Guess what. It didn't work. The Seattle metroplex has swallowed up 98% of the low altitude trails. The state DNR and North Bend/Snoqualmie ranger district have closed virtually all non-motorized trails narrower than six feet to ATBs. Including pack trails. That's right.

I'm kind of at a loss now about what can be done in the way of changing the situation. We've been trying to do the right thing and go through official channels to change things for a long time now. People are poaching more and more trails now, often at night, which certainly isn't going to help matters any. I don't thing a full on land war between cyclists and land managers, a la the Vancouver North Shore, would be a positive thing for anybody. What can be done? Any suggestions?

I certainly don't think that I should be able to ride wherever I want. When I get to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness boundary, I either turn back or stash my bike and procceed on foot. I completely agree that ATBs have no place in designated wilderness areas. But a few singletracks on some sort of public land sure would be nice. Even pack trails. Shoot I'll ride through the mud bogs and horse pucky and smile.

Some common words found in the essay are:
, North Bend, Shoot I'll, National Forests, Lakes Wilderness, Tiger Mountain, North Bend/Snoqualmie, Western Washington, Middle Fork, That's Horseback, land managers, designated wilderness, pack trails,
Approximate Word count = 597
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)