TREAD LIGHTLY!

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TREAD LIGHTLY!
Tips and Techniques for Implementing the Tread
Lightly! Principles
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Tread Pledge
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Travel and Recreate With Minimum Impact
Reducing Recreational Impacts on the Environment
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Bedrock

• Travel only in areas that are open to your type
  of recreation.
• Travel only on routes designated for motorized
  use.
• Dont create new routes or expand existing
  trails.
• Avoid sensitive areas.
• Cross streams only at fords where the road or
  trail intersects the stream.

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Four Wheel Drive

• Hills
• Obstacles
• Soft Spots
• Ravines
• Streams

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Negotiating Hills

• Use four wheel drive before reaching destination
• Use good judgment
• Recognize vehicle and driver abilities
• Travel straight up or down a hill or grade
• Use a low gear

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Obstacles

• Cross at an angle, one wheel at a time
• Dont cross straight on or you may damage your
  vehicle or get high centered
• Dont straddle
• Proceed carefully and with caution
• Know size of obstacles vehicle can clear

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Soft Spots

• Avoid mud! If you cant, use a low gear to
  maintain forward movement
• Engage locking differential
• Dont gun the engine

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Crossing Ravines

• Use a 45 degree angle and turn into ravines
• Go slowly
• Know approach and departure angles

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Crossing Streams

• Cross only at fording points
• Cross slowly, at a 90 degree angle to minimize
  streambed damage
• Dont drive up and down streambed
• Remember the no wake zone

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Driving Tips

• Negotiating Turning Around
• Keep Your Distance
• Reconnoiter Ahead on Foot

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Turning Around

• Dont try it on narrow roads or hillsides
• Back straight down using a low gear
• Keep foot off the throttle
• Keep all tires rolling

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Keep Your Distance

• Dont tailgate
• Keep all vehicles in sight
• Enter tough spots one at a time
• Wait for vehicle in front of you to make it
  successfully before proceeding

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Reconnoiter Ahead on Foot

• Know whats ahead of you
• Evaluate alternatives and find the easiest, least
  damaging choice
• Dont barge on regardless

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Winching

• A properly selected and mounted winch can be
  invaluable by
• Removing fallen trees and rocks on trail
• Pulling vehicles out
• Righting an overturned vehicle

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Always Remember. . .

• Be a feather foot
• Lower tire pressure for traction
• Know where the differential is
• Use the left foot breaking technique
• Dont ride brakes or clutch
• Look ahead

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All Terrain Vehicles

• Slick Trails
• Stream Crossing
• Logs
• Switchbacks
• Meadows Marshes

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Slick Trails

• Take it easy on the throttle
• Finesse the throttle for maximum traction
• Use manual clutch to feel for traction to
  maintain forward motion while minimizing wheel
  spin

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Stream Crossings

• Cross only at established fording points
• Blasting through stream ruins fish and aquatic
  habitats
• Crossing at high speed can drown you engine
• Take it slow and steady

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Logs

• Move logs or go over them
• If you choose to go over it, slowly maneuver
  machine
• Going around only creates another trail and
  should be avoided!

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Switchbacks

• Work slowly along trails
• Use weight shifts and smoothness to negotiate
  turns
• Never cut switchbacks

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Meadows and Marshy Areas

• Its best not to go through them at all!
• Driving through the wet and sensitive soil leaves
  ruts and a lasting impression on the land

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Negotiating TerrainWhile Hunting

• Stay on established trails and routes
• Dont cut switchbacks
• Cross streams at designated fording points

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Negotiating TerrainMountain Biking
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Negotiating TerrainMountain Biking

• Avoid wet and muddy trails
• Cross streams at a 90 degree angle
• Walk bike across streams and other uncomfortable
  terrain
• Keep control of bike at all times

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Tips for Personal Watercraft Use
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Tips for Personal Watercraft Use

• Ride only where there is at least 2 feet of water
• Ride only where permitted
• Obey all posted signs and markers
• No wake zones
• Underwater obstructions

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Shoreline Smarts

• Slow and steady near shorelines
• Make certain your in control
• Always be aware
• Respect rights of others
• Take care to camp away from shorelines
• Show courtesy Wakes and noise can disturb others

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Negotiating TerrainSnowmobiles
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Negotiating TerrainSnowmobiles

• Avoid riding on frozen waterways
• Approach with caution
• Identify all possible hazards

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Reduce Speed When

• Approaching summits
• Approaching corners
• Around trees
• Around wildlife
• For your safety
• Dont ride off cornices

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Negotiating Terrain Horseback Riding
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Negotiating Terrain Horseback Riding

• Stay on established routes and trails open for
  horse use
• Know which roads are open to vehicles
• Dont cut switchbacks

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Minimum Impact Camping

• Preparation and Tread Lightly! Guidelines

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Campsite Selection

• Use existing campsites when possible
• Choose sites with durable surfaces
• (Sand, gravel, slickrock, grassy groundcover)
• Set up tent and cooking areas where vegetation
  has already been lost
• Camp at least 200 feet off trail
• Camp at least 200 feet from water

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When camping avoid

• Historical sites
• Archeological sites
• Paleontological sites
• Sensitive or critical wildlife habitat
• Other campsites (Respect others wish for
  solitude!)

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Respect the Environment and the Rights of Others
Rules and common courtesy on the road and trail
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Bedrock

• Respect and be considerate of other users so that
  all can enjoy a quality experience in the
  outdoors.
• When driving, yield to horses, hikers and bikers.
  In personal watercrafts, be cautious around
  canoes, kayaks, and other boats.
• Respect wildlife. Be sensitive to their life
  sustaining needs by keeping your distance.
• Comply with signage.
• Always obtain permission to cross private land.

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Respect the Rights of Others

• Be considerate of others
• On roads
• On trails
• In camping areas
• Be
• Cheerful and courteous
• Friendly
• A good ambassador

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Respect the Rights of Others

• Leave gates as you found them
• Unless posted otherwise
• Respect private land
• Ask for permission
• Keep noise and dust down

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When encountering pack animals. . .

• Ask handler how to proceed
• Dont make sudden movements or noise
• Move to the edge, downhill from the animal
• Shut engine off
• Remove helmet
• Be courteous and helpful

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Yield the Right of Way

• Yield
• To

Especially on an uphill grade or when someone is
overtaking you
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Respect Wildlife

• Dont chase or spook them!
• Wildlife are easily stressed in the wintertime
  and should be avoided

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Respect the Environment

• Drive recreate only where permitted
• Stay on the trail or road
• Dont cut switchbacks or create new trails
• What damage does it do?

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Respect the Environment and the Rights of Others
Snowmobiles
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Respect the Environment and the Rights of Others

• Comply with signage and fence boundaries
• -Even when fences are snow covered

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Respect the Environment and the Rights of Others

• Keep to the right on trails
• Stay right and reduce speed on corners
• Pass on the left
• Ensures others are aware of you
• Ensures visibility

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Respect the Environment and the Rights of Others

• Ride Single File
• When Stopping
• Pull sleds far off the trail
• Have good visibility
• Watch for oncoming sleds
• Park single file

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Respect the Environment and the Rights of Others
for Personal Watercraft Use
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Water etiquette

• Treat others on the water with respect
• Be courteous to others in boat ramp areas
• Obey no wake zones
• Be a good ambassador for your sport

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Always yield the right of way to

• Sail boats
• Canoes
• Row boats
• Non-motorized boats

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Right of Way

• Vessel on the right has the Right of Way
• Give Way Vessel
• -Steers right
• -Passes behind
• Vessels meeting head on
• -Neither has right of way
• -Both steer to right

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Right of Way

• Boat being passed has the Right of Way
• Pass on either side
• Give at least 150 feet wide berth for safety

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Wakes

• Never jump a wake
• Cross a wake at lower speeds
• Keep close lookout for skiers/towables

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Respect the rights of others

• Courtesy goes a long way towards good will
• Avoid swimmers and water skiers
• Avoid all other boats (stay at least 150 feet
  away)

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Educate Yourself

• Plan and Prepare Before You Go

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Bedrock

• Know local laws and regulations.
• Know which areas and routes are open for your
  type of recreation.
• Have the right information, maps and equipment to
  make your trip safe, and know how to use them.
• Be sure your vehicle is compatible with road and
  trail conditions.

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PLAN

• Obtain a travel map of the area
• Determine open areas for your use
• Select the safest routes
• Know rules and regulations for safety and to
  protect the environment

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PLAN

• Contact Land Manager
• Gather information on
• Road and trail conditions
• Temporary and seasonal closures
• Special permits and low impact practices required
• Contact any private land owners to obtain
  permission and information

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PLAN

• Ask Land Manager
• Are there times and areas to avoid?
• When are wildlife sensitive to disturbance?
• When are soils wet and prone to rutting?
• Where are the problem areas that should be
  avoided?

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PLAN

• Before you leave

• -Leave itinerary and notify family and friends
  where youll be and when youll return
• -Check licensing requirements for the area
• -Do a dry run
• -Service vehicle and make necessary repairs
  before departure

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Traveling Safely

• Know limitations of yourself and your vehicle
• Travel in groups of two or more
• Keep in touch
• CB radios, cell phones, and walkie talkies come
  in handy
• Buckle up!
• Dont drink and drive or ride!

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Safety on the Trail

• Dont overextend daylight hours
• Dont overextend yourself
• Dont tailgate- always follow at a safe distance
• Use common sense

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Preparation

• Know the Necessary Clothing for Your Activity

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Clothing for Personal Watercraft Use

• Sunglasses or goggles
• Water gloves and footwear

• Personal Flotation device (PFD) ALWAYS!
• Wet suits

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Clothing for Snowmobiling

• Helmet
• Goggles or face shield
• Gloves
• Dress in layers
• Warm footwear

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Clothing for ATV or OHM Use

• Helmet
• Eye protection
• Long sleeved shirt
• Sturdy pants

• Over the ankle boots
• Chest protector
• Knee pads
• Specialized jerseys or pants to keep cool

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Preparation

• Camping With Minimum Impact

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Plan

• Repack food into reusable containers
• Reduces waste
• Lightens load
• Less amount of waste to pack out

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Plan

• Select Lightweight equipment
• Backpack stoves and collapsible
• water containers are
• Easy to pack
• Take less weight
• Help reduce impact on environment

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Allow for Future Use of the Outdoors
Leave It Better Than You Found It
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Bedrock

• Take out what you bring in.
• Properly dispose of waste.
• Leave what you find.
• Minimize use of fire.
• Restore degraded areas.

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Technological Advances and Change in Outdoor
Recreation Activities
2002
1902
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Change in Population (90-00)
Source Census Bureau. 2000.
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Western Population Growth
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Popularity of OHVs
Annual sales of OHVs in the West is double the
national average, increasing 154 in 5 years.
1989 1999
Number of registered OHVs in Utah has more than
tripled in the past decade.
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Pack It In Pack It Out

• Dont litter
• Pack it out (both what you take in and what you
  find from others)
• Repair damage
• Dont leave anything behind that you or others
  have taken in

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Allow for Future Use of the Outdoors

• Avoid Wilderness Areas
• Designated for non-mechanized travel
• (foot and horseback only)
• No OHVs, Snowmobiles, PWCs or Bicycles

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By Leaving It Better Than You Found It

• Avoid running snowmobiles over vegetation with
  minimal snow cover
• Avoid saplings or young trees sticking out of the
  snow

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Avoid spreading noxious weeds

• Clean vehicle after every ride
• Clean gear after every time out on the trail
• Report outbreaks of noxious weeds

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Discover the Rewards of Responsible Recreation
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Bedrock

• Do all you can to help preserve the beauty and
  inspiring attributes of our lands and waters for
  yourself and future generations.

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Benefits

• Getting away from it all
• Create family traditions
• Preserve beauty for generations to follow
• What are your personal rewards?

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• If You Abuse It, You Could Lose It!

Careless impacts on a resource can cause damage
and may result in closing the area!
But.
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By Respecting the Environment and Other Trail
Users
What Is Available Today Will Be Available
Tomorrow!
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