Jason Frey's Montana Real Estate: Bozeman Summer Hiking Series

Bozeman Summer Hiking Series - Trail Etiquette Bozeman, Montana Hikes, Jason Frey, PureWest
Follow a Few Simple Rules to Ensure a Great Experience

Good manners go a long way, even in the wilderness and a true measure of our character is how we behave when only the trees are watching. Although not hard and fast "rules", there are certain measures of etiquette that can be exercised on the trail. One of the biggest issues that arises when trails are multi-use (hiking, biking, horseback riding) is yielding the trail. A general rule of thumb is as follows:

Hikers yield to Horses
Bikers yield to hikers and horses

This stems from the fact that bikers are fast and can stop and go easily and horses are big and can unpredictable so they are always given right of way.

Many of our trails on are public lands and it is all of our responsibility to keep them in good condition as well as to ensure they are enjoyed by all. Below are a few guidelines to help achieve both objectives:

Stay on the designated trails. Do not cut switchbacks or take shortcuts as they can cause unnecessary erosion.
Stay to the right on wider paths and pass on the left.
Alert other hikers that you intend to pass them.
If you stop, move off the trail so it is free for others to pass.
Hikers working uphill should be given the right of way over hikers coming downhill. In some instances, uphill hikers will allow downhill hikers the right of way so they may stop and rest. The uphill hiker should choose who receives the right of way.
Say hello to other hikers you meet.
When hiking in a group, yield to single or pair hikers.
When hiking in a group hike single file or take no more than half of a wide trail.
When meeting a horse:
- Get off the trail on the downhill side. Horses will tend to move uphill when spooked. Also, predators usually attack from the uphill side, and your presence there may cause undue alarm to the animal.
- Quietly greet the rider and ask if you are ok where you are.
- Stand quietly while the horses pass.
Hike Quietly. Keep conversations to a minimum and allow others using the trail to enjoy the quiet.
Don't leave any markers when hiking off-trail.
Read trail head guidelines and obey them. There may be specific rules for the trail you are on.
Pack It In - Pack It Out.
Take picture rather than removing items.
Report vandalism. If there is contact information at the trail head, tell the managing agency of any destruction or management needs you notice.
Clean up after your pets.