Forest Service trail easements

[Takeem406]

Doing some cyber scouting for boots on the ground next weekend.

I found a couple trails I want check out but they cross a mile of private ground. How does crossing a FS trail through private work?

Thanks

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[bowtech3dhunter]

You can't. If its private ground then its trespassing.

 

[Takeem406]

So it's a matter of obtaining permission? Kinda messed up you can't use a public trail lol.

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[Art Vandeley]

I know there is some trails in Montana that cross private land. The forest service has permission with the landowner to allow access. Might be the same type of deal.

 

[mtnrunner260]

This will depend on the individual situation. Some trails will allow access, likely stay on trail while on private. Others won't. You need to call the FS office that manages it. Have the location likely including section, range and township then be prepared to hold or wait for a call back. The front office staff seams to rarely know off the top of their heads.

 

[Jason Snyder]

You can't. If its private ground then its trespassing.

Not true in an absolute sense. There may be an easement across the private land. Call the local Ranger District and ask.

 

[BroodBuster]

If it has a parking lot, kiosk and a trail # it most assuredly has an easement. Stay on the trail, be nice to the bovine and keep the dog on the leash and you'll be fine.

If none of the above you'll need to call and ask. Or drive and ask.

But hey, that's what scouting is all about.

 

[bowtech3dhunter]

I would definitely ask, I know an example of what your talking about just outside of silverthorne and the game wardens and sheriffs wait at the trailhead where they can watch the property line across the canyon is and they watch to see who crosses and when you get back to your vehicle they give you a ticket.
The forest service may have an easement to cross private ground, but that's only in the event of accessing a wild fire. Other then that it's trespassing


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[Jason Snyder]

Actually no, sometimes the Forest Service has an easement for access and as long as you stay on the trail, you are fine. I could give you a number of examples of places where either temporary or permanent access easements are in place.

 

[tlowell02]

Not true in an absolute sense. There may be an easement across the private land. Call the local Ranger District and ask.

This. I've seen trails in Colorado where popular trails crossed a couple miles of private before entering wilderness area. Users could only travel on the trail, no camping, fishing, hunting, etc until reaching the boundary of the wilderness area.

 

[Randy Newberg]

I am a corporate officer of a ranch that sold two easements to the USFS for the handsome sum of $10. The easement allows for non-motorized public access, across the private property to adjacent Forest Service lands, so long as the users stay on the trail. These arrangements were quite common at one time; actually more common than many people might realize.

 

[Takeem406]

Perfect. Just looking at some trails along "The Front" that actually start on private land or start on public then cross the private. I found a way to access one trail via state if need be but I love groomed trails! Makes putting on the miles to get away from the crowd easier.

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[Jason Snyder]

Not many of the trails on the Front have easements across private.

 

[gelton]

I am a corporate officer of a ranch that sold two easements to the USFS for the handsome sum of $10. The easement allows for non-motorized public access, across the private property to adjacent Forest Service lands, so long as the users stay on the trail. These arrangements were quite common at one time; actually more common than many people might realize.

Thanks for the tip Randy. Nice to see you slinging knowledge on Rokslide. Enjoy your podcasts and you tube channel. You could take those clips regarding Stealing Your Public Lands and turn them into a full fledged documentary.

 

[jwatts]

We scouted a few spots in Montana earlier this month. Two of the places originated on private land, but ended up on USFS land. The trailheads were on private and set up just like any other major trailhead. There were signs explaining that you were on private land and to stay on the marked trail until you hit One more originated on USFS land, but crossed about 1/4 mile of a corner of private land. Same situation as the other 2, clearly marked trail and boundaries, explanation of how to handle it at the trailhead.