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Thread: Road vs Trail

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    Default Road vs Trail



    I finally had the chance to meet with the new FS contact for the Canyon Lakes Ranger District where my club adopts several roads. We had a good conversation and I hope to work with him to make some good changes in the future. One topic we discussed was "roads vs trails." As you may or may not know most of what we as "four-wheelers" drive on are technically "roads," there are some "trails" in the state open to full size vehicles. In his opinion we should work to reclassify many of the "roads" we use to "trails" and we should also be pushing to open more "trails." The main benefit would be funding, there are a lot more resources available to fund "trails" then there are "roads," one of the largest and easiest to obtain is from the CPW OHV Fund. Secondly "trails" are a lot easier to open than "roads" as they do not need to meet the same construction specifications and maintenance. Even reclassifying a closed "road" to a "trail" may allow it to be reopened a lot easier. Lastly even a Level 2 Road, the least amount of maintenance required, could get rough enough to where the FS would remove obstacles to allow for travel. The main downside to reclassifying "roads" to "trails" is all "trails" require a state OHV permit or registration which costs $25.25.

    There is a rumor that the new Travel Management Plan for the Pike/San Isabel National Forest will include reclassifying many "roads" to "trails."

    Personally I agree with the benefits and would support the idea.

    Thoughts?

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    speedkills (September 13th, 2021),Tom (September 13th, 2021),Trevor? (September 13th, 2021)

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    Default Re: Road vs Trail



    I already buy an OHV sticker every year. I don't see any downsides from what you describe, but I'm also only informed on this subject by what you've posted here.

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    Default Re: Road vs Trail



    Sounds quite reasonable to me.
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    Default Re: Road vs Trail



    My understanding is that trails can be closed/shut down much easier than roads. Might ask about that.
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    Default Re: Road vs Trail



    Spieg previously posted:
    "My understanding is that trails can be closed/shut down much easier than roads. Might ask about that."

    I am not sure, the next time I talk to him I will ask. I suppose that could be the case as trails would be considered unnecessary for travel. However most of the roads that would get classified as trails are Level 2 Roads which are typically local roads that are connectors and for high clearance vehicles which I think the FS can already close pretty easily, at least on a temporary basis.

    One thing he did mention is that when a road is damaged and needs to be closed it is more difficult to get it repaired and reopened due to engineering department having to get involved to make sure the repairs meet the construction standard. This would not necessarily be the case with a trail.

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    Default Re: Road vs Trail



    I wonder if this is why a trail (road?) like Pierson Park remains closed so long after the slide that closed it originally? Is that route a "road", complicating clearing the small section that is closed?

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    Default Re: Road vs Trail



    It is a road and yes it needs to be cleared and repaired to meet the standards. Another big part of the reason why it remains closed is the local residents want it that way.

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