Trail Access for Physical Disability

Mike P · Post by **Mike P** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 11:50 am

The PC police may have arrived into the mountains. Does anyone know if this applies to trails on national forests and parks?

New trail rules allow expanded disabled access

simonov · Post by **simonov** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 12:10 pm

I believe it would take an Act of Congress to allow wheeled vehicles into Wilderness Areas like Cucamonga Wilderness, Sheep Mountain Wilderness and San Gorgonio Wilderness.

It would take an act of god to make, say, the Vivian Creek Trail accessible to wheeled vehicles.

simonov · Post by **simonov** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 12:12 pm

Still, how heartless do you have to be to oppose the construction of paved roads to the summits of all local mountains?

Who among us would deny Tiny Tim a Segway ride to the top of Mt Baldy?

Mike P · Post by **Mike P** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 12:33 pm

I am opposed to motorized vehicles on trails, HOWEVER, I was hoping I could ride a unicycle up Big Iron!

Mike P · Post by **Mike P** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 12:36 pm

simonov wrote: Who among us would deny Tiny Tim a Segway ride to the top of Mt Baldy?

Or Alan K on, what, his 61st summit?

Post by **Taco** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 2:09 pm

As long as this means I can ride a 2-stroke dirt bike to the top of Baldy while I'm completely engulfed in flames.

simonov · Post by **simonov** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 5:24 pm

It's good to see Eric Holder keeping busy while not prosecuting anyone on Wall Street.

Ze Hiker · Post by **Ze Hiker** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 5:29 pm

what a farking joke

atomicoyote · Post by **atomicoyote** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 5:34 pm

Typical for today's news reports, its somewhat vague as to where it applies, so you'd have to read the legal opinion to find out. I'd think its for local city/county park trails, not federal wilderness areas. It would be interesting to see how the USFS would handle access on the Ski Hut trail if they're forced to address the issue.

I like the reference to Huntington Beach - that's the asphalt multi-use trail running along the beach that gets incredibly crowded around the HB pier during the summer; it has speed limit and restricted to mid-day 'walking only' restrictions during the summer, and wheelchairs already use it. The radar gun reference is probably for bicycle riders - I can't see how a wheelchair could get going fast enough to get a speeding ticket!

hvydrt · Post by **hvydrt** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 7:40 pm

So how many switch backs would it take to reach Iron Mountain from Heaton flat using the ADA standards?

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 8:46 pm

Anti-tank weapons... they work on Segways don't they?

I don't see a problem.

HJ

PackerGreg · Post by **PackerGreg** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 9:03 pm

Didn't the inventor of the Segway die from driving one off a cliff?

PackerGreg · Post by **PackerGreg** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 9:18 pm

I feel sorry for the tens of thousands of people on disability because their backs ache from time to time. I mean, how are they supposed to access the forest to tend their medical marijuana crops with only rustic trails provided?

simonov · Post by **simonov** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 6:38 am

PackerGreg wrote: Didn't the inventor of the Segway die from driving one off a cliff?

Damn, Greg, that's a good point. We better make sure those paved Segway trails have stout guard rails as well.

Think of the children.

Elwood · Post by **Elwood** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 7:22 am

Why waste scarce USDA funding on cultivars that sustain a healthy Angeles? I can see it already, the San Dimas Experimental Marijuana Forest.

atomicoyote · Post by **atomicoyote** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 10:34 am

ADA ramps might not be feasible. Maybe this would work for the steeper sections?:

Post by **Taco** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 10:54 am

hvydrt wrote: So how many switch backs would it take to reach Iron Mountain from Heaton flat using the ADA standards?

Approximately 45,632 if my math serves me right.

Mike P · Post by **Mike P** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 11:04 pm

With a new ADA compliant trail, I'm planning to drive up to the top of Iron Mountain with this vehicle:

Anyone who wishes a ride can hop in the bed of the truck.

archosaur · Post by **archosaur** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:38 am

hvydrt wrote: So how many switch backs would it take to reach Iron Mountain from Heaton flat using the ADA standards?

Assuming Iron is 7200' feet of gain, at 1:12 with 5' landings, and assuming a switchback occurs at each 30' ramp segment (not really feasible, but what the hey), I calculated 2892 switchbacks with a total distance of 19.2 miles. Of course, that isn't factoring any of the downhill parts of the trail, which would also require ramps. My thinking there is that we could just extend our mega-ramp continuously up over any minor saddles and ignore the troublesome topography. Accessibility first!

Now of course the above ramp system would require continuous handrails. We could ditch the handrail requirement by going to a 1:20 slope, requiring a level area only every 400 feet. This much more comfortable ascent would get you to the top in only 27.6 theoretical miles

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 10:14 am

Then it's all settled!

HJ

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 10:20 am

Actually, though, I'm working on a little accessibility option of my own.

HJ

Post by **HikeUp** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 10:22 am

Why do architects get paid more than engineers? Because they can understand the ADA code.

AW~ · Post by **AW~** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 11:16 am

simonov wrote: Still, how heartless do you have to be to oppose the construction of paved roads to the summits of all local mountains?

Who among us would deny Tiny Tim a Segway ride to the top of Mt Baldy?

The more I read about it, the more the effect seems to be exagerrated.
One it only refers to state&local. #2 it says that wheelchairs, including power-driven wheelchairs are allowed on trails....and they clarified it to say no Segways,etc. It doesnt say they have to change the trail to provide access...it just says if ya see a wheelchair(power-driven or otherwise) being pushed up to Baldy, dont bother em....its legal and has been legal...at least how I read it.

http://www.americantrails.org/resources ... index.html

Ze Hiker · Post by **Ze Hiker** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 12:09 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GWZp1U2iS4

Post by **Taco** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 1:51 pm

Zé wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GWZp1U2iS4

Hoveround > Rascal

norma r · Post by **norma r** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 2:19 pm

Taco wrote: As long as this means I can ride a 2-stroke dirt bike to the top of Baldy while I'm completely engulfed in flames.

sometimes i wish this board had a LIKE button as Facebook does! you guys always keep me entertained!

the obvious, what happens when the vehicle breaks down or the battery dies on a vehicle in the backcountry came to mind for me. not the funny stuff like what you came up with. but the Hoveround commercial made me remember the time my dear old dad who used one was coming back to his condo after an afternoon at the pool, while turning a corner in the building hallway he didn't release the forward motion and his 3-wheel cart rode up the wall till it fell backward over him. he was a little bruised and battered but it didn't stop us from calling him Evel Knievel after that!

one of my favorite [un]disabled stories was told by the late Mike Patterson who owned the American Hotel in Cerro Gordo (and effectively owned the town since he was the only resident.) he said one day he saw something come up from the east and it turns out it was a guy in a wheelchair with the help of his buddy who had wheeled up from Saline Valley in Death Valley onto the Inyo Mountains where Cerro Gordo is located and down to the Owens Valley. he said this same guy has summited White Mountain (elev 14,252 ft) he didn't need no stinkin' motorization!

haha, just saw your post Taco. my dad had a Rascal!

Post by **Taco** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 2:35 pm

HAHAHAH Evel Knievel! That's f'ed up!

I love it.

PackerGreg · Post by **PackerGreg** » Sun Feb 27, 2011 7:31 pm

The final solution: no more mountains! (could assuage those worries of a rising shoreline as well)...