Responsible Recreation Tips

SEASONAL ADVICE ABOUT USING THE ANACORTES COMMUNITY FOREST LANDS BY DAVE OICLES (FORMERLY OF THE PARKS DEPT)

What can we do to help out with trail erosion and degradation of areas along the trail? Plenty… Here are a few tips to follow for every user group that visits the ACFL during the fall and winter months:

WALKERS & HIKERS: Wear a good pair of waterproof boots and trudge right through those puddles on the trails. Most are only a couple of inches deep and drain away after a day or two of dry weather. This will prevent the trampling of vegetation along the sides of the trail and help keep the trail from getting wider. Prevent the short cutting of switchbacks or creating a new trail that shortens your route. Stay on designated trails at all times. Educate others who are walking with you on ways to prevent erosion along the trails.

MOUNTAIN BIKERS: Avoid skirting around wet areas on trails. If you want to diminish the amount of mud on yourself and your bike while riding, purchase a good set of bicycle fenders and outerwear. Skagit Cycles in Anacortes that will be more than happy to hook you up with the right winter gear for your bike and person. Also, please remember to avoid locking up your wheels on downhill slopes at all times of the year, as this creates a permanent grove in the trail surface for water to follow and erode the trail. Adults, please teach your children this very important trail etiquette.

HORSE RIDERS: Learn the trail system well. Many of the trails that are great for summer time riding become very slippery during the fall and winter months. As a result, riders who go on the wrong trails tend to ride off trail to avoid a slippery rock or muddy area, which again only leads to the degradation of native plants and the widening of trails. Use our maps which provide a brief trail description and level of difficulty. Most horse riders during the wet season tend to stay on 2-track/dirt road trails which are generally safer and dry. Please report downed trees that are blocking trails to the Parks Department so we can remove them promptly.

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS: A friendly reminder that all motorcycles are prohibited in the ACFL during the winter seasonal closure which begins November 1st through March 31st of each year. This closure is to help protect the trails and reduce erosion issues. There may be heavy rainfall outside of the closure period so plan your rides accordingly. Avoid spinning your tires and ride in full control and within the 15 mph speed. Avoid u-turns as these maneuvers on single-track trails cause considerable damage along the trail edges. Also, view trail signs to be sure you are on a trail that is open to motorcycle riding. Getting on the wrong trail will likely cause trail damage, erosion, and permanent damage of the trail.

ALCOHOL & PETS

While alcohol is not allowed in the ACFL, we welcome leashed pets on the trails! Please be a good steward and pick up after your pup, for the enjoyment of other users and the health of the forests.

During the summer months, Anacortes Police lends an extra set of eyes and ears to the ACFL, checking on visitors to make sure everyone is following the “no alcohol” ordinance. We all appreciate your cooperation in advance to make sure the ACFL is safe, clean, and welcoming to all!