contains directions about submitting write-ups. Don't forget to include the compromising photographs!

• Emergency: 911
• Utah Highway Patrol, road conditions: 964-6000
• WMC Hiking Director
• WMC President
• Avalanche Forecast Center: 364-1581
• Forest Service, Salt Lake ranger district: 524-5042
• Forest Service map office, 125 S State: 524-5030
• Bureau of Land Management, 324 S State: 539-4001
• Utah Geological Survey (maps), 2363 S. Foothill: 467-0401

HIKING REGULATIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS (5/93)

1. Don't go on a hike unless you understand the risks and are prepared. If you want to go on a WMC hike, you must read the release form and sign it prior to participating. By signing the form, you are acknowledging to the WMC and to the organizer that you understand the risks involved with the hike. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must sign the release for you. If you have any questions about the risks, ask the organizer before you sign. Don't sign and don't go on the hike if you have doubts about the risks. Trip descriptions in the Rambler are meant to help you make decisions about risks before you consider a hike. Check the hike rating and look for terms like 'scrambling,' 'exposure,' 'exploratory' or 'cross-country.' Check weather reports for potential rain, wind or extreme temperatures. Check guidebooks such as Hiking the Wasatch for more information about conditions on the hike.
2. If a hike becomes riskier than what you are prepared for, stop. If for any reason you can't complete the hike, talk to the organizer and explain the problem. You may then sign off from the release form and leave the hike. Don't leave alone; always return to the trailhead with a buddy, and be sure that the organizer understands your route. Fatigue, blisters, bad weather and unexpected terrain are some of many appropriate reasons for stopping. Don't let anyone pressure you into taking risks for which you aren't prepared.
3. Always make use of common sense, experience and good judgment. If you find yourself in an awkward situation on a hike, ask the organizer for help and advice. If by circumstance you become separated from the group, make yourself easy to find and don't take any unnecessary risks. Your good judgment is your best defense against accidents. You can help by memorizing landmarks along the trail, carrying a compass and knowing how to use it, and taking advantage of the experience of the organizer and other hikers

4. Be prepared for a hike with proper equipment and physical fitness. It is your responsibility to prepare for a hike so that you won't endanger yourself or others. If you don't have the appropriate equipment or fitness, or if you don't have sufficient experience with the technical requirements, the organizer can bar you from the hike. If the Rambler description or the organizer asks you to bring materials and equipment such as high-top hiking boots, extra water, long pants, crampons, rope or wading shoes, and you forget to do so, you won't be allowed to go on the hike. Check the hike rating and the trip description to make sure that you are fit enough to handle a hike of the given steepness or length. If you aren't sure, ask the organizer.
5. Stay together on the trail and watch out for others. Stay within view or earshot of other hikers in the group. If you get ahead of the group, or if the organizer asks, you must wait to collect the rest of the group before continuing. If the organizer appoints another experienced hiker to lead a secondary group and assigns you to that group, you must respect the decisions of the deputy organizer and stay with your secondary group. If you notice other hikers in difficulty, report the problem to the organizer and try to help the organizer deal with it. There is safety in numbers, but it is also hard to manage large groups, especially in terrain that limits views such as forests or rough slick rock country. If the group spreads out, it can be difficult for the organizer to provide proper advice or directions, especially if the organizer must stay toward the rear to help slower hikers. You can help the organizer by making your location obvious; for example, if you leave the trail temporarily, drop your pack by the trail to show where you are taking your break. Another way to deal with these problems is for the organizer to ask the group to meet at a landmark on the trail. If you have experience with leading and with this particular hike, you can volunteer to help the organizer in situations like this by heading a secondary group.
6. Talk to the organizer to report problems and seek guidance. The organizer is your resource for help with the hike. If you are unsure of the risk in a situation or if you need directions, you must ask the organizer for help. Your trip organizer should know the hazards and risks of the route; have directions for driving to and from the trailhead; know possible escape routes in the event of bad weather or other unexpected conditions; know meeting places to regroup on the trail; have maps for exploratory hike routes; and have suggestions about the right equipment for the conditions.
7. Walk softly in the wilderness and keep it clean and safe. While on a WMC activity, you shall preserve wilderness values. Don't cut switchbacks or encourage trail erosion. Pack all your trash out. Don't needlessly injure plants or animals, and preserve their habitat. Don't hunt while on WMC hikes. The WMC Constitution "encourage[s] preservation of our natural areas, including plant, animal and bird life."
8. Obey established rules for recreation on the trail. Certain wilderness areas have established rules on group size; WMC groups will limit themselves to no more than the maximum permitted size, or split into secondary groups. You must respect private property and take care not to damage it or infringe on the owners' rights. Hikers should of course obey all applicable laws and cooperate with police officers, forest and BLM rangers, and other authorities. You are responsible for parking legally at trailheads, refraining from fishing in restricted streams, following rules about backcountry camping, and handling other duties of a responsible citizen.

9. You may be ejected for not following rules. An organizer may exclude you if in their own best judgment, you lack the experience, equipment, physical fitness or good judgment to complete the hike without becoming a danger to yourself or others. If you are already on the trail, you must return to the trailhead with the organizer or another experienced hiker appointed by the organizer. You are responsible for understanding the rules, and any violation of the rules may be grounds for exclusion. You must sign off from the release form before you leave, and be accounted for upon return like any other hiker. By signing the release form before the hike, you recognize that your trip organizer may act on behalf of the WMC to uphold its rules and policies. If you observe problems with leadership you should report them to the Hiking Director, but on any given trip you must cooperate with the organizer.
10. You must respect the organizer's decisions on the trail. Even if you disagree with the wisdom or usefulness of the organizer's directions, you must comply with them or leave the hike. The organizer has no obligation to accommodate you if you can't accept the conditions on the hike. The organizer has some discretion to maintain order on the hike. If you do leave a hike, you naturally must follow the rules above about leaving hikes. Do take care not to follow the organizer into a situation you aren't prepared for - sometimes the organizer's choices just aren't suitable for you, and don't be afraid to leave if that's the case. The WMC sponsors family hikes that are open to all ages of hikers; check the Rambler description to see if a given hike is a family hike.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR WINTER SPORTS ORGANIZERS

EQUIPMENT GUIDELINES FOR WINTER SPORTS ORGANIZERS AND PARTICIPANTS

BASIC AVALANCHE AWARENESS GUIDELINES (SOURCE: US FOREST SERVICE)

1. Carry an avalanche transceiver that will transmit your location. The transceiver can also be set to receive signals. Learn how to use the transceiver.
2. Carry a shovel and collapsible poles to probe the snow for victims in case you need help with a rescue. Some collapsible ski poles can double as poles.
3. Be alert following periods of steady snowfall when most avalanches occur.
4. Slopes with angles of 25 to 50 degrees are most likely to slide.
5. Cornices, or overhanging shelves of snow, can build up along ridges and can fall, triggering avalanches. When traveling along ridges, avoid the edges.
6. When traveling through potentially unstable terrain, spread out and cross slopes one at a time, keeping close watch for sliding or settling of the snow.
7. Most avalanches start above timberline, on slopes opposite the prevailing wind. Heavily forested slopes are less likely to slide.
8. Dig snow pits and learn to read the weather history of the snow pack.
9. Check with local forecasters and outdoor travelers for conditions and hazards.
10. Only one in three avalanche victims buried without a beacon survives. But if you're caught in an avalanche, try to escape by grabbing a tree or rock. If you fall, get rid of skis, poles and pack and "swim" on the slide to stay toward the surface. When the avalanche stops, try to stay near the surface and make an air pocket.

WINTER TOURING ETIQUETTE

1. Parties should try to stay away from one another as best they can.
2. People need to be encouraged to keep their tracks close together in crowded areas.
3. Break trails that will be useful to everyone who follows.
4. Pay attention to inter-party safety considerations (e.g. do not tour above others). Share observations about potentially dangerous snow and avalanche conditions

ENTERTANMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ARRANGEMENS FOR THE FOLLOWING

• General Membership Meeting refreshments
• Awards/Nominations Banquet reservations at the designated restaurant

WMC Website Policy

• The resolution of design and programming errors,
• The periodic back-up of programs and data,
• The periodic rotation of photos,
• Assisting officers and members in their use of the website,
• Purging stale data, for example, old ads from the Gear Swap web page,
• Monitoring website usage and
• Monitoring member posted content to ensure that it conforms to WMC standards.

Email "All" Policy

General Email Policy

Photo Policy

RAMBLER EDITORIAL POLICY

• It is ok to hold some articles over to a following month, if the Rambler is getting too big.
• Editors shall make changes in grammar, and punctuation, etc. If major changes are needed, the article will be returned to the author for a rewrite.
• If the publishing cost per issue goes over $1,200, the editorial policy may need to be reconsidered.

BOATING DIRECTOR

• Plans the boating calendar. This is usually done at the trip-planning meeting in March. (4/97)
• Ensures trips have an organizer and that a river guide is assigned to support that organizer. (4/97)
• Budget. The boating director deposits fees from trip organizers, spends funds in accordance with approved budgets, and sets the Club boating fees.
• Plans and conducts meetings such as the trip planning, permit party, and coordinators meetings (spring and fall).
• Spring and fall work parties: This involves organizing and coordinating the various activities, with assistance from the equipment coordinator.
• Rambler. Ensures that trips are published in the Rambler. (4/97) Announces meetings, classes, work parties, and such. Also publishes information pertinent to boating.
• Coordinates boating safety course.
• Coordinates an orientation course. This class provides information for new and beginner boaters. Topics include clothing and equipment, hazards and safety, and other pertinent items.
• Schedules family trips. These are important trips and the boating director needs to make an effort so that these trips are scheduled annually.
• Plans and coordinates parties held in the spring and fall.
• Maintains boating files with trip reports, Board minutes, and other factual and historic information.
• Handles problems. He/she shall arbitrate all matters regarding the boating program.
• The boating director will receive the trip report, liability release, financial ledger, and Club fees from the organizer after the trip is completed.

EQUIPMENT COORDINATOR

• Maintenance, repair, or replacement of Club equipment
• Inventory
• Coordination of equipment between conflicting groups
• Rental coordination and collection.

OTHER BOATING COORDINATORS

• Lead or participate in a training trip catered toward novice to intermediate rafters, kayakers, and canoeists. The Coordinator will collect the trip report, liability release, financial ledger, and Club fees from the organizer after the trip, and forward to the Boating Director.
• Coordinators are also welcome to submit articles discussing information on topics of interest.
• Schedule trips, which are not planned at the trip planning meeting, but can be announced in the Rambler throughout the season.

TRIP ORGANIZERS

• Arranging transportation and shuttle
• Assigning tasks such as meals, drivers, PU, etc.
• Overseeing trip finances
• Protecting ecology (leaving a clean camp)
• Submitting a trip report, liability release, financial sheet, and Club fees to the boating director.

TRIPS

COMPENSATION FOR PRIVATE GEAR

PARTICIPANTS

• Fairly and honestly communicate their experience to the trip organizer.
• Sign a liability release form recognizing that boating has inherent risks and Club, trip organizer, and boat captains are not liable.
• Comply with the decisions of the trip organizer. The organizer will listen to participant input, but his/her decision is final.
• Bring adequate clothing, safety equipment, food, and water.
• Comply with the government regulations of the particular river section being traveled. (4/97)

• The person has special skills, knowledge, or equipment that is not available elsewhere within the Club.
• The person is a relative or non-Utah resident and attends a maximum of one trip per year.
• Other special circumstances approved in advance by the boating director. The exempt person must pay an equal share of trip costs and must comply with Club policies. (5/89)

CLUB FEES

RENTALS

RULES OF THE TRAIL

1. Ride on open trails only - Respect trail and road closures (ask if not sure), avoid possible trespass on private land, and obtain permits or other authorization as may be required. Federal and state Wilderness areas are closed to cycling. The way you ride will influence trail management decisions and policies.
2. Leave no trace - Be sensitive to the dirt beneath you. Even on open (legal) trails, you should not ride under conditions where you will leave evidence of your passing, such as on certain soils after a rain. Recognize different types of soils and trail construction; practice low-impact cycling. This also means staying on existing trails and not creating new ones. Do not cut switchbacks. Be sure to pack out at least as much as you pack in.
3. Control your bicycle - Inattention for even a second can cause problems. Obey all bicycle speed regulations and recommendations.
4. Always yield trail - Make known your approach well in advance. A friendly greeting or bell is considerate and works well; do not startle others. Show your respect when passing by slowing to a walking pace or even stopping. Anticipate other trail users around corners or in blind spots.
5. Never spook animals - An unannounced approach, a sudden movement, or a loud noise startles all animals. This can be dangerous for you, others, and the animals. Give animals extra room and time to adjust to you. When passing horses use special care and follow directions from the horseback riders (ask if uncertain). Running cattle and disturbing wildlife is a serious offense. Leave gates as you found them, or as marked.
6. Plan ahead - Know your equipment, your ability, and the area in which you are riding, and prepare accordingly. Be self-sufficient at all times, keep your equipment in good repair, and carry necessary supplies for changes in weather or other conditions. A well-executed trip is a satisfaction to you and not a burden or offense to others. Always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear.