Bikers beware: Officials cracking down on illegal mountain bike use

A mountain bike ride on the wrong side of the Blue Mountain Recreation Area could end up being a bit pricey.

The U. S. Forest Service announced in an open letter last week that it will immediately begin enforcing a horse- and hiker-only rule on all trails north of Blue Mountain Road in the recreation area.

“We have counted on signing, voluntary compliance and peer pressure to enforce this rule,” said Missoula District Ranger Maggie Pittman in the letter. “Unfortunately, these methods don't seem to be working.

“The signs have been removed and vandalized, and the trail is being used by mountain bikers,” she said.

Bikers caught illegally riding there could now end up paying a $150 fine, plus a $25 processing fee.

The Blue Mountain National Recreation Trail has been designated a horse and hiker trail since its inception in the 1970s.

“So this really isn't a change in our rules,” said Andy Kulla, the Missoula Ranger District's resource staff officer. “We've seen bicycle use of that area grow over the last five or 10 years, and we want people to know it's set aside for horses and pedestrian use.”

The decision to up the ante and begin enforcing the horse and hiker rules is part of a bigger plan to manage Missoula's three favorite outdoor recreation areas.

Last spring, the Missoula Ranger District completed a management plan for the Blue Mountain, Pattee Canyon and Rattlesnake recreation areas. The plan included adding some new “official” miles to the areas' trail systems and closing some other ill-placed user-created trails.

Last summer, the agency's efforts focused on the Rattlesnake and Pattee Canyon. This year, it's Blue Mountain's turn - and simplicity is the aim.

Any trail north of Blue Mountain Road No. 365 is open to horses and hikers period. Any trail south is open to bicycles, horses and hikers.

“We did it that way to make it easier for everyone to understand,” Kulla said Monday.

In the other two recreation areas, Kulla said the agency steered away from creating single-use trails.

“The Missoula Valley is growing and many more people are using this wonderful trail system,” he said. “We thought the best way for that to happen was for people to cooperate and share the trails wherever possible.

“We're all so fortunate to have these three great recreational areas so close to town,” Kulla added. “Each one is different. As the valley grows, we're going to see more and more people using them. Everybody just loves them.”

Reporter Perry Backus can be reached at 523-5259 or at pbackus@missoulian.com

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