[pct-l] Bicycles allowed in the Wilderness HR1349 Tom McClintock CA US Congressman

[Pat Wormington]

I was informed by the Forest Service today that Tom McClintock,R, in the US House of Representatives, who represents District 4 in California which includes the Plumas National Forest and Tahoe National Forest land that the PCT passes through, introduced HR 1349 in 2017.  Bad, Bad news since bicycle riders here locally on the Plumas Forest have destroyed our trails in Lakes Basin.  With the trend of high snow levels during storms in the High Sierra, the rain makes the trenches created by the bicycles into gullies.  Mt. Elwell trail is no longer hikeable in Lakes Basin on the Plumas Forest, the trail is gone.  Obviously McClintock hasn’t ever experienced the disregard bicycle riders have for the right of way rules posted on trails.  Most bikes we see are traveling at maximum speed, more like a thrill ride, oblivious to other users of the trails.  I feel sorry for equestrians who would be risking their lives by sharing the trails with speeding bicycles in the Wilderness.  Horses are very powerful and a downhill speeding bicycle doesn’t stop on a dime.  Mt. Bikers have added rock to our trails making it impossible to see wildlife, walking on noisy rock.  Backpackers in the Wilderness don’t want to backpack on rocked trails.  Nice soft trail tread that is easy on our feet is more desirable to hike on.  

Pat Wormington
PCT 2009