Trail Map Proposed

Bobbie Bicknell Coray
Reporter, Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  May 6, 2015.  Mitch Poulsen, Director of the Bear Lake Regional Commission,  reported to the County Commission that a Trail Plan was put together in March with a group to provide input.  The group talked about existing trails and determine actual trail routes not just erosion trails.  A rough draft of a map has been created.

Poulsen  wants a trail map published and put it in a digital format as well as printed.  The trail group also has designated trails that they would like to see built.  They would like to make the map interactive so that people who took the trails could add input  like “Trip Advisor”.

Commissioner Tom Weston thinks that areas should be designated as BLM, private lands or other ownership.  Mitch said some of the trails meander through all sorts of designations and have been trails so long that people use them, but if advertised might be a problem.  These trails can be seen from arial photos which means that they are used a great deal.  Weston said that some areas have rattlesnakes and that probably should be called out on the map.

Poulsen said that they must enforce people staying on the trail.  Ultimately trail markers should be installed.  There will be links to GPS .   Poulsen said the next step is identifying which trails go through private property and if the property owners are agreeable to this. 

Weston noted that  often access roads and trails are by the water supply and people leave garbage and it may keep the cattle away from the water source if there are too many people. “I think you cannot advertise trails on private land, said Tom Weston. 

There is a proposed trail on the east side which might push ATV to the east side. From South to North Eden Canyon and 95% is on public land.  Commissioner Bill Cox said that all trails should be on public land, because the county cannot promote trespass even if they have been used before.  Ancillary trails have been illegally created by four wheelers even on private property.

In the future Poulsen would like to see Idaho interface with Utah trails.  There is a need for trails so the commission will encourage the development of trails.  When trails are developed and maintained,  there is less vandalism and garbage left behind.   And hopefully , user groups will self police as there is an increasing problem with garbage and graffiti.