Sapphire wilderness study area

[Diewithyourbootson]

I was recently on a trailhead and trail in the sapphire wilderness study area, there were a lot of 4 wheelers in the area and at trailhead. What surprised me was the tracks on the trail, is it ok for atvs since this is a study area? I wasn't happy to see this but wasn't real sure if the area was treated like other wilderness.

 

[noisy]

If they were in the actual study area, they were riding illegally. There's a lot of frustration over the WSA's and politicians' inaction on either making them wilderness or releasing them from the designation. Some folks probably feel that they are practicing civil disobedience by ignoring the non-motorized designation.

Forest Service Issues Off-Road Prohibitions in Wilderness Study Areas Order

www.montanaoutdoor.com

 

[Beignet]

Call it in to whichever National Forest district office that manages where you saw them. Good for them to have a data point if it’s an ongoing problem that they might have the resources to address someday.

 

[Diewithyourbootson]

I figured it was probably illegal, I plan on making a call tomorrow. Thank you for replies.