Friends of Pathways joins statement supporting mountain biking in Palisades Wilderness Study Area

Advocates for Multi-Use of Public Lands (AMPL), Mountain Bike the Tetons, Teton Freedom Riders and Friends of Pathways have issued the following joint statement regarding litigation filed in federal court by Mountain Pursuit:

 “Our organizations support the historic and continued use of mountain biking in the Palisades Wilderness Study Area (WSA) and believe that the lawsuit filed by Mountain Pursuit against the Bridger Teton National Forest (BTNF) and Caribou-Targhee National Forest (CTNF) is deeply misguided. Mountain biking is a well-documented, historical, conforming use that has been occurring in the Palisades Wilderness Study Area prior to the signing of the 1984 Wyoming Wilderness Act. World-class trails such as Black Canyon, Mail Cabin, Mikesell and the popular downhill trail Lithium serve our community and visitors from all around.  

 We believe the removal of mountain biking from trails with historic use within the Palisades Wilderness Study Area would negatively impact the community and unnecessarily exclude public lands access to a significant user group. Conservation and recreation should not be mutually exclusive in the PWSA. Mountain biking, along with hiking and horseback riding can be pursued in a manner that protects natural and wildlife resources and allows for access and healthy recreation on these public lands.

 Our organizations support the overall positive benefits that mountain biking provides to the community and oppose Mountain Pursuit’s desire for the wholesale removal of mountain biking in the Palisades Wilderness Study Area. The BTNF is scheduled to begin its Forest Plan Revision process in 2021, at which time everyone will be welcome to make public comment about what they believe the future management of the Palisades and Shoal Creek WSAs should be. We believe, at this time, the upcoming Forest Planning process and the subsequent Travel Management Planning process are the most appropriate ways for dealing with the future management of our treasured public lands.”