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Sno-Park Trail Etiquette
Washington Sno-Parks provide access to a variety of winter recreation activities, including snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sledding, skiing, skijoring and snow play.
Sno-Parks:
- Are distinct from state parks in that they crisscross state and federal lands and involve many land managers, state agencies, concessionaires and contractors.
- Sit in or near small communities where people live, work and run businesses. Please respect those neighborhoods.
- Permits pay for trail grooming, lot clearing and plowing, sanitation, education and enforcement.
- Offer motorized, non-motorized and animal-driven recreation opportunities. Please share the trails and be courteous. Practice stewardship and trail etiquette.
Skiers and snowmobilers typically stay on the trails that are groomed for their specific activity – except in the backcountry where trails are not groomed.
RIGHT OF WAY:
- Snowshoers — walk on the sides of the trail and stay off groomed ski tracks.
- Hikers and snowshoers – keep dogs on leash and off groomed ski tracks.
- Skate-skiers — keep off groomed ski tracks.
- Cross-country skiers – stay on groomed ski trails and slow down and announce your presence when coming up on snowshoers off trail. Leave dogs at home when not skijoring.
- Dogsled and skijoring teams— stay off groomed ski tracks.
- Skiers and snowshoers — yield to snowmobilers and dog teams.
- Snowmobilers — slow down when coming up on skiers, snowshoers and dog teams.
- Wheeled vehicles - are not permitted on any groomed trails. Anyone driving illegally on the groomed trails will be cited.
DOGS ON TRAILS
- Dogs, except those operating in a seeing-eye capacity, are prohibited at Hyak Sno-Park.
- Dog sledding and skijoring are allowed only on snowmobile trails and designated non-motorized trails.
- Dogs are not allowed on groomed ski tracks or on non-designated trails. Check in with local ranger districts to determine if dogs are allowed.
- Protect your pet. Keep dogs on leash and under physical control at all times.
- Pack out their waste.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Maximize your winter enjoyment by following this Winter Recreation code of conduct:
- Respect all public and private property and the rights of all winter recreationists to enjoy the beauty of Washington Sno-Parks.
- Park considerately without blocking vehicles or driveways or impeding access to trails. When parking behind a snowmobile trailer, please allow enough room for operators to maneuver.
- Keep to the right when meeting other recreationists and yield right of way to downhill traffic.
- Slow down and use caution when approaching or overtaking another user.
- Respect designated areas, trail-use signs and established ski tracks.
- When stopping, do not block the trail.
- Do not disturb wildlife and avoid areas posted for wildlife protection or feeding.
- Realize that your destination and travel speed are determined by your equipment, ability, terrain, weather and traffic on the trail.
- In case of an emergency, please offer assistance.
- Do not interfere with or harass others. People may judge all participants in your activity by your actions.
OTHER TIPS:
- Prepare for your outing by having proper clothing, emergency gear and safety equipment. Understand that poor weather can delay a search and rescue operation, resulting in fatalities.
- Ski in single file to the right of the trail.
- Sound a pleasant warning when passing a slower trail user.
- If you fall on the trail, fill any hole you created.
- Keep right when meeting other winter recreationists and yield right of way to downhill traffic.
- Do not park in residential areas or block driveways.