Can a trail ride have too many people and cars?

[cewtwo]

I returned from Moab yesterday.

We drove Poison Spider Mesa on Saturday just behind a Jeep Jamboree group of 20 Jeeps. We caught up them at "The Wedge."

We ran the bypass (after all we were a lone jeep) came over the top and there was a large group of Jeeps. As we came down, we monitored their chatter on CB4. It seemed like they saw us and took off. I'm sure it wasn't, but it seemed that way...

As they left, we counted 20 Jeeps. The Wedge is near the top (High Spped Mesa) & their group held us, a group of 3 Jeeps, 2 quads and 4 bikers waiting for them to negotiate the wall at the top.

Once we reached the top, we decided to do some trail maintenance on the back axle so they could get way ahead... As they drove High Speed Mesa, I counted twenty Jeeps.

They drove part of the Golden Spike and we went on to the PSM loop.

On their way down, one of the TJ's in the group broke a traction bar. The 5 vehicles that stayed with the injured TJ were parked all over the trail. We waited awhile then asked to get by. We did not get much response so we were forced to go a bit off trail to get by.

My questions are - Should there be a limit on the number of Jeeps in any one party? Should they allow faster moving groups to pass through them?

 

[TwistedCU]

Maybe in a paid park there should be limits, but in a free park they should be able to run large groups.

Just my opinion.

 

[laxpug19]

It should be common curtosy to let a faster group go through. anyone who plays golf knows this wnen your stuck behind 4 hold timers chuggin down beer you dont wanna spend 7 hours there..

 

[Sparky-Watts]

I figure paid park or not, they've got just as much right to be there as anyone, and just as much right to drive the trail at their own speed. However, I find the part about them blocking the trail when the TJ broke down to be a bit rude.

It's the same as 10 pairs of 2 Jeeps driving in close proximity....if you were behind the 10th pair, would you still ask or expect them all to pull over and let you through the obstacles first? What if it were 5 groups of 4 Jeeps and you were behind the 5th group? Even if there were 100 Jeeps on the trail, all close to each other, but not as a group, you wouldn't ask to pass them all so that you could get to the obstacle first, would you? I think it's common courtesy to wait your turn.

 

[currupt4130]

To me its like golf, if a group is going faster than yours (and much smaller), let them by. Pull off the trail and let them roll on.

My favorite size group is about 5-7 people. Its enough to sit and BS b/w obstacles and watch, but still roll on relatively quickly

 

[jeepless20]

have you ever heard of the old saying "if you cant beat em, join em." say im weelin alone. i come up on a group of other Jeepers. what will i do. well as normal i get out and start BSin', next thing you know i would be weelin with them having more fun with them than if i was alone.

 

[currupt4130]

But you dont have a Jeep?:???:

 

[mingez]

Actually, I think the paid parks should be limitless, since they pay. Funds go to the folks that maintain the area. Therefore, the area can take more abuse.

Free parks are generally managed by public funds and require nature to do the recovery work on whatever damage occurs.

Plus, the more damage done to free lands, the more likely those priveledges will get taken away by those that don't sympathize with our hobby.

 

[dropseys]

I agree with the golf analogy. If there is a smaller group behind you that is moving faster and keeps catching up, then common courtesy is to let them pass. As for joining them, they didn't sound too friendly. Blocking the trail and when asked to pass through they didn't respond. Kinda rude if you ask me.

 

[Utah_jeepster]

twenty is a good size...but during EJS, on super saturday they run 50 jeeps per trail!

Now here is a stinker...Everyone here knows about the Rubicon trail, on some sections if you break you can be holding up to 100 jeeps because there is no by-pass nor is there any place to go around!

 

[Sully]

I quit big runs, they're hectic and too slow. I agree 5 - 7 is good.

 

[Utah_jeepster]

I think that is why we always drop down to Moab the weekend after Easter, no one theres ecpt the two wheeled targets, and a stray tourist or two.
Your right inbetween the EJS and the clasic car show....

 

[mud4feet]

I quit big runs, they're hectic and too slow. ....

I'm thinkin' that's what the Jeep Jamboree's must be like..................and expensive!!!

 

[TwistedCU]

I'm thinkin' that's what the Jeep Jamboree's must be like..................and expensive!!!

I agree, they are definately expensive and I couldn't even think about running a trail in the middle of 50 Jeeps. The biggest group that I ever ran with was about 15, and that was hectic. Even though we split up twice, when we ran as a whole group some obstacles took forever.

 

[bchcky]

i didn't read everyone's post, but i'll share anyways. of course you can have too many, but you can also have too few (never wheel alone!). but as with anything else, courtesy and respect, both for the surrounding environment and your fellow off roaders goes a long way. those sayings, tread lightly, if you pack it in, pack it out, etc... just have some courtesy. if you wanna have a ton of people, fine, but be nice to smaller groups. its like golf, a 4some will usually let a 2some play through for the sake of sportsmanship and courtesy.