Trail User Etiquette
Due to an increasing interest in outdoor recreation, OVLC trails are receiving more traffic than ever before. OVLC trails are primarily multi-use trails, open to equestrians, mountain bikers, and hikers/runners. Please be courteous to other users, share the trail, and follow these guidelines when you are using OVLC trails:
Mountain bikers yield to hikers.
Bikers and hikers yield to equestrians.
Riders Use Caution
Mountain bikers and equestrians should ride with caution at a safe and controlled speed. All OVLC trails are bi-directional and users should anticipate oncoming traffic. Be prepared to yield.
Mountain bikers and equestrians should make themselves known when encountering or attempting to pass other users and when approaching blind turns.
Please have a bell on your bike/horse or verbally announce yourself.
Electric Bikes
Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on OVLC trails, but cannot exceed a speed of 20 mph.
Class 3 e-bikes are not allowed on OVLC trails.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Always make sure you can hear what is going on around you. If you are listening to music or talking on the phone, please make sure you only use one earbud. This will allow you to hear the rattle of a snake, the bells on a mountain bike, or other trails users needing your attention.
Stay on Trail
Stay on the trail—because you may be trampling sensitive vegetation and stressing fragile, arid ecosystems. Only step off the trail when allowing other users to pass.
Don’t cut switchbacks as they easily erode hillsides and damage surrounding vegetation.
Respect Trail Closures
Respect trail closures—We occasionally close muddy trails to mountain bikers and equestrians. Riding on muddy trails widens the trail and destroys the trail tread. Not to mention repairs are costly for the OVLC to maintain and take away funds from other projects like creating new trails and acquiring new land.
If you come across a puddle on the trail, walk or ride through it rather than going around it to avoid widening the trail.
Respect Private Property
A few of our trails pass through or adjacent to private property. It is imperative that we all respect the privacy of neighboring landowners in an effort to prevent any access disputes. Do not trespass.
Leave No Trace
Practice ‘Leave No Trace’ principles:
Plan ahead and be prepared. Leave what you find. Pack out what you pack in. Do not litter. Use the trash cans at our trailheads. Respect wildlife. Be considerate of other users.
Leash your dog and pick up the poop. Nobody likes coming across poop on the trail.
Volunteer
OVLC trails are here because people work hard to keep them open, safe, and enjoyable. All trail users play an important shared role in maintaining our collective trail system and all users should be respectful to others when using our trails. We hope you’ll come out and volunteer with us, as we continue to protect the land that has been entrusted to our care »
