(from the Friends of Ute Valley Park)
When it comes to using any trail, the question arises with regards to whom or what has the right of way when encountering others on the trail. Although there are specific guidelines published by several different outdoor associations for who has the right of way, the most important guideline is respect for everyone and everything on the trail.
Everyone out enjoying trails is there to have a good time so the simplicity of being pleasant can solve most problems encountered on the trail. The Boulder Mountain Bike Alliance says “treat everyone like they are your mother and if you do not like your mother then pick someone you really like”.
However, if you are more apt to follow specific guidelines then the following are the trails etiquette protocol that should be followed (put simply, wheels yield to heels):
- Hiker/Jogger vs Bikers – Mountain bikes are considered to be more maneuverable than hikers’ abilities to move, so bikers are generally expected to yield to hikers on the trails. However, courtesy would dictate that if bikers are ascending an incline, then it would be easier for the hiker to yield and should consider yielding to the bikers. Bikers should always be aware of their surroundings. This entails bikers calling out as they are moving downhill or going around blind corners and making hikers aware of more bikers coming behind them.
- Hiker/Jogger vs Horses – Since horses are the most difficult trail user to maneuver and most unpredictable, horses always have the right of way from both hikers and mountain bikers. In addition, when crossing paths with horses you should give them a wide berth and make sure when passing them you do it calmly to avoid startling the animal. If you are passing a horse on a narrow trail you should move off the trail to the downhill side (when possible).
- Hiker/Jogger vs Hiker/Jogger – Hikers moving uphill have the right of way. Generally, hikers moving uphill have a smaller field of vision, are more in a hiking rhythm and breaking that rhythm on an incline is more difficult to get restarted. Although the uphill hiker may yield to the downhill hiker, this is at the uphill hiker’s discretion. When passing another hiker from behind please be courteous and let them know in a polite way announcing that you will be passing them. Finally, always stay on the trail when passing anyone to avoid unnecessary trail expansion and erosion.