The sad truth is, there are a LOT of people who would prefer to just shut everything down.
Very true, there are almost as many groups out there fighting to close public access roads and trails as there are groups trying to save them.
I worked as a firefighter for the Forest Service when I was younger, there are so many closed trails out there. When your job entails driving thru the Colorado back country from one Forest Service road to the next patrolling for wildfires and clearing downed trees, you tend to find a few hidden gems that most never stumble across.
Unfortunately I personally had to partake in closing some of these trails by cutting trees to build road blocks. It seemed every year another trail or road made the hit list.
Most people don't realize this but, in the mid 1900's the US Forest Service was constructing more miles of road than any other government entity. This went on for years until lobbyist began to fight the logging industry.
Once their grip tightened on the logging industry their focus turned to OHV access and trail systems. Claiming everything from elevated erosion to EPA violations from vehicle fluids and trash left behind. Unfortunately, these days the general public gives these activist groups way too much ammunition.
As a group on this forum it is very important for all of us to do our part and sometimes the part of others as they seem to leave their part scattered on the ground.
Please volunteer whenever possible to complete trail maintenance and trash pickup in your local area. While doing this is not as enjoyable as being behind the wheel on your favorite trail, not participating in these events can very well cost you the use of your favorite trail in the future. It is also a great way to meet other off-road enthusiasts in your area that you can wheel with in the future.
Let's all do our best to make sure that our children and our grandchildren have somewhere to wheel their Jeeps!
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