Fire Trail Questions

[4Runnin Tahoe]

Lets just say a Fire Trail gate just happens to open... how much trouble would someone get into if they got caught driving on one? That someone wouldn't do anything too crazy, just explore and stick to the trail...

Also what about other areas (ex: hills near a neighborhood) that don't have trails or signs that say "No Vehicles".

Just curious. Any feedback would be great.
The someone I mentioned above lives in California btw...

 

[KidVermicious]

If you know it's a restricted access area, stay out, open gate or not. If it's private property and you don't know for sure the owner is ok with you being there, stay out.

Respected access is open access. This really shouldn't be a question.

 

[4Runnin Tahoe]

If you know it's a restricted access area, stay out, open gate or not. If it's private property and you don't know for sure the owner is ok with you being there, stay out.

Respected access is open access. This really shouldn't be a question.

Ya, I hear ya man. Thanks. But I really don't know what the laws are of a Fire Trail, cause the ones I see only say "fire trail" it doesn't say "restricted" or "authorized vehicles only", and its really hard to find any of the rules/laws online...

 

[KidVermicious]

Ya, I hear ya man. Thanks. But I really don't know what the laws are of a Fire Trail, cause the ones I see only say "fire trail" it doesn't say "restricted" or "authorized vehicles only", and its really hard to find any of the rules/laws online...

Well, whose gate is it? If it's BLM or Forest Service, a call to your local office would probably get you an official answer.

Sorry for being preachy.

 

[4Runnin Tahoe]

Well, whose gate is it? If it's BLM or Forest Service, a call to your local office would probably get you an official answer.

Sorry for being preachy.

Idk, but ya a call would clear things up lol. These trails just look so much fun and are in really cool areas.
You're not being preachy, you're totally right about the whole respect thing

 

[BucknutBob]

I second KidV 100%--any gate is tied to a person or agency that can be called for an official response. Call the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Mgmt, or other proper agency--if you're allowed to be there, they won't tell you otherwise, because they really do want people out there enjoying the area if it's open to them. As for the areas with no trails, that's cut and dried--do NOT go there, because that's the kind of behavior that gets entire areas closed, and gives us all a bad name. For routes with gates that are considered open, make sure you leave the gate in whatever position you found it--if it's closed, close it after you go through. Tread Lightly and trail etiquette aren't some evil plots to keep us down--they're good, logical guidelines for preserving the places we call fun. I'm sure you'll do the right thing!

 

[OzarkRunner]

Another vote for what KidV said. Many places in my area are off limits for designated months to protect wildlife; I make a quick call to the nearest ranger station to find out if the gates should or should not be open.