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What are your thoughts on who has the Right-of-Way between hikers?

more importantly, lets get people on the same page for "who goes first at the stop sign"
and these people vote?!!

I've always thought that the hiker going uphill has the right of way.
Hikers and bikers always yield to horses. Bikers yield to hikers.
Also, always say "hi" or "howdy" or something along those lines

It depends. If somebody is hardcore and I'm leisurely strolling along, I'll give up the right of way even if I'm the one ascending. Though mostly if I'm on a trail where "right-of-way" is even an issue ... I'm on the wrong trail.

chumley wrote:If somebody is hardcore and I'm leisurely strolling along, I'll give up the right of way even if I'm the one ascending.

I voted for ascending always has the right of way, but I do agree with this scenario and I can certainly see where this scenario could/would be an issue for consideration on Camelback & Piewesta Peak summit trails.

This isn't in the rulebook or anything, but I tend to yield to anyone who looks like they're struggling more than me, whether they're going up or down

You people see other hikers on your trips??

If needed, I typically move to the side no matter what.

dshillis wrote:I tend to yield to anyone who looks like they're struggling more than me

Without a doubt! If not for courtesy for the simple fact you don't want them falling on you

I'm not touching this one since I frequent trails whose first mile or so are popular destinations...

nonot wrote:You people see other hikers on your trips??

NO!
Well, okay, yes, occasionally I do. It has usually been in the Canyon. I wanted to hike all the trails there, so of course I have hiked Kaibab, Hermit, BA, Supai, etc., at least once.

Uphill hikers have the right-of-way. I'm not sure where I first heard that rule, but I know it was drilled into me at some point. I have tried this out on trail when I'm backpacking. I still enjoy using my really ancient, very wide, external frame pack if I am trail hiking. So if I am heading uphill and see some yoyos running down toward me looking as though they aren't planning to give me the right-of-way, sometimes I just TAKE the right of way, blocking them with that big pack, and forcing them to slow down and go around me! It works! I am a very small person, and that pack is pretty big.

Not sure how to work "img" so guess you will have to look at me on HAZ facebook.

azbackpackr wrote:Uphill hikers have the right-of-way. I'm not sure where I first heard that rule, but I know it was drilled into me at some point.

liz, likely when you got your learner's permit as the rule follows the right of way for uphill vehicle traffic.

Many of the trail heads here nearer to the more popular trails in the Catalinas and Rincons have little informational signs warning people about water, etc; they also have the yield triangle and many state that ascending parties have the right-of-way. Not that anyone who didn't know otherwise reads those...

yea, but to be honest I normally expect to have to yield regardless on those trails. Well... within the first couple miles. It's really only irritating when you've got a pack, you're going up hill.. and to yield you have to stop and go down hill to find a spot to stand out of the way..

edit: when hiking or backpacking I'll normally yield to trailrunners, simply because I too hate breaking a nice stride.

I look at it this way: When I yield, I now have control over the situation and can ensure that I am on firm footing. That's more important to me than "Being right" or "Showing that SOB who thinks he owns the trail," etc...

I usually prefer the "I got to a good place to stop first" method of yielding - though I've been known to step aside when I'm heading up hill as a welcome little breather. I find that it's usually not an issue except on the first couple of miles of very popular trails in the high season, and usually only with younger people. Unsupervised, rude teenagers at the Grand Canyon in flip flops and blingy sunglasses should never have the right-of-way in my mind. Luckily my hiking sticks usually take care of such things for me.

I tend to yield first, because I like to choose where I will stop. Thankfully, I rarely have to worry about it, because I am usually the only one on the trail

writelots wrote: Unsupervised, rude teenagers at the Grand Canyon in flip flops and blingy sunglasses should never have the right-of-way in my mind. Luckily my hiking sticks usually take care of such things for me.

I have to admit that I don't take the moral "High Ground" with these types, either. That goes double for the greek-letter crowd on trails in the Tucson basin tightly grasping a Starbucks cup and whining on about how "lame" some party was the night before. They get the full effect of my desire to "Run and jump like majestic leopard!!"



...Sorry, that commercial is hilarious.

Okay Jeff Dirty "Bear" Harry ;)

But only if you're wearing a fur lined cap and carrying only your own urine in the Nalgene!

In response to sirena:
Just as a note, I have your tag line quote on the wall of my office. It's a great reminder for trail designers!