Conflict on the trails

Spion Kop in Lake Country is undeveloped Crown land that features a network of heavily used walking trails.

The hiking trails were established and marked by a volunteer organization, and formal maps are provided at trail junctions, trail heads, the district office and online. 

Around 8:30 or 9 a.m. on June 23, I was walking with my dog on the east side of the Raptor trail toward the parking lot on Old Mission Road.

There is a sign posted at the trail head requesting users of motorized vehicles, like quads and dirt bikes, stay off the signed walking trails (there are other trails available to them).

The section of the Raptor trail approaching the parking lot is narrow, “single file” walking, bordered by dense, shrubby vegetation and fallen logs. My dog was walking close behind me. Suddenly, a dirt bike appeared around a bend in the trail ahead, not going fast but not making any effort to stop or further slow down either to give me a chance to safely get off the trail.

I considered – briefly – standing my ground, but am not about to play chicken with a machine. Concerned for the safety of my dog, I ended up pushing her against a log and squeezing myself in front of her out of the way of the bike. Had she spooked at the noise or even just nosed around me to get a look at what was coming, she would have been run over. 

The encounter has left me unsettled and angry. I use these trails frequently and have met up with lots of people who were respectful of other trail users and their surroundings. I don’t like the destruction dirt bikes inflict on the trails and the environment. However, I accept that people enjoy riding them and there are trails available to these users on the west side of the highway that are not marked as dedicated hiking trails.

Riding on a hiking trail is disrespectful and potentially dangerous. It puts me and my companion at risk and destroys my opportunity to enjoy one of the few remaining natural and open areas in Lake Country. 

Trails around Spion Kop have traditionally been used for a variety of recreational activities, including dirt biking.

Development in the Lakes subdivision is putting increased user pressure on the area. If even a few users are oblivious to the needs and rights of others, or worse, feel entitled to do whatever suits them as long as they can get away with it, the trails will eventually be eroded and destroyed; or because of increasing conflict use of the now open space will become heavily regulated.

Both prospects are pretty sad.

Brigitte Wagner, Lake Country