School Me.....

gasman1 · May 31, 2009

I have been told that it is "LEGAL" to ride or drive off road or crosscounrty. Also, it is OK to ride ORV's on roads that were closed with "Tank Traps" (closed by digging up the enterance with a back hoe).

Does any one have any insite on this.

To me it goes against "Tread Lightly". Suposeably, you can go crosscountry as long as you cause no damage to the terrane of vegitaion that can not be repaired in less than 1 year naturally.

Bunk1 · May 31, 2009

I would'nt do it. It would make every 4wheeler in the world look bad.

Fordzuki · May 31, 2009

I think this may be kindof a grey area. As an example, the powerlines around the wilkeson area used to be a good place to go ride the quads around, and I was told by a Pierce county sherrif that "he couldn't do anything once we were on the other side of the gate, but he would ticket us if we were to ride on the gravel road on the public side of the gate." It was perfectly acceptable to walk our bikes from the gate back to the truck. BUT, this doesn't neccesarily mean it was "legal", only that he didn't have jurisdiction to do anything once we were past the gate, unless the landowner was to press charges. This is just my understanding of my experience, but may mean nothing. :corn:

98ZJ4X4 · May 31, 2009

gasman said:
I have been told that it is "LEGAL" to ride or drive off road or crosscounrty. Also, it is OK to ride ORV's on roads that were closed with "Tank Traps" (closed by digging up the enterance with a back hoe).

Does any one have any insite on this.

To me it goes against "Tread Lightly". Suposeably, you can go crosscountry as long as you cause no damage to the terrane of vegitaion that can not be repaired in less than 1 year naturally.

Simple amswer! If it is questionsable, don't do it!! :awesomework:

Who "Told" you these things? Ask them how to check it out to be sure so you will not get into trouble.

gasman1 · May 31, 2009

I am going to be contacting the Nachese ranger dist to clarify, by the sorce is pretty confident with his statement as for he is well known in the ranger dist.

benw1 · May 31, 2009

The only way you are going to get an accurate answer is to call the ranger office in the district you are planning to recreate in.

Corey Y · May 31, 2009

It depends on who owns the property: State land, DNR, Forest service, Logging companies, Bonnieville(?) power company, Private property, and what rules the property owner has.

zukkev · May 31, 2009

If this is true, and I had known this, sure woulda made retrieving my elk last year ALOT easier!:eeek:

gasman1 · May 31, 2009

zukkev said:
If this is true, and I had known this, sure woulda made retrieving my elk last year ALOT easier!:eeek:

Hell Kev, i would have done it any ways...

I drove my quad to my elk and loaded it up t haul it out, it was only 150 yards off the road. Quick in, quick out, no witnesses, no evidence :awesomework:

zukkev · May 31, 2009

Naw, Frank had 1000 yards of some nylon woven tape type stuff (forgot the name if it) that is good for 1800lbs....we drug him up using that, and a vehicle to pull it with!!!:awesomework: He was about 300 yds below the road...

Murkman · May 31, 2009

In the Cle Elum FS district you may only operate quads on the legally marked 4x4 trail as well as on the Legally marked ATV trails. Bermed roads are closed to motorized. Quads and unlicensed moto's are also not allowed on the Forest Service roads.

gasman1 · May 31, 2009

Murkman said:
In the Cle Elum FS district you may only operate quads on the legally marked 4x4 trail as well as on the Legally marked ATV trails. Bermed roads are closed to motorized. Quads and unlicensed moto's are also not allowed on the Forest Service roads.

I am under the impression that, that is how it is in every ranger dist. It depends on what part of the code they enforce.

Different ranger dist do enforce differantly.

gasman1 · Jun 1, 2009

Just got off the phone with Sam Bissell at the Naches Ranger station.
Here is what i found out.

It is "not prohibited" to ride or drive crosscountry, but if yu cause any resource damage, you can and will be fined. Ir you bend a blade of grass, spin a tire, run over an endangered insect or vegitation or leave a tire imprint on the ground. Yu have just caused resource damage and can be fined for it.

As for roads closed by back fill or tank traps, "all motorised use is prohibited". It does not matter how or why the road was closed. A Closed road, is a closed road to all motorised use.

On a lighter side, the Naches area will be open no later than June 15. (It may open June 8 though, we will have t wait and see)

nevada · Jun 1, 2009

gasman said:
Just got off the phone with Sam Bissell at the Naches Ranger station.
Here is what i found out.

It is "not prohibited" to ride or drive crosscountry, but if yu cause any resource damage, you can and will be fined. Ir you bend a blade of grass, spin a tire, run over an endangered insect or vegitation or leave a tire imprint on the ground. Yu have just caused resource damage and can be fined for it.

i will leave my response here aswell.

this is true, for now. it is changing, and soon will be illegal. the best thing to do is regard it as such.
its far too easy for them to nail you for anything, or nothing.

zukkev: its actually been that way for quite sometime. but for obvious reasons, they didnt advertise the fact.

dirk · Jun 1, 2009

gasman said:
Just got off the phone with Sam Bissell at the Naches Ranger station.
Here is what i found out.

It is "not prohibited" to ride or drive crosscountry, but if yu cause any resource damage, you can and will be fined. Ir you bend a blade of grass, spin a tire, run over an endangered insect or vegitation or leave a tire imprint on the ground. Yu have just caused resource damage and can be fined for it.

nevada said:
i will leave my response here aswell.

this is true, for now. it is changing, and soon will be illegal. the best thing to do is regard it as such.
its far too easy for them to nail you for anything, or nothing.

zukkev: its actually been that way for quite sometime. but for obvious reasons, they didnt advertise the fact.

So basically this only applies to the giant rock fields on Manastash Ridge...that is the only terrain I can think of where you would not leave any trace.

nevada · Jun 1, 2009

dirk said:
So basically this only applies to the giant rock fields on Manastash Ridge...that is the only terrain I can think of where you would not leave any trace.

:awesomework:
really it depends on the ranger.
ive seen a few places where guys drove their quads down the hill to pull up their deer. it was dry, dead grass, and rocks. they really didnt leave a trail. but, according to the law, and if the ranger wanted to, he could have cited them. there was obviously broken grass, and sticks...

thats why its really best to not veer of the roads/trails. it will only make things worse. and like i said, this will be changing soon. its in the works already.

pokey · Jun 1, 2009

dirk said:
So basically this only applies to the giant rock fields on Manastash Ridge...that is the only terrain I can think of where you would not leave any trace.

Not quite true. theres all kinds of moss and plant life on them rocks not to mention lots of furry little critters that call them home.