Out here in WV we have all these random dirt roads that seemingly go off up mountains into the middle of nowhere. Google shows nothing in particular on these roads aside from the rare radio tower or odd looking structure that I assume to be some kind of utility/scientific thing.
Are these all hunting roads? If there's no signage, can I go exploring without worrying about getting in trouble? There's miles and miles of these roads within minutes from me that I'd love to just putter around on and see what I can see but I'm just nervous about ending up somewhere I'm not supposed to be.
In WA these type of roads are usually fire or utility roads. They are often maintained by the Forest Service. What does that mean? As a US citizen, those are your roads. Responsibly use them however you see fit. Go explore!
+1 on WA fire roads. I remember cruising up those and camping out just for shiggles ... definitely tore up a couple cages on the descents
hey man just don't get lost. :icon_mrgreen:
There are many of those in WA that end in a serious gate, or start with one that gets locked behind you while you are out exploring. More of a problem with a car though.
Quote from: Badot on April 11, 2013, 07:24:34 PM
Out here in WV we have all these random dirt roads that seemingly go off up mountains into the middle of nowhere. Google shows nothing in particular on these roads aside from the rare radio tower or odd looking structure that I assume to be some kind of utility/scientific thing.
Are these all hunting roads? If there's no signage, can I go exploring without worrying about getting in trouble? There's miles and miles of these roads within minutes from me that I'd love to just putter around on and see what I can see but I'm just nervous about ending up somewhere I'm not supposed to be.
"not really sure how I got to this road, but I found this gate at the end, officer."
take back you public roads.
Quote from: BrianRC on April 11, 2013, 11:38:04 PM
There are many of those in WA that end in a serious gate, or start with one that gets locked behind you while you are out exploring. More of a problem with a car though.
That's why motorcycles are awesome. You can explore roads that people assume you can't get to. sometime you have to drag your bike under the gate, other times you can just go around or blast up the hill and go around. I have even camped on these roads just past the gate. Nobody will ever bother you. It can get a little scary when you run into other squatters.
There are literally thousands of miles of logging/fire roads in Washington State :thumb:
Have you seen my 2013 WR250R?
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/wr01.jpg)
Well, I went out riding today. Did a total of 160-ish miles and had a heck of a lot of fun. Most of it was on asphalt though. I ran across one of those gates to a dirt road, only this one had a sign up for a coal mining company with an address... so I assumed that wouldn't be a fire road. Hopefully not all the other are like that too.
On the other hand, near that closed gate, I found a public shooting range. It's only a little over a mile from me, maybe 2 if you count the distance between the entry and the actual range. I definitely need to pick up a little .22 pistol once I move out of the dorms and into the apartment in a month.
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa459/Dydler/20130412_192404_zps6669e5e1.jpg)
(http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa459/Dydler/20130412_192428_zpsfb21e407.jpg)
.... so long as you dont see this guy!! (http://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload/photo/d98/80d/d9880d95-6a25-48c2-b99b-0d2e0ce3d354)
.. you should be good to go!! ..
would think 'mostly' any lawman would initially just tell you to leave ... if 'you got lost?' ...
... so do what i used to when exploring a bush area... pre-plan a little and know some legit landmarks in the area ... 'sorry officer i was supposed to be riding from X to Y , but its supposed to be a short trip!..... how far am i from that?.... awwwwww man!! , now i feel like a fool!!'
... benefit of the doubt?
;)