Tread Lightly

The principles of Treading lightly while recommended, and not legally binding, will be accepted by Trail Specialists as personally binding and all Trail Specialists shall conform to such principles.

              Travel and recreate with minimum impact
              Respect the environment and the rights of others
              Educate yourself, plan and prepare before you go
              Allow for future use of the outdoors, leave it better than you found it
              Discover the rewards of responsible recreation

Obey Restrictions

Trail Specialists will not proceed into areas that are posted closed to motorized vehicle use with a motorized vehicle, except as permitted in writing by local land managers.  Areas that are posted open on one end of the trail and closed on the other end of the trail shall be reported to the management agency responsible for the areas concerned.

Trail Specialists will not pioneer new trails.

Trail Specialists will invite others to join them on the rides that they take.  All rides shall be conducted in accordance with the standards set forth below.

Reporting Accuracy

The information you prepare will be true and accurate to the best of your ability.  You will verify information, to the extent reasonably possible with the management agency responsible for the land described by your rides.  You agree to state sources of all information you obtain in preparation for a ride.  The accuracy of the information must be independently variable by references to the sources stated in the documents submitted.

Editorial Privilege

The owners/publishers of the Utah ATV Trails web site reserve the right to have final control over what is published on the web site.  Change to information submitted is likely to occur, and those who submit the original information will, in most cases, be informed of changes to style, content, appearance or any other aspect of the publication of the document on the world wide web.  A good faith effort will be made to inform the submitter of recommended changes prior to publication.

Public Contact

A Trail Specialist has the volunteer role of researching and documenting legal and open trails at venues throughout the State of Utah.  These volunteer individuals have no authority or responsibility to enforce the laws, rules and regulations that may apply.  They are obligated to obey the laws rules and regulations as is any other citizen.

When fellow ATV riders are approached on the trail for the purpose of communication with such riders, the Trail Specialist should first ask permission of the other riders.  "Hi there, Can we chat for a few minutes?"  If they decline the opportunity, then there is no need to pursue it.  Please keep in mind that other people have the right to not be disturbed while using public lands.

When it is obvious that a fellow rider is not complying with the regulations appropriate for a particular area and they are willing to talk with a Trail Specialist, the trail specialist should avoid confrontational situations.  Our primary role is education, not enforcement.  A successful means of educating riders has been found by inquiring about how the rider learned that use of the vehicle in the manner in question was appropriate.  Their response is likely to be that they were not aware that it was not appropriate.  Asking permission again you may show the area map, with its rules and regulations to the riders.  Always act under the supposition that the rider is in compliance with trail regulations and seek for clarification for your own education.  The process of doing so will have the appropriate educational effect on a potential use offender, without being confrontational.

Please share the URL of the Utah ATV Trails with the riders you meet.  The supply of cards you receive will be replenished on request.

Another good idea is to ask the rider where is their favorite place to ride, aside from where they are now.  This is how we can learn of new places to ride and document for our sport.

Never approach someone that you consider may be a personal threat to your safety and well being.  For example, if you determine by their conduct that they are intoxicated or on drugs.   If a person's conduct is a flagrant violation of the rules, laws and regulations and in your personal opinion they should be restrained from doing further damage to public or private, discretely contact local law enforcement authorities and inform them of the location and descriptions of the offenders.  Do not attempt to interfere with or restrain violators in any respect.   You may feel free to take pictures of these individuals while in the act, the damage they have caused and provide that information to authorities.  However, please do so discretely so that your personal safety is not at risk.

Policies and Procedures

You agree to comply with the policies and procedures that are recommended for Trail Specialists and may change from time to time.

Principles

To borrow from the Scout Law of the Boy Scouts of America, here are some principles that apply to the code of conduct of a Trail Specialist...

A Trail Specialist is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent

Yes, they apply to adults too.

Non Discrimination/Harassment

The use of public lands requires that all parties obey and conform to all Federal, State and Local rules, laws and ordinances with regard to non-discrimination.  There shall be no discrimination of any party with regard to their age, race, religion, sex, or political party.  Sexual harassment is inappropriate and should never be allowed under any circumstance during any event associated in any way with Utah ATV Trails web site.  Such offensive conduct is not appropriate topic for humorous discussion or entertainment.

• All riders must wear helmets & goggles
• All drivers must be certified or licensed to legally operate the OHV
• Full length pants and sleeves and over the ankle boots will be worn during rides.
• Rides will average 8-10 miles per hour.
• Please be in good health.
• There will be frequent stops to permit taking pictures to record the trail, its beauty and fun.
• Each driver must bring appropriate clothing food, water, fuel, FRS radios, emergency and first aid supplies to support themselves and those who come with them.
• For the simple reason of reducing fire danger, no smoking permitted in camp/trailhead or on the trail.
• No alcoholic beverages at any time, prior to, during or after a ride.  Just don't even bring it along.  The use of drugs that would impair the judgment or ability of an individual to operate a motor vehicle are also prohibited at all times.
• The use of colorful language is entertaining.  However, profanity is not appreciated.
• Be prepared to participate in prayer in group settings.
• Be friendly, be safe and have fun.  (If you are not of a mind and disposition to have a good time, you might as well stay home.  Please don't bother to share your personal storm cloud.)
• Please prepare your vehicle(s) so that it is in proper working order, in every respect, prior to your ride.
• All riders/drivers must assume their own risk and financial responsibility for damage to themselves and their property, as well as damage they may cause to others by willful intent or accident due to their cause.

• Trails will be ridden in single file with at least 30 feet between machines while riding.
• You will be expected to stay within speeds that permit you to exercise full and safe control over your machine at all times.
• If the group goes faster than you are comfortable riding, do not speed up.  Go your own safe speed. Attempt to contact them via FRS radio and let them know you are going slower.  If you are not sure of the trail ask them to return to your location and escort you along at your appropriate speed.
• The rider ahead must frequently check for the rider immediately behind them.  If visual contact is lost, the rider ahead must stop and wait for the rider behind to catch up, come within visual range, or go back and locate the rider behind.  Do not rely on the sound of an approaching rider as being within proximity of the rider behind you.
• The lead rider will stop at each fork in the road to wait for the last rider to join the group.  If you wait for more than 3 minutes, go back and find the others or contact them via FRS radio and go back.
• If you go beyond the sight of the other members of the group you agree to frequently stop and wait for them to catch up, or contact them via FRS radio to assure that you are not lost or separated by taking the wrong path.  No one wants to waste time and energy trying to locate some idiot who raced off into the wilderness only to become lost.
• Showing off, goofing around, teasing, or other activities that may cause the discomfort of or threaten the safety of yourself or others will not be tolerated.
• You must agree to stay on the trail and avoid damaging sensitive environmental areas.
• Be prepared to offer assistance to any fellow traveler who may need help, be it mechanical (i.e. flat tire), technical (i.e. can't start the machine), medical (injury or illness) or spiritual (lost and can't find their way back home)  Any time such an event occurs the ride will be suspended until the matter is resolved or the appropriate authorities take control of the situation and have no further need of the members of the group to assist.
• Riders in our group will yield to oncoming traffic, be it horse, bicycle, hiker, or other motorized OHV.

You understand and agree that riding off highway vehicles, All Terrain Vehicles or Motorcycles, (collectively "OHV") is inherently a dangerous sport.  Serious injuries, including but not limited to death and serious disability can result from such activities.  By volunteering as a Tail Specialist you agree to be personally responsible for all your personal activities associated in any way with collecting information for publication and distribution to the Utah ATV Trails web site.  The owners and operators or any other person associated with the Utah ATV Trails web site, assume no responsibility for any loss, damage or other injury that may result due to your participation.  You must agree to assume all such liability personally, and all other participants do the same.  You remain responsible for the conduct, liability and safety of any person under the age of 18 that you may participate with you.

You certify that you are legally licensed, or properly certified by the State of Utah to operate an OHV and for safety reasons you agree not to allow anyone who is not properly certified/licensed to operate any OHV.

You agree that during all riding activities that you will come prepared and in good health sufficient to conduct a safe ride. You also agree to stay with the body of the group and to not venture away without the full participation of the group.  Any Rides you will conduct will be preceded by a review of the riding standards.

Free will contribution

By submitting information of any kind, be it GPS Tracks, written or oral descriptions, or photos to Utah ATV Trails web site you are donating the information with no expectation of pay, remuneration or receiving income in any way from your contribution.  All information received becomes the property of Utah ATV Trails web site, its owners and publishers and you agree to waive all copyrights and privileges as pertaining to the information submitted.  You agree that all work submitted is original and that no other party has any claim or copyright applicable to that information.

By replying electronically to this via e-mail with the words "I accept the Trail Specialist Code of Conduct and Waiver of Liability" in the body of the email, you demonstrate your acceptance of these  conditions as if you had  signed a formal written document and you agree to be bound to the terms herein stated.