Del Albright has started a volunteer trail patrol on the Rubicon. Right now it's informal and volunteer initiated, but soon we may have vests, note pads, ID, and even a radio that will hit the repeater for the Sheriff or the USFS law enforcement. Your ideas would be appreciated. Either way we go at it, we must curtail the misbehaving that gives our sport a bad image. I'm even thinking that posting the offenders to a world wide web site would be one way to shed some light on their behavior. Join us at the Pirates of the Rubicon BBS to kick this around.

Here's what Del Albright say's to do if you observe trail abuse or law breaking going on:

Rubicon Trail Volunteer Patrol STARTS NOW! Report violators / nimcompoops to the USFS Law Enforcement Officers or to the County Sheriff. If you prefer to take a different route, report them to ME (Del Albright)-- Trail Boss, Friends of the Rubicon, and I will pursue follow up with the appropriate law enforcement channels. One such case has already been successful. FOTR tracked down the violator and I pursued the follow up with law agencies involved. It can work! I need YOU to be able to identify the driver if at all possible. YOU need to ask him / her to quit what they're doing (nicely if you feel comfortable doing it). But BE A WITNESS. Get their plate, vehicle ID as best you can. Keep a note on the description of where, what, etc. And other witnesses if you can. A digi or regular picture would help me a lot. If you took this same info to the USFS law enforcement folks or the county Sheriff, that'd be GREAT. But if nothing else, send it to me via email and I will stay on top of it and try to get corrective action. AND we'll publish the event and who was out there trying to get our trail closed by being stupid and not listening.

So what we're doing includes: OBSERVE, EDUCATE, INFORM AND REPORT.

1. Observe - fully assess the situation. Figure out what laws or ethical behaviors are being violated and how it impacts the future of our trail.

2. Ask them to stop and explain why -- educate them as best you can without getting confrontational. Carry some Tread Lightly! brochures and hand them out. DO NOT get into a mix-it-up. Back off and just get the facts if the folks you are dealing with are fully felony stupid and might get physical.

3. Identify the event and driver/rig -- try to see the and remember the driver's face. You may have to be able to literally pick out the driver from a line up type siutation. So remember what he/she looks like. Take pictures that include the driver, the rig, the activity and the license plate. Get a witness who can corroborate your report.

4. Report it! -- to the County Sheriff, the USFS Law Enforcement Officer or District Ranger, to the County DA or to me via email or mail. Be willing to stand up and be a witness.

For now, EVERYONE who cares is a Rubicon Patrol Volunteer. Later, I hope to get us some training and ID badges, etc. We're just going to do it. I will blast the names and photos (if you get one) of really bad violators ALL OVER THE INTERNET, as well as to law enforcement authorities. I will pursue it until motorized outlaws get the message that they're ruining it for all of us (and perhaps be responsible for closing our trail). Be sure to read my article on Motorized Outlaws. And also visit the Pirates of the Rubicon Bulletin Board for a place to chat about ideas for curbing motorized outlaws and improving our image. http://www.pirate4x4.com