HikeArizona.COM

I just came across this clip that is a little disturbing. I hope it doesn't show up in other areas.
http://m.therepublic.com/view/story/0b0 ... ike-Strips

A get bulletins on this kind of thing, and similar much more dangerous, quite often. It is much more common than people think on federal and state public lands! It used to be not so much on trails, just around places someone was trying to hide. It has been trending this way, trails, for quite some time. While on foot patrol on a trail system where I used to work on state land, I found what appeared to be the makings of boobie trap in its early stages. I believe it was being placed there by a drifter to try to ward people off, but I came upon the area and he left before I saw him. It was somewhat obvious, but for someone never taught to recognize them, it would not have been.

BE CAREFUL OUT ON THE TRAIL, AND ALWAYS TAKE NOTE OF THINGS THAT LOOK OUT OF PLACE OR UNNATURAL!!

If that's what it takes to keep vehicles out of places they don't belong... :STP:

@CannondaleKid
And exactly what are some of those "places they don't belong..."? I did a cursory Google search and found zero, zilch, nada restrictions on any motorized vehicles such as motorcycles and ATV's under 50" width. As a matter of fact, Rampart Range is one of the most popular public riding areas in Colorado, and for good reason, http://www.atvaonline.com/Riding/WhereT ... Range.aspx.

There are many places on the Mogollon rim signed for no ATVs, but that doesn't seem to keep them out of there. While I have actually observed ATV riders that appear to respect the rules, my observations are the the majority I've encountered have no respect for the restrictions imposed upon where to ride.

@SAMBA I will admit I have no first-hand knowledge of the Rampart Range so all I had to go on was:
Forest officials say strips studded with nails were buried in a trail bed so that wheeled vehicles would be damaged
From that statement it comes across to me it was a hiking trail and the strips were to damage vehicles that did not belong on that specific trail.

However, I know of many areas in AZ where ATV/OHV/UTV's are not allowed yet that hasn't stopped them. Ask Shawn why they have to put up barriers to keep ATV's off the Arizona Trail... if those folks would stay out and the barriers weren't needed I'm sure that would save money for better use on the AZT.

I myself have driven where I didn't belong because...
1. Before going in the area I called the FS Ranger District responsible for the area on two separate occasions and was told both times the road was open to vehicular use, including ATV's and 4x4's.
2. There was no signage saying the previously open road was now designated a trail, nor was there signage prohibiting vehicles that were allowed in the past.
However, once I found out the change in designation, I no longer drive there.

So whenever I see folks in whatever kind of vehicle knowingly driving in areas well-marked prohibiting those vehicles, I see them as the law-breakers they are.

@CannondaleKid

My comments were directed specifically about Rampart Range. I'm a proud member of the NON-ORV community, and I concur with you about all illegal ORV activity. I'm not even that thrilled with the legal activity, but I tolerate it, and try to refrain from painting all ORVers with the same "bad apple" brush (did I just mix a metaphor?). That said, has there ever been a documented case of ANY ORVer carrying out his litter from one of his forays into the outback?

http://arizonahighways.wordpress.com/20 ... n-vandals/

@Alston Neal

I almost posted the same article, but then I realized the funny part was they were looking for ORV vandals who vandalized another ORV spot for less experienced drivers...I was like well at least they didn't ruin something designed for hikers this time..lol

Two more trails w/nails
http://www.koaa.com/news/boards-with-na ... ke-trails/