Dirt Road Etiquette

[MtnT4R]

Alright, so as we know, there are a lot more clueless folks driving on back country roads these days who have no idea what the common courtesies are, but this year seems to be getting worse. I thought we could start a discussion on what constitutes 'common sense' when encountering other vehicles on dirt roads.

1. When approaching another vehicle, or biker, hiker, etc....SLOW DOWN to a speed where the dirt doesn't fly and you can navigate around one another safely.

2. Make an effort to wave, make eye contact, say hi- just be friendly. This ain't the interstate folks.

3. When on a steep and narrow road, the UPHILL vehicle has the right of way. Sometimes the situation requires one party just use the most convenient pullout, but gauge the situation and just be aware.

4. If you are driving along and are approached by a vehicle from the rear who appears to be traveling faster than you, pull over at the next available shoulder and wave them by. Don't create a traffic jam and an argument just because you don't think they should be driving faster than you.

Any other suggestions or comments you all want to add?

I bring this up because late last night I was trying to get home and ended up passing 3 vehicles along the way. Two vehicles saw my headlights and pulled to the side just like normal, I thanked them and continued past them on my way just fine. The third guy just kept driving in the middle of the road for about ten minutes- I didn't crowd him or flash my lights, just sort of waited for him to get the hint. He finally pulled off, and as I went to roll my window down to wave and say thank you, he thrust his middle finger out the window and screamed at me like a maniac, and then tried to chase me down the rest of the road. I'll tell you guys right now, road rage on a back road in the middle of nowhere is pretty bad news and your best option is to just get out of there fast. No cameras, no passerby, and no cops to help you if that jackass wants to back up his verbal threats.

 

[spencenasty]

I didn't know passing on a dirt road was such a debacle.

 

[MtnT4R]

I didn't know passing on a dirt road was such a debacle.

You have no idea. In CO we have such a busy weekend warrior crowd- great for the tourism industry, but they flood our National Forest access with barely adequate vehicles and pretty much zero knowledge of how to drive without lanes and traffic lights. It makes for some interesting encounters.

 

[Range]

Alright, so as we know, there are a lot more clueless folks driving on back country roads these days who have no idea what the common courtesies are, but this year seems to be getting worse. I thought we could start a discussion on what constitutes 'common sense' when encountering other vehicles on dirt roads.

1. When approaching another vehicle, or biker, hiker, etc....SLOW DOWN to a speed where the dirt doesn't fly and you can navigate around one another safely.

2. Make an effort to wave, make eye contact, say hi- just be friendly. This ain't the interstate folks.

3. When on a steep and narrow road, the UPHILL vehicle has the right of way. Sometimes the situation requires one party just use the most convenient pullout, but gauge the situation and just be aware.

4. If you are driving along and are approached by a vehicle from the rear who appears to be traveling faster than you, pull over at the next available shoulder and wave them by. Don't create a traffic jam and an argument just because you don't think they should be driving faster than you.

Any other suggestions or comments you all want to add?

I bring this up because late last night I was trying to get home and ended up passing 3 vehicles along the way. Two vehicles saw my headlights and pulled to the side just like normal, I thanked them and continued past them on my way just fine. The third guy just kept driving in the middle of the road for about ten minutes- I didn't crowd him or flash my lights, just sort of waited for him to get the hint. He finally pulled off, and as I went to roll my window down to wave and say thank you, he thrust his middle finger out the window and screamed at me like a maniac, and then tried to chase me down the rest of the road. I'll tell you guys right now, road rage on a back road in the middle of nowhere is pretty bad news and your best option is to just get out of there fast. No cameras, no passerby, and no cops to help you if that jackass wants to back up his verbal threats.

My .357 Sig and iPhone video recording says otherwise should such a dumb ass decide to run me off the road or get out of his car and attempt to assault me especially if my family is in the car. I know it sounds like internet tough guy talk but I've been in this situation before and when the dumb f*ck saw me recording him saying in a very soft tone "sir you are making me feel threatened for my life and I am warning you I will be forced to use my weapon if you do not back away from my vehicle", the situation is quickly resolved.

 

[Jernik]

One to add: Be careful at intersections. Don't run into that cloud of dust the truck that just went through the intersection kicked up, because there might be another car IN that cloud following. You'll never see each other until your heads butt together over the hood of your crumpled up cars.

I recall too many bad wrecks due to this when I lived where there were a lot of gravel roads.

As for other drivers... jerks are everywhere now. It's too bad one moron can ruin your trip when most other drivers out there are decent people - even if they don't always pay attention to what they're doing like they're supposed to.

 

[MyHigh]

Well, one thing I appreciate is when people let you know how many is in your party. Like dirt bikes, when riding past in either direction hold up three or four fingers for example, to let you know more are coming so please be cautious. Yeah I know it's hard for larger parties but usually as the party passes the last will wave all clear or still provide info that more are behind them.

 

[Ron4RNevada]

ALL the off roaders in northern Nevada are courteous; maybe it's because almost all northern Nevadans are off roaders - - - :humble:

I rarely see any one in the boonies here but when I do:

Every group stops and lets you know how many are following -
Everyone pulls out to let you by - Sometimes we both pull out -
Everyone stops to make sure you're not in trouble if you're stopped -

Perhaps it's so nice here because the vast majority are ranchers, prospectors and hunters - Nevada (the northern half anyway) is pretty much populated by very nice people...... Even the visiting northern Californians are great!

- Las Vegans is another story -

 

[1engineer]

99% of mountain bikers are like that. Help, let you know how many like "Four Behind!" when going the opposite direction, etc. Vehicles? Not so much. Now hikers are a different story lol. Several of us maintain about 9 miles of trail we built locally. We built the bridges, we pick up sticks, we fill the washes, we cut the big deadfalls, etc. We don't care who uses it either as we built it for all. When you pass hikers though... it's like you are threatening them and they own the trail! I gave up telling them "On your left" because that just makes them into deer in the headlights people. I now just ding my bell several times and go around them after they finally move. What kills me though is the ones with headphones! In a forest? And some of them wearing dark or camo clothing? WTF? Whew, rant over lol.

 

[Davy180]

I agree with all of this!

One thing I would like to add if you have a off-road lights on and are coming towards me, turn them off when my lights reach yours. It's not necessary to blind me.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

Well, one thing I appreciate is when people let you know how many is in your party. Like dirt bikes, when riding past in either direction hold up three or four fingers for example, to let you know more are coming so please be cautious. Yeah I know it's hard for larger parties but usually as the party passes the last will wave all clear or still provide info that more are behind them.

this one is huge with the ATV, UTV, dirt bike crowd. I just was on a trip in NH with 17 other riders and when youre moving 35mph down a 1.5 lane atv trail, its pretty important to know when youre clear

 

[Unner]

Alright, so as we know, there are a lot more clueless folks driving on back country roads these days who have no idea what the common courtesies are, but this year seems to be getting worse. I thought we could start a discussion on what constitutes 'common sense' when encountering other vehicles on dirt roads.

1. When approaching another vehicle, or biker, hiker, etc....SLOW DOWN to a speed where the dirt doesn't fly and you can navigate around one another safely.

2. Make an effort to wave, make eye contact, say hi- just be friendly. This ain't the interstate folks.

3. When on a steep and narrow road, the UPHILL vehicle has the right of way. Sometimes the situation requires one party just use the most convenient pullout, but gauge the situation and just be aware.

4. If you are driving along and are approached by a vehicle from the rear who appears to be traveling faster than you, pull over at the next available shoulder and wave them by. Don't create a traffic jam and an argument just because you don't think they should be driving faster than you.

Any other suggestions or comments you all want to add?

I bring this up because late last night I was trying to get home and ended up passing 3 vehicles along the way. Two vehicles saw my headlights and pulled to the side just like normal, I thanked them and continued past them on my way just fine. The third guy just kept driving in the middle of the road for about ten minutes- I didn't crowd him or flash my lights, just sort of waited for him to get the hint. He finally pulled off, and as I went to roll my window down to wave and say thank you, he thrust his middle finger out the window and screamed at me like a maniac, and then tried to chase me down the rest of the road. I'll tell you guys right now, road rage on a back road in the middle of nowhere is pretty bad news and your best option is to just get out of there fast. No cameras, no passerby, and no cops to help you if that jackass wants to back up his verbal threats.

All good stuff, especially the passing thing. I understand it's a dirt road, but I want to drive more than 3 mph, so please pull over and let me by... I always wave at everyone, but it seems most people only wave back because I waved at them, even the older folks...

I agree with all of this!

One thing I would like to add if you have a off-road lights on and are coming towards me, turn them off when my lights reach yours. It's not necessary to blind me.

I was going to add this but you beat me. I've got a lot of lumens on the front of my truck, and I know they are blinding so I always shut them off when I see another vehicle either oncoming or going the same direction. Now if only we could teach this to all the Bros out there...

Also, if you're in the bigger vehicle and someone is coming the other way you should be the one to pull off if possible. I always pull off and let other people pass, but especially if they decided they should take their Monte Carlo out into the woods to go fishing and have already nearly torn the front bumper off multiple times...

 

[CXS]

Here are a couple good resources:

Stay The Trail Colorado - Etiquette

http://www.treadlightly.org

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Usually when I'm in Hollister I'll mention to the Jeeps or w/e passing by how many we have in a line and/or radio ahead to let the guys know we got traffic coming (as do the other guys.) I had one Jeep group tell me and some guys coming down from the hill that we had to reverse this nasty, tight, twisty, cliff-side trail to let them pass; to which I was like, "dude... we have a couple newbies that barely made it going forward, I'm sorry but reverse is not happening..." They made a huff, but were nice enough to let us by with a bit of a "we could do it" attitude (cue eyeroll )

Even in the mountains most people tend to be a bit more forgiving/courteous than people just barreling down dirt roads. I think in the areas you see more people going to off-road/wheel they tend to be more understanding/sympathetic; while on dirt roads as you pointed out people are just traversing and the quality of person varies far more.

 

[02SE]

Any other suggestions or comments you all want to add?

My biggest annoyance when I'm on a dirt trail, is the garbage that pigs just leave, wherever they happen to be.

If I'm heading out to drive a trail, I now take garbage bags, so I can pick up after the pigs. Beer bottles and cans seem to be the most common things I find, followed closely by bullet-riddled targets and spent ammunition.

Which brings me to my next rant: Bullet riddled signs that are no longer readable. Hey dumbasses, if you really want to shoot something that in your eyes is worthless, how about just shooting each other, and saving the rest of civilized society some aggravation. :hello:

 

[Jimmy_D]

Speaking of maniacs, our 4-wheel group here in Crested Butte did Marble/Lead King/Punchbowl/Schofield Pass yesterday and while going through Gothic on my way back to Crested Butte a Suburu pulled out of a parking lot RIGHT in front of me. I followed at a safe distance until the road straightened out and there was plenty of room to pass (he was going a little below the speed limit of 25 mph). I didn't want to eat his dust all the way back to town so I attempted to pass him. I was going about 30 mph as I pulled up next to him. He swerved over wildly trying to block me from passing him. He ran me off the road slightly so I swerved back against him. As we made contact he backed off. He then followed behind me until we got into the town of Mt. Crested Butte. I pulled into the Marshall's Office parking lot in order to file a report. He followed me into the lot and got out of his car as one of my passengers and I went into the building. I told one of the Marshall's what had transpired and that the kid (he looked to be early 20's) was outside. The Marshall I was talking to sent the other Marshall out to talk to the kid. The kid essentially told the Marshall's the same story my 2 passengers and I did....that being that he attempted to keep me from passing him. I'm not sure what his justification was but he apparently thought he was entitled to do whatever he felt necessary to keep me from getting by him. The Marshall's immediately wrote him a ticket to his great surprise. I guess he felt he could do whatever he pleased since he seemed to think the road was all his. The contact did absolutely nothing to my vehicle but left some serious tire rub marks all down the side of his Suburu. I didn't inspect it any closer to see if there was any damage besides the tire marks and slight indentations they left.

 

[MyHigh]

Like mentioned by others, the good ol thumbs up when others slow down to see why your hood is open. I'm not one to offer service/help to those within city limits but always slow down at least and try to make eye contact with other party that is off on the side not moving. It's easy to know when to stop, mountain pass...yes, night time.....yes, incliment weather.....yes, old grandma....yes, hot blonde/brunette/redhead/...yes,yes,yes.

Basically just look after one another when outdoors, we all have family in one form or another that would very much love to see them come home.

 

[MtnT4R]

My biggest annoyance when I'm on a dirt trail, is the garbage that pigs just leave, wherever they happen to be.

If I'm heading out to drive a trail, I now take garbage bags, so I can pick up after the pigs. Beer bottles and cans seem to be the most common things I find, followed closely by bullet-riddled targets and spent ammunition.

Which brings me to my next rant: Bullet riddled signs that are no longer readable. Hey dumbasses, if you really want to shoot something that in your eyes is worthless, how about just shooting each other, and saving the rest of civilized society some aggravation. :hello:

I've been trying to promote this with the people I know around here- I keep a box of heavy duty contractor bags in my truck, and sometimes fill an entire bag on some of the more heavily traveled roads. It never ceases to amaze me that people who visit the mountains for the beauty and wildness think nothing of leaving their trash behind. Just to be clear- its not just tourists, there are plenty of dumbass high school kids and other careless idiots who party up in the woods and just try to burn everything and leave a lot of crap behind. This usually results in the Forest Service coming in, cleaning everything up, and putting up a gate to bar access to everyone.

 

[Jernik]

I've been trying to promote this with the people I know around here- I keep a box of heavy duty contractor bags in my truck, and sometimes fill an entire bag on some of the more heavily traveled roads. It never ceases to amaze me that people who visit the mountains for the beauty and wildness think nothing of leaving their trash behind. Just to be clear- its not just tourists, there are plenty of dumbass high school kids and other careless idiots who party up in the woods and just try to burn everything and leave a lot of crap behind. This usually results in the Forest Service coming in, cleaning everything up, and putting up a gate to bar access to everyone.

If it makes you feel better (it doesn't) but this applies everywhere. We take bags with us to the beach, to the hills, to the lake, to the park. People are just... no words. Too sad. :moping:

 

[Jernik]

99% of mountain bikers are like that. Help, let you know how many like "Four Behind!" when going the opposite direction, etc. Vehicles? Not so much. Now hikers are a different story lol. Several of us maintain about 9 miles of trail we built locally. We built the bridges, we pick up sticks, we fill the washes, we cut the big deadfalls, etc. We don't care who uses it either as we built it for all. When you pass hikers though... it's like you are threatening them and they own the trail! I gave up telling them "On your left" because that just makes them into deer in the headlights people. I now just ding my bell several times and go around them after they finally move. What kills me though is the ones with headphones! In a forest? And some of them wearing dark or camo clothing? WTF? Whew, rant over lol.

Semi hi-jack: but I don't get the animosity between hikers, bikers (even mtn bike vs road bike). I suppose it comes down to basic respect for others - something that seems to be going the way of the Dodo bird. But is it really that much more of a hassle to share a trail with a bike than it is a person on foot, - or vice versa? Really?

Anyway, :focus:

 

[MtnT4R]

The kid essentially told the Marshall's the same story my 2 passengers and I did....that being that he attempted to keep me from passing him. I'm not sure what his justification was but he apparently thought he was entitled to do whatever he felt necessary to keep me from getting by him. The Marshall's immediately wrote him a ticket to his great surprise. I guess he felt he could do whatever he pleased since he seemed to think the road was all his.

I think this is probably the biggest misconception that townies(if you'll excuse the term) have when they start driving on back roads. Yes, on pavement the tailing vehicle has to wait for a passing lane, but on dirt its the exact opposite. And there's really no way for them to know unless they ask someone or check online before going, and you know nobody does that.