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Are bikes coming to Isle Royale?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2017 7:51 am
by Tom
Congress is considering a change to the Wilderness Act:
http://www.twincities.com/2017/12/05/co ... ess-areas/

It would appear the Park Superintendent/NPS could still forbid them, which is still what they do in the 'non-wilderness' areas as well (Rock Harbor, etc) with exception of Rollerblades and maybe children's bikes at Mott, if I call correctly.

Interesting the proposed wording doesn't include allowing wheeled portage devices, which I could see as being one thing the NPS might consider if the law was changed to permit them.

Re: Are bikes coming to Isle Royale?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2017 10:40 am
by Midwest Ed
Interesting at the least. The motives of the bill's supporters are unclear although I've long wondered why the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) has not been used more for such access. Here is the official government page for the bill, where it's progress can be tracked.

I think a portage dolly would easily pass muster.

Without getting too political, I don't give this action any chance of passage nowadays. Almost nothing gets through today's Senate.

Re: Are bikes coming to Isle Royale?

Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2017 4:23 pm
by johnhens
I would be ok with portage devices.

Re: Are bikes coming to Isle Royale?

Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2017 12:06 am
by Base654
Although I have carried my kayak on the worst of the portages, I would still prefer to not have any wheeled devices on portages. Not for the sake of "no wheels anywhere, ever", but a wheeled device on a soft trail makes a channel that the water flows down which can progress to a severe erosion. Do we have any specialists with more than a layperson prospective reading?