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Mountain Biking in Designated Wilderness Areas - Bondy's Opinion

Originally posted on January 17, 2019

Geotagged at 42.6825104, -116.4756164

Link to photo: https://photos.app.goo.gl/CaLoeCnRLADyR1KH8


There is an ongoing debate about whether mountain biking should be allowed in designed U.S. wilderness areas. Currently, it is not allowed. As a mountain biker and public lands advocate, this debate tugs at my desire to mountain bike and desire to preserve a portion of our nation's natural wonders for future generations.

Living in Idaho, the wilderness designation isn't as restricting as it is in more populated areas such as San Diego County, California. In Idaho, we are blessed with a huge amount of non-wilderness public lands. We also have a huge amount of wilderness, too. If you are willing to do the work, you could ride a different trail/road every day for a month and never cross your own tire tracks. Lucky!

But should we allow mountain biking in our designated wilderness areas? Let discuss that issue.

What Does the Wilderness Act of 1964 State?

Reference: https://www.justice.gov/enrd/wilderness-act-1964

I believe it's important to look at the law before making any judgments. Many years ago, I believed we should allow mountain biking in wilderness areas. But I didn't do any research. And without doing the research on this issue, my opinion was just an uninformed emotional opinion.

Here is a snippet from the Wilderness Act:

"Section 2.(a) In order to assure that an increasing population, accompanied by expanding settlement and growing mechanization, does not occupy and modify all areas within the United States and its possessions, leaving no lands designated for preservation and protection in their natural condition, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the Congress to secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness."

It's Clear - The Law States No MTBing in Wilderness Areas

Snippet:

PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN USES(c) Except as specifically provided for in this Act, and subject to existing private rights, there shall be no commercial enterprise and no permanent road within any wilderness area designated by this Act and, except as necessary to meet minimum requirements for the administration of the area for the purpose of this Act (including measures required in emergencies involving the health and safety of persons within the area), there shall be no temporary road, no use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment or motorboats, no landing of aircraft, no other form of mechanical transport, and no structure or installation within any such area.

I'm going with the thought that "no other form of mechanical transport" written into the law means mountain biking is prohibited in designated wilderness areas. It cannot be much more clear, however, we should also realize mountain bikes didn't come on to the scene until the mid-late 1970s.

Standing on a wilderness boundary in Owyhee County, Idaho

Photo is Geotagged at 42.6583366, -115.6986999

Can a Designated Wilderness Areas be Modified?

Good question, huh?

It appears as if a wilderness area can be modified according to the Wilderness Act of 1964, as shown in the snippet below.

Proposed modification. (e) Any modification or adjustment of boundaries of any wilderness area shall be recommended by the appropriate Secretary [of the Interior] after public notice of such proposal and public hearing or hearings as provided in subsection (d) of this section. The proposed modification or adjustment shall then be recommended with map and description thereof to the President. The President shall advise the United States Senate and the House of Representatives of his recommendations with respect to such modification or adjustment and such recommendations shall become effective only in the same manner as provided for in subsections (b) and (c) of this section.

In my non-lawyer opinion, the modification of wilderness areas is necessarily a cumbersome procedure. It involves, at the minimum, the president, both chambers of the House and public hearings to modify a designated wilderness area. But it appears it can be done.

Understand, government writing and its lingo, including our laws, confuse the hell out of me. I have to read most government documents three or four times before I start to understand what they mean. And even when I do figure out what the government documents mean, determining the future implications is just as vexing to me. 

Do you agree that designed wilderness areas can be modified [made smaller], when reading the Wilderness Act of 1964?

Link to a Google Documents copy of the Wilderness Act of 1964:
 https://docs.google.com/document/d/16ENAzakpCXV03AOP1Jst5ORCfzoWzyKYF4EDGbKeB7Y/edit?usp=sharing

San Diego County Area Mountain Biking is Hemmed in by Wilderness

About 157,000 acres of wilderness

From 1974 through the early 80s I lived in San Diego County, California. I attend high school and college in the San Diego area and then I joined the U.S. Air Force and moved away. However, during the time I lived in California, I acquired a love of the San Diego County backcountry before any wilderness areas were established. Someday I will return to that area with plans to mountain bike and hike in the Boulevard, Jacumba and McCain Valley areas. 

The map above shows the wilderness areas that hem in the San Deigo mountain biking scene. 

Interactive Wilderness Map Link: https://umontana.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a415bca07f0a4bee9f0e894b0db5c3b6

About 276,000 acres of wilderness

In my local play area of southwestern Idaho, I have about 700,000 acres of public lands to roam, fish, hike and mountain bike on. The Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness are highlighted in green and encompass 276,000 acres that mountain biking is not allowed. But as I mentioned above, I also have a ton more opportunity to find suitable and legally rideable mountain biking terrain than my friends in San Diego County, California will ever have.

My Opinion - No Riding in Designated Wilderness Areas

In my opinion, backed up by what I believe is the spirit and intent of current law, we should not and cannot allow mountain biking in this nation's wilderness areas. But I sympathize with my mountain biking friends that live in the more populated portions of the U.S. like San Diego that are hemmed in by wilderness.

"We should not and cannot allow mountain biking in this nation's wilderness areas." ~ Tim Bondy on Jan. 14, 2019

The only solace I can find for those who have a need to ride is that they have the opportunity to get those designated wilderness areas modified and turn a portion of that land into something other than wilderness. It will take a lot of very frustrating work/time and you may not be able to chunk out a portion of the land for mountain biking but that is the way the system works.

What? That's not Fair? 

If wilderness is hemming you in and you believe I am wrong when I say mountain biking should never be allowed in designed wilderness areas then I say life isn't fair. But also realize, I live in a place where restaurants, shopping, and culture do not exist. I also live in a place were abundant and good paying jobs do not exist. I also have awesome mountain biking, fishing, and hiking opportunities.

I have traded one aspect of living for a different aspect of living. You may not be able to afford to move to southern Idaho and I certainly cannot afford to move to a place where there the weather allows me to comfortably ride 365 days a year. That's life, baby!

I will be glad to show you around my little area of Idaho for some uncrowded mountain biking. Contact me and I'll arrange some riding where you'll likely never see another biker on the trails.



Last updated on January 17, 2019

Thanks,

~ signed ~

Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist
.
I am a proud citizen journalist, aka "enemy of the American People!"

Spotlight - A Top 10 Favorite Movie

Originally posted on January 13, 2019

Spotlight: Spotlight is a movie I'd put in my "Top 10 List" of all-time best movies. It's not a subject nor a genre that I would normally place in a top 10 list. I'm an action-adventure movie type guy.

Why does this movie appeal to me?: I hate to say this, but the acting and character development was most excellent. The passion of the reporters (I'm a former newspaper reporter) in the movie was more than credible. As of the publish date of this post, I have watched this movie three times. During each viewing, I find more to like about the movie.

Synopsis: Spotlight is a 2015 biographical drama film directed by Tom McCarthy and written by McCarthy and Josh Singer. The film follows The Boston Globe's "Spotlight" team, the oldest continuously operating newspaper investigative journalist unit in the United States, and its investigation into cases of widespread and systemic child sex abuse in the Boston area by numerous Roman Catholic priests.

It is based on a series of stories by the "Spotlight" team that earned The Globe the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. The film features an ensemble cast starring Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, John Slattery, and Stanley Tucci, with Brian d'Arcy James, Liev Schreiber, and Billy Crudup in supporting roles.

Spotlight was shown in the Out of Competition section of the 72nd Venice International Film Festival. It was also shown at the Telluride Film Festival and the Special Presentations section of the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival.

The film was released on November 6, 2015, by Open Road Films and grossed $98 million worldwide. It won numerous guilds and critics' association awards and was named one of the finest films of 2015 by various publications. Spotlight won the Academy Award for Best Picture, along with Best Original Screenplay, from six total nominations. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotlight_(film)]


Last updated on January 13, 2019

Thanks,

~ signed ~


Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist
.
I am a proud citizen journalist, aka "enemy of the American People!"

Maps - Southeastern Idaho Mountain Ranges Maps

Originally posted on January 3, 2019

Writing about outdoor adventures in Idaho necessarily means knowing what roads and trails you are on and especially what mountain ranges you are roaming. The boundaries of mountain ranges in this part of the country are, in most cases, ill-defined and left up to the interpretation of the writer/outdoorsman.

That ill-defined fuzzy interpretation isn't good enough for this writer of outdoor blog posts. I intend to make my very own mountain range maps but until then, I will rely on the few "ranges" maps available on the internet.

Southeast Idaho Mountain Ranges 

923 px by 632 px

Reference: https://photos.app.goo.gl/hdVVpSivTbRfH9H37



Last updated on January 3, 2019

Thanks,

~ signed ~


Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist
.
I am a proud citizen journalist, aka "enemy of the American People!" 

About the New Header Image Created on Dec. 18, 2018

Originally posted on December 26, 2018

I changed the header image on my "Tim Bondy Writes" blog on December 18, 2018.

Date Taken: October 12, 2018
Location: About 4.5 miles south of Bennett Mountain South Peak in southwestern Idaho.
Geotagged: 43.1732101, -115.444519
Map Linked: https://goo.gl/maps/mKX42acJ52k
Link to Original Photo: https://photos.app.goo.gl/1xmzfxBDb63p89Zr6
Link to the story where the header image was taken: https://timbondy.blogspot.com/2018/12/trip-report-mountain-bike-ride-up.html

The Old Header Image

The previous header image originally uploaded in Dec. 2017

Freelance Writer and Social Media Manager for Hire

If you are looking for a professional to write articles, social media posts or create an inexpensive website for your business or company, please contact me.

Last updated on December 26, 2018

Thanks,

~ signed ~

Tim Bondy

Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

.

I am a proud citizen journalist, aka "enemy of the American People!" 

Photo: Mountain Biking the Boise National Forest on July 6, 2018

Originally posted on November 22, 2018

FSR #137

Peak 6644 near the headwaters of Williams Creek is displayed prominently in this panoramic photo from a July 6, 2018 mountain bike trip.

Geotagged at 43.478817, -115.4660034
Map Linked at https://goo.gl/maps/CEy8HCQMvGT2
Photograph Link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/FmirZiBADF45M1w78

Last updated on November 22, 2018

Thanks,

~ signed ~

Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

I am a proud citizen journalist, aka "enemy of the American People!"

Ride From Reservoir And Up Lester Creek

Originally Posted: June 8, 2018

This June 7, 2018, southwestern Idaho, USA, mountain bike ride started at the Evans Creek Campground and I turned around just short of my goal of the Lester Creek Road Summit. "Lester Creek Summit" is a name I appended to the location so locals and foreigners alike will not know where this place is located 💁

While not one of the most scenic rides I've completed, I did discover a new trail I can explore in the future and rode through a small portion lands of I'd never been before. And to me, #mtb, mountain biking is all about the scenery, exploring strange new lands and getting in shape. I stopped 7/10 of a mile (1,200 meters) from my goal because I was exhausted and starting to dehydrate. But 15 minutes of rest and water and I was good-to-go for the homeward leg ... which was mostly downhill 👍

FYI: This 22.2 mile (36 km) bike ride was done 100% on dirt roads or fire roads, depending on the vernacular you use.

Almost back to my truck but the water views stopped me. 

FSR 641 doesn't open until July 1, 2018

Decisions to make? I went left.

I rarely take off my helmet but the heat and exertion got to me at the turnaround point

This was my view from the turnaround point

The dirt road seems to go on and on and on!

Pre-ride shadow selfie 

Elmore County Outdoor Concierge Services

If you are looking for a place to ride, hike, rockhound or fish in southwestern Idaho, I will plan that trip for you.

Read more about this simple and easy service at https://timbondy.blogspot.com/p/elmore-county-outdoor-concierge-services.html

Last updated on June 8, 2018.

Thanks,

 ~ signed ~

Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

I am currently a proud citizen journalist, aka "enemy of the American People!"

Boise National Forest Peak 6355 - Failed Attempt

Originally Posted: June 4, 2018

A Little About A June 1, 2018, Hike In Southwestern Idaho, USA. 

I wanted to go for a mountain bike ride but the weather forecast was for gusty northwesterly winds and cool temperatures. That forecast led me to a hike that I will classify as a Favorite.

This 5.5-mile hike includes only 1.8 miles on an established trail. The rest of the hike is cross-country through a mixture of wide-open and/or bramble choked ridgeline. The bramble is just coming back after a 2013 wildfire that burned through the area.

As with most of my hikes in the past two years, the main draw is the scenic beauty and this adventure has an abundance of that. It's also close to home and if I wish, I can swim in the nearby lake or fish if the spirit moves me in those two directions.

There are two creek crossings on this hike.

View from the lower parts of the hike

Wildflowers were blooming mad.

Arrowroot Balsam

A lone "Indian Paintbrush?"

Unknown flower name 

Wildfire probably killed this tree.

That's a treetop that broke off ... a real deadfall

The scenery is why I hike

This was a strenuous day hike for me but there are many different options if you'd like to experience some adventure in southwestern Idaho.

Elmore County Outdoor Concierge Services

If you are looking for a place to ride, hike, rockhound or fish in southwestern Idaho, I will plan that trip for you. Read more about this simple and easy service at https://timbondy.blogspot.com/p/elmore-county-outdoor-concierge-services.html


Last updated on June 4, 2018.

Thanks,

~ signed ~


Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

I am currently a proud citizen journalist, aka "enemy of the American People!"

Mountain Bike Up A Danskin Peak ... Again?

Originally Posted: May 30, 2018

This is my insight about a mountain biking trip up a local peak plus a few photographs.

This ride is located in the Danskin Mountains of southern Idaho. The rough and tumble dirt track is mainly county-owned and it tracks through some private property (legal to transit through), plus some State of Idaho and National Forest Service lands.

Depending on your physical fitness level, this non-technical ride could be rated strenuous or just a "good work-out" type of ride. The views are typical Danskin Mountain views until you hit the five-mile mark and then the horizon opens up for spectacular views. It's the views that make this #mtb ride worth the sweat and toil.

"For what it's worth, this was my second attempt to ride the peak and my second failed try." 

The Photographs

Walking is part of this ride 

Photography of some of the scenery. The Praire, Idaho flats

The road gets steep and rutted

A grand panoramic 

A high mountain lake? 

The road seems to go on forever

The Giant Talon 2 and the author

Cool rock

A perspective.

Elmore County Outdoor Concierge Services

If you are looking for a place to ride, hike, rockhound or fish in southwestern Idaho, I will plan that trip for you. Read more about this simple and easy service at https://timbondy.blogspot.com/p/elmore-county-outdoor-concierge-services.html

Last updated on May 31, 2018.

Thanks,

~ signed ~


Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

I am currently a proud citizen journalist, aka "enemy of the American People!"

Scenes From Another Failed Attempt at Peak 5893 - Southern Idaho

Originally Posted: May 26, 2018

This is my brief insight and some photographs from a May 25, 2018 hike to a ridge above Anderson Ranch Reservoir in southern Idaho, USA. This was the 4th or 5th attempt trying to make it to Peak 5893 and I failed again.

The Insights

Type Hike: 95% cross-country on 100% public lands.

The Con: It was steep and I expected that, but it was a little too steep. The biggest problem with this route up the ridge and to the peak was the bramble/underbrush. The bramble is getting thick and will be near-impassable in a few mores years given a fire ran through the area in 2012 or 2013. The route down from the ridge was 'f-ing steep and dangerous in places.
The Pro: Scenic beauty, berry bushes that will be fruitful in June/July, solitude and the challenge.

Your Own Digital File Adventures: If you'd like to hike this southern Idaho route or are searching for an adventure, I will create a personalized plan for you. Click over to https://timbondy.blogspot.com/p/elmore-county-outdoor-concierge-services.html. The cost is only $35. 

The Scenery and Photography

The underbrush and bramble plus some dead fall to contend with.

Looking east down the lakefront

Arrowleaf Balsamroot

Splash of color on a hillside under a cirrostratus cloud deck.

Stark, yet beautiful views like this are why I hike

Panoramic of the scenery

Wildflowers to enjoy on the homeward leg of this day hike

A fire burned through this area in 2012 or 2013. The bramble and underbrush is coming back strong 

Not really private property and the sign poster probably knows it. Annoying!

https://timbondy.blogspot.com/p/elmore-county-outdoor-concierge-services.html

Last updated on May 26, 2018.


Thanks,

~ signed ~

Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

I am currently a proud citizen journalist, aka "enemy of the American People!"
.

A Bike Ride Above Camas Prairie - Southern Idaho

Originally posted: May 23, 2018

On May 19, 2018, I took a ride on my "Giant©, Talon 2" mountain bike, #mtb, on a National Forest Service Road above Camas Prairie. Here are some photographs from that trip.

Overlooking Camas Prairie - Soldier Mtns in the distance

"Spike strips in use?" That's a first for me.

Just a nice gradual climb ... followed by more climbs

Almost back to the trailhead - That's Bennett Mountain

This non-technical ride is just filled with scenery in all directions. While it is a dirt road in ranching country, the traffic is very light ... somewhere on the order of one pickup truck per hour. Almost all property bordering this ride is private so stay on the public access road and don't trespass.

This ride could be as short as you like or be extended to a 25 mile out-and-back-ride depending on your physical fitness and time challenges for that particular day.

On this trip, I saw numerous pronghorns, cranes, ducks and a few deer, as well as thousands of ground squirrels and many serious raptor-type birds.

If you would like to attempt some customized adventures in the Elmore County area, I can create a trip for you. Through the end of May 2018, the price is just $25 for the digital maps and files. For more information, click over to https://timbondy.blogspot.com/p/elmore-county-outdoor-concierge-services.html 

Last updated on May 23, 2018.


Thanks,


Tim Bondy
Freelance Writer & Citizen Journalist

I am currently a proud citizen journalist, aka "enemy of the American People!"
.