Open Gates

Thanks to all those who participated in this week's poll: When walking through an open gate on a trail you should:?

1. Close and lock the gate behind you.
2. Leave the gate as you found it.
3. Prop the gate open so it cannot be closed accidentally.
4. Leave a note at the gate that states when you entered the property and when you will be leaving.

The correct answer is: Leave the gates as you found it. This issue really falls under the principle "Be Considerate of Other Visitors". It's about respecting the land owner (if it's private or easement land) or complying with land manager practices on public lands. Generally speaking, gates are in place to manage either access, livestock, wildlife or all of the above. Should you come across an open gate where there is signage clearly indicating the gate should be closed, it's likely best to close the gate. However, leaving gates as you find them is usually the best practice.

Yield to others. The little things are often the most important. Simple courtesies such as offering a friendly greeting on the trail, wearing earth-toned clothing to blend in with the scenery, stepping aside to let someone pass, waiting patiently for a turn, or preserving the quiet, all make a difference. Show your respect to native peoples whose communities and seasonal camps support a subsistence lifestyle in a wildland setting. Be friendly, unobtrusive and self-sufficient. Take note of tribal land boundaries, ask permission to cross private lands, and obey special laws and restrictions. Uphold voluntary closures of public lands for Native American religious ceremonies. Likewise, don’t disturb the livestock or equipment of ranchers, anglers, loggers, trappers, miners and others who derive their income from the permitted use of public lands. Leave gates open or shut, as you find them.