BLM trails of Canyon Lake popular, but etiquette rules apply

COVID-19 has made outdoor activity more popular than ever. The trails that wind around the BLM land out the North Gate area have never been used more. Now, with summer approaching, activities such as walking, hiking, jogging, cycling and horseback riding are ramping up.

With room limited on the narrow trails, all those using them can co-exist nicely if trail etiquette rules are followed.

Canyon Lakers are fortunate to have hundreds of acres of Bureau of Land Management land at their disposal. On any given day, one can see people hiking, walking dogs and riding horses or mountain bikes outside the North Gate.

Many trail users are unaware of the etiquette and right-of-way rules for sharing local trails with others.

“The basic etiquette rule is ‘Wheels Yield to Heels’,” according to the US Department of Forestry. “Bicyclists yield to all other users. Hikers, runners and walkers yield to horseback riders.” Because of the uncertainty of the skittishness of its horses, equestrians always have the primary right of way.

Several mountain bike groups use and maintain many of the bike trails on the BLM land. Cyclists must, when approaching hikers or horses, always stop and wait until they fully pass before continuing.

When encountering another cyclist, the downhill rider should yield to the rider moving uphill. Since bikes are considered more maneuverable than legs, bikers need to yield to hikers and horses. Because they move faster, bikers should call out as they come down steep slopes or blind switchbacks and should also let others know if there are additional bikers following them.

When coming up behind a slower cyclist, the person behind should call out to let the other know they are coming, wait for an acknowledgment and then pass on the left.

Hikers with dogs should always bring waste bags and plan to carry the bag, full or empty, out with them. Hikers with dogs need to keep their dogs close and under control when passing other hikers, especially children and those with other dogs, as well as cyclists and horses. It is suggested a leash be attached, even if only while passing.

When approaching a horse, hikers should yield and avoid making sudden movements or loud noises that might startle the horse. Acknowledge the equestrian, pay attention and listen for any possible safety suggestions the person on the horse may offer.

Horses always get the right of way as they are the largest and usually least-predictable creatures on the trail. All hikers and cyclists sharing the trail with equestrians should stop and give them as wide a berth as possible. Make sure not to make abrupt movements as they pass and talk calmly to the rider to avoid startling the horse.

Communication is key for approaching a horse from behind and especially when traveling at a greater speed. Horses cannot see behind themselves and may be easily spooked. Slow down and gently stop, use clear communication and listen for any rider instructions. Like with cyclists, when an equestrian encounters another equestrian, the rider going downhill should yield to the rider moving uphill.

Motorized vehicles, including motorcycles, cars, trucks and off-road vehicles, are normally not allowed on local BLM lands.

The trails and their surrounding lands need to be left in their natural state.

“Whenever you’re in the great outdoors, you should expect to follow the rule of ‘Leave No Trace’,” according to the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management. “If you pack it in, pack it out.”

Do not leave trash of any type while using the trails, the bureau said. Obviously cans and bottles are unsightly and damaging to open land and its wildlife, but even things like apple cores or banana peels can be harmful to critters, it said.

The bureau also encourages using only one earbud if listening to music so individuals can hear what’s going on around them. And, of course, remember to watch for snakes.

Equestrians ride along a trail in the Bureau of Land Management land outside the North Gate. The trails are shared by these horses as well as those on foot and on bicycles.