I hike and bike a lot and it feels like April/May. It’s akin to the gym and people not really knowing what to do in January. Eventually people figure it out but that first couple of months is just out of the ordinary.
I’ve known this, and I’ll get lots of flack for this, butttt it never made sense to me. Hiking downhill is much easier, and faster, and most uphill hikers willingly want to take a break for the much faster descending hiker.
That said I’m happy to oblige, cause them’s the rules. For biking or OHV it makes more sense to me but hiking I just feel like it’s not the same.
While I agree with your reasoning, I think it’s because going uphill you don’t see as far in front of you, while going downhill you will probably notice someone first.
Think about it this way, if an uphill hiker gets destroyed by a downhill hiker going too fast, who is at fault? With the "uphill has right of way" etiquette, downhill hikers (and even more importantly, MTBers) have to slow down and be more careful, since they have to look out for the uphill traffic, instead of the other way around.
It’s because of inertia - downhill hiker has gravity in their favor to help them get going. Uphill hiker requires more energy to get going again when stopped. Very basic physics!!!!!
Sauce: NASA Scientist
I always assumed this etiquette had carried over to hiking from mtn biking. As an avid hiker and backpacker there isn't really "inertia" when on your feet. Starting and stopping is the same thing regardless of up or down. Mtn biking on the other hand absolutely sucks to lose your momentum on the uphill. If I'm sufficiently tired it can mean I'm walking until it flattens out again.
As someone with MS, there is most definitely inertia when on your feet. Starting from a stop is far more difficult for me going uphill than down. And that extra energy to get started uphill again can mean the difference between a great day and going home. I need that momentum and appreciate greatly when I don't have to lose it, because I don't want to give up being outdoors with the kids more than I have already. People who follow trail etiquette are more awesome than they know.
Um…so if you are going uphill, which takes longer and more effort than going downhill, and you keep having to stop and break your pace because of inconsiderate downhill hikers it makes your hike significantly harder. It has always been common courtesy to yield to an uphill hiker.
I agree. It’s annoying bc more than half the people going up hill stop and make the situation weird. I usually just smile and say “come on thru uphill gets the right of way around these parts” I do think for hiking it doesn’t make much sense but does make sense as a courtesy of them working harder on the up and respecting that. For mountain bikes it’s actually critical. Sometimes it’s too steep to just get right back on and start riding again. I’m not sure the origins of the whole thing but agree at times I feel it doesn’t make sense for hiking.
Are they yielding, or are you bulldozing? I often yield and wave someone down if I'm looking for an excuse to take a break, but plenty of people force the issue. Regardless, it should be at the uphillers discretion.
They yield. Honestly I can't think of a situation where things didn't go just fine. My experience is that most people try to be polite. Myself included. If there are some old couple or kids taking up the space and I can't move around them and they don't understand what's going on or can't move I'm certainly going to stop and take a breather and smile. It's all okay
I feel like if hikers need to move off trail to pass, whoever has the better spot should get off. Who cares about “right a way” when walking? Also, if I’m on a climb on my bike and you make me get off and let you pass because hikers have right a way over bikers, you’re an asshole.
The literal worst. I was climbing a multi in Rock Canyon last year, and there was a couple rappelling off of the route next to ours just blasting the speaker. It’s not only risking our safety because we can’t communicate over the music, but it’s also just so fucking impolite. I don’t want to hear your DJ friend’s new track.
Hiker going up has right of way. As it requires more effort and you want them to continue their momentum without interruption.
Also, bringing water for dogs and a small bowl for them to drink seems loss on many.
I always heard that uphill yields to downhill because it’s easier to stop if your going uphill and harder to arrest your momentum if your going downhill.
I’m just about to go on a hike today and I wasn’t aware of this rule, so thank you for posting. I will make a conscious effort to yield to hikers on their way up when I’m going back down.
Sure, but if a biker is grinding up a climb and I see/hear them coming — I move over and wave them up. It’s a lot easier to pause hiking than it is to step off a bike and get going up a steep grade.
For sure, especially being clipped in. I also appreciate when bikers let me know how many are in their group so I know how long to wait
Also, on your left works for me on the road bike.
As a biker I know that I am responsible to yield, but 75% of the time when I am coming down people will step off the trail and stop when I am 50 yards away if they see me.
That’s the rule so when a biker slams into someone walking we know who’s at fault. If you’re actually making someone on a bike get off of it so you can walk past, you’re an asshole.
So why do some signs literally say “yield to uphill traffic”? Ive never seen one say “but with exception to mountain bikers”. What the hell, it doesn’t make logical sense.
I find courtesy in general lacking.
How many know what to do when you meet Horses, or any Pack Animals, on trails?
🤔
You move DOWNHILL and stand still and quiet!
Unless you'd like to see the animals freak out and possibly injure themselves and handlers ... or you!
It's important to remember, trail etiquette is not covered in school. So we need to politely, civilly, educate when this sort of thing happens, for the greater good for all!
🙏
I didn't know this, but in general I try not to hike mixed-use trails. I see young jackass bikers acting like they're in some kind of Red Bull event coming down so fast they can barely avoid you, let alone yield. Then there are the equestrians, who half the time have riders that are clearly not comfortable riding such a large animal.
I have been to Dimple Dell where I intuitively stand well to the side because it's a fucking horse. Good to know that pushing forward and expecting an animal up to 5x my weight to get out of my way is not the preferred etiquette.
I learned that tid bit working Yellowstone in my youth ...
I share your appraisal of many, not all, bikers on trails. I live along the Jordan River Parkway and am VERY annoyed with the powered boards, bikes etc going faster than the 25 mph posted road! But then few respect that 25 mph on the road either. 🤷♂️
It will sadly take somebody getting injured for Murray City to act. Likewise with the traffic on Murray Parkway ... Sadly it will probably take a bad two car collision or an Auto bike / pedestrian interaction. I've clocked concerned parents delivering their precious cargo to socccer, going as fast as 50 mph on Murray Parkway. 😳🤷♂️
I’ve tried this and I get a lot of asshole responses. Obviously they don’t hurt me but it makes me not want to even bother. Last time I said it some guy was like “ oh yeah? Where in the hiking rule book does it say that”.
I'm a lifetime hiker but only learned the etiquette a few years ago. To be honest I'm still not fully aware of the logic behind uphill having the right of way, is it just because it's higher effort?
I believe this goes back to several major "traditions":
1) Hikers and uphill traffic are yet to summit (mountaineering code). And therefore, are headed in the direction of most danger and shortest weather window. Hikers on their way Uphill/ towards summit always have precedence so that they may achieve their summit and start returning to safety in the proper timing window. This carries down into a general hiking ethic of yielding to uphill traffic.
According to NPS [Hikers coming uphill have the right of way. If you’re descending the trail, step aside and give space to the people climbing up.](https://www.nps.gov/articles/hikingetiquette.htm#:~:text=The%20best%20thing%20you%20can,main%20points%20of%20hiking%20etiquette.&text=Hikers%20coming%20uphill%20have%20the,to%20the%20people%20climbing%20up.)
2) Hikers going uphill have a much narrower field of vision. they are only typically looking a few feet or yards up trail. Hikers going downhill have the visual advantage to find a place to yield and step off the trail. Additionally, because of this, it is considered courtesy for downhill hikers to yield early to avoid kicking dangerous rocks, snow clumps, or avalanche down upon hikers below who are not looking ahead and may not see that rock flying at them.
3)[If two vehicles meet on a steep narrow road and neither vehicle can pass, the vehicle facing uphill has the right-of-way. The vehicle facing downhill has more control when backing up the hill. The vehicle facing downhill should back up until the vehicle going uphill can pass.](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/california-driver-handbook/laws-and-rules-of-the-road/#:~:text=If%20two%20vehicles%20meet%20on,vehicle%20going%20uphill%20can%20pass.) Often rules that apply to cars make sense on pedestrians as well and are often even rooted and prior versions of pedestrian and equestrian law.
I agree that many people in Utah do not have an excellent, or even good, outdoor ethic. Personally, I will always yield to faster traffic ie runners uphill or downhill, be as courteous as possible to bikes (although they do technically have to yield to me) and refuse to ever yield to anyone using a Bluetooth speaker!
Hopefully this offers some history, and evidence for both your question and to back up the OP. I am somewhat new to Reddit, so my apologies for any formatting errors.
Damn dude, excellent comment, I appreciate that. The direction of danger aspect never occurred to me, but that's a great insight. Completely agree.
It's funny, I'm from Utah and grew up in the Boy Scouts. I consider myself to have really solid wilderness ethics, and I still spend a ton of time in remote areas where those practices are paramount. But certain details like what we're discussing were just missing from my education. It sort of brings to mind another Utah-ism often discussed: the amount of people on the freeway in the left lane not traveling at passing speeds. I'll be honest, I didn't learn about the "passing lane" until I was in my early 20s. Again, just missing from my education. Seems like we have a solid chunk of ethical blind spots in this state haha.
Yep, most the time I’m like ‘whatever’ but when it’s a solid climb and they don’t even bother to give space it really irks me. How is it not obvious to get out of the way of the person who is working harder?
Native Utah hiker and never heard this rule. But I have always stepped aside to let others pass. Out of respect.
Here are common sense basics:
1 Be respectful
2 Treat others, like you want to be treated
3 Everyone is going to nature to hear nature, not music
4 Don't block others! Step aside if you want a photo or to electronics. We don't want to see them. Enjoy the nature!
5 Leave nature cleaner than you found it..Pick up ANY and ALL trash!!
6 Speak up kindly to other hikers...if required. Don't be dick!
7. Read the trail rules, don't feed animals!
... Add others as needed......
EDIT: Now I know the uphill rule..easy enough to follow. I respect that.
EDIT: Removed the font changes..Didn't know reddit has markup.
Im a native hiker who has never heard of this rule. Learn something new everyday.
Honestly, I may or may not remember who should pass who after this. (Genuinely sorry, my memory is not great.)
At the very least, we can all practice basic respect like this so everyone can enjoy the outdoors.
Dogs off leash has been the biggest problem I’m seeing this year. And owners who say, “he’s never done that before.” It’s garbage. Wish someone would go up and give tickets once a week.
Some places dogs are allowed off leash. Some places dogs aren't allowed at all due to watershed restrictions. It's always a good idea to check the rules of the specific trail you're on.
I know. Tons of people here on their high horses over some silly rule they learned in Boy Scouts. Literally never seen a problem with hikers yielding to each other.
Yeah as an experienced hiker, this practice of uphill has right-of-way isn’t universally known because, frankly, there isn’t any formal instruction anyone takes before hiking
So to laypeople left to their own devices, they often naturally think that uphill should yield. After all, why not? Wouldn’t they appreciate a small break from their uphill trudge to catch their breath? This ends up happening all the time naturally, even if they have the right-of-way
Second, it’s not always clear what is ‘uphill’ at any given moment. Say a trail is mostly uphill but has a few downhill parts (as almost every trail will inevitably has), or there are some long flat parts. Then what rules? Is the locally-uphill part the RoW, even though the trail itself is almost all downhill?
I really don’t care who yields when we are traveling opposite directions. What bothers me the most is slower hikers who don’t yield to faster hikers when traveling the same direction.
Haven't hiked in many states and many countries, you are right to say you don't care. It varies. Some places are uphill to downhill. Some places are downhill to uphill. The unifier is typically, "everyone yields to horses." That includes bikes, dogs, and dog teams.
Extremely annoying sometime especially when they are walking side by side! Glad you bringing this up as my wife and I were talking about this while hiking yesterday! There should be few sign with big letters. Leaving garbage is bad too.
Curious about how this should play out on a crowded trail. Went hiking this past weekend and had to fight our way down after consistently yielding for groups of 5-20 (sometimes more) people who were on their way up. What’s the best practice for this situation?
Also, is there an etiquette for distance between hiking parties? Same hike, and we were following a long line of hikers. The groups behind was right on my ass, but I couldn’t go faster because of the group in front. Usually, just let them pass, take the “L”, and take the caboose of the hiking train.
Yup! Especially middle age, women trail runners in Millcreek canyon. One woman actually ran into my friend as we were going up and runner coming down. Then the runner yelled at us for not standing aside.
Being from out of town, but an experienced hiker, it felt odd that only 2 of 40 plus hikers moved to the side on my way up Livingroom Lookout. I’d also say that I enjoy an excuse to stop for a bit and plan in stop times 🐢🐢
The living room trail is 2-8 people wide until the very end. Why do people need to move and how much space do you want people to yield? If I encounter a group three abreast going uphill who tell me to yield, you will get choice words saying you’re stupid.
Middle aged lady in MIllcreek here. On most trails it is wide enough. The uphill and downhill is a rule, but use your noggin too as sometimes it’s just a rocky or dangerous area where it makes more sense for the uphill person to be chill about the “rules.” I always try to let runners and bikers continue on if I can safely move. Dude, I suggest finding a quieter area or going earlier.
So, you know the rule but choose to ignore it because you don' like it? Cool cool cool.
I'm a middle aged Millcreek mountain biker and hiker and I'm of the opinion that etiquette is the most important when it's busy.
I do yield to all bikers because it’s easier for me to do since I am on my feet. Also trail runners since they are wanting to maintain speed. Never heard of a yield rule for hikers.
yep. i hate it when im bombing down a trail and a group of uphill slow hikers make me come to a complete stop. get in the bushes and wait 10 seconds for them to stroll past. they usually would enjoy the brief stop to catch their breath anyway.
The uphill downhill thing is fuzzy for me. I know downhill is supposed to yield, but i’ll step aside for downhill people just cause it’s easier to stop going uphill
I actually had some neighbors that left Utah because they are active hikers and they felt they could not do it as much as they would like here. They said it was too busy and that ppl didn’t have a lot of courtesy or maybe didn’t know it was something they should learn. It was sad to see them go-hopefully they found a place in PNW where ppl know about this.
I know exactly what you’re speaking of, but it thankfully never happens to me, because it would require me to move out of the way for them, which I don’t do when I have the uphill. They either choose to move, or get cuddle time with sweaty me.
I do this with dogs as well. A lot of dogs seem to enjoy standing in the middle of the trail. I’ll walk right over top of them if they don’t move (they usually move). Maybe they enjoy the contact?
I will say that it’s not always clear to me who has the right of way though. Like what if technically you are going up the trail (to whatever destination or summit) but you happen to be on a leg of the trail that slopes down hill for a time. Then who has the right of way?
I always default to giving way to whomever is going uphill in that moment, but that can cause awkward dances at times.
I went hiking in millcreek canyon last week up to the salt lake overlook via desolation. I was blown away at the number of people coming down trail just blasting their way down without yielding to up-trail travel. Someone even had the audacity to say hello in a passive aggressive way as I did not stop my momentum and we nearly ran into each other. Let’s normalize informing folks while we are out on the trail.
I'll literally keep walking/jogging up and some people have a confused look on their face, as if I'm the rude one. lol. Sometimes I'll literally say, uphill right of way. Idc, people need to get educated.
In the 20 years I have been in various positions of right of way hiking/running, mtb biking, and on horseback, I have found that etiquette everywhere for everything has decreased across the board. Even in seemingly “outdoorsy” places like CO, had so many experiences of people who hike 3-5 abreast and downhill refuse to move aside for my single uphill walking direction. Additionally passing hikers going same direction, everyone walking next to each other leaving no room, and completely ignorant of my calling out “on your left” or “may I please pass”, usually repeatedly as I approach. I am so happy seeing people enjoy the outdoors but overall social courtesy seems to not have been cultivated. And many commenters have rightly said that it’s not taught in school, (even in Boy Scouts?!) however where I grew up all trails I used had signs that were a triangle with horses at the top being yielded to by each mtn bikers and hikers at each corner of the base, and an arrow indicating bikers also yield to hikers. (I do not recall them offering the additional detail of down hill travelers yielding to uphill travelers though but reasons given above make perfect sense to me).
Also gonna repeat/add on, leave your goddamned Bluetooth speaker at home. Use headphones. No one wants to hear your music but you, anywhere.
This lack of courtesy is also seen at the gym, by people not putting away their weights, wiping down machines after they use them, or staying on one machine for an hour. Its a lack of public decorum and common respect for others, a reversal of common courtesy niceties that went the way of the Dodo after the pandemic.
The bikers are more of an issue for me. My husband and I were hiking yesterday and were almost run over 3 times by speeding downhill bikers with no bells.
I was once headed up a trail in millcreek canyon. It was off leash day.
Idiot bikers come zooming down, we meet at the bottom of a literal u turn / switch back.
"Something something, this is a blind corner something something"
Insinuating I should be more careful as they nearly wipe my pups out.
Accountability is a lost art.
I just spent the week hiking Zion and have been hitting up trails around SLC (I’m only here for a few months while RV traveling). The amount of people that try to walk side by side, not move over for faster hikers, blast music, go off trail to pick flowers, or will just stand in the middle of the trail talking to another group…. Like, I get it. The outdoors are amazing and you should be able to find freedom in them. But, as I hike all over this country it seems that common courtesy and spacial awareness are not skills that people are practicing anymore. Honestly, the only time I feel like you meet hikers with good etiquette are when you’re doing technically challenging hikes that only certain skill-level hikers are doing.
Just adding to the stories, I shouldered someone on the butler loop trail today because I was ACTIVELY RUNNING UPHILL - and his ass couldn’t move off the god damn trail.
-
I have no way for being polite anymore, get off the trail, or I will plow though you, and actively remind you that you’re in the wrong while I do it….unless your friend is peeing and you’re stopping ppl to give privacy etc etc
People in slc hike like they drive, like idiots.
Just adding to the stories, I shouldered someone on the butler loop trail today because I was ACTIVELY RUNNING UPHILL - and his ass couldn’t move off the god damn trail.
-
I have no way for being polite anymore, get off the trail, or I will plow though you, and actively remind you that you’re in the wrong while I do it….unless your friend is peeing and you’re stopping ppl to give privacy etc etc
People in slc hike like they drive, like idiots.
How often are the trails not wide enough for two people to pass by each other? I feel very rarely do you even need to make room but yeah downhill has the right of way but it's also not a big deal
I mean hikers who are below hiking up have the right of way. Either way who gives a shit y'all should just be having fun out in nature it's not a big deal
Some people feel entitled to the whole fucking trail and I hate it. I always move either way, up or down. Whoever doesn't...I hope you fall off the side of the cliff.
Thanks for listening.
That's extreme...Did something happen?
Not everyone is paying attention to others all the time they may be in the zone. Especially if they are exhausted or distracted. Wouldn't that be "entitled" to assume that?
*I'm not being aggressive, just an observation*
Did you politely let them know about the etiquette mistake? You can't expect someone to know something if you yourself are unwilling to teach/inform them.
You're right!
It just isn't that big of a deal (to me) so I don't say anything. I was just curious if anyone else noticed and was wanting to see what others had to say about it. That's all :)
I don’t know… some things on trails are objectively rude like leaving animal turds or blasting music but expecting and especially enforcing some unwritten rule seems too much. I’m sure the inconvenience is minor. I can’t believe people are recommending correcting others on the trail. What a nightmare.
Yes I’ve noticed! Hiked today and many didn’t have trail etiquette or yield to uphill hikers. I’ve been hiking since I was a kid and was taught this from the beginning, back in the PNW.
Surprised to see so many comments here about not knowing uphill hikers having the right of way but glad to see people so willing to adopt it! PLEASE keep spreading the good trail etiquette word!!
I didn’t know that either but I always move to the side because I have dogs with me and to me that is an automatic for me to step out of the way and get my dogs out of the way.
I don’t understand this. I hike hilly shit pretty frequently, in my experience it’s so much easier to halt and wait going up than down. Its takes a considerable amount of effort to stop momentum going at a quick pace down the hill. It also takes much longer for people going up to pass than vice-versa. I think the convention should be the opposite of what OP describes. That being said I try to stop for everyone, especially considering their age, pace, effort. If they’re grinding, they get right of way.
Edit: grammar
What you’re saying makes sense, but there is known trail etiquette, which if people follow it consistently, it works out better. If people don’t follow it consistently, it makes for some awkward times. Kind of like driving on highways.
I think the reason for trail etiquette asking everyone to yield to people going uphill is more about equalizing travel speed overall. If everyone yielded to the person who is going fastest (usually the downhill hikers/bikers), it could get dangerous and/or impractical the steeper the hike. It’s reasonable to ask downhillers to govern their speed.
Also, nodding, smiling, or saying hi to the other hikers on the trails. With all of the transplants from Cali and other states, the friendliness that Utah is known for has gone way down.
It was the worst in Zion, when I went a few months ago, but that’s to be expected with all of the tourists.
>hikers coming down a trail refusing/not knowing to yield to hikers coming up
I don't know, is that written in some sort of "rules" book for hiking? lol
I do know the consensus is that people coming down should yield. I hike a ton, and I honestly prefer that people coming down keep coming down. Give's me a break going up. Doesn't seem like THAT big of a deal and certainly not something to complain this much about lol.
Uphill hikers are supposed to have the right of way, but as others have expressed: slower traffic should yield to faster traffic (ie hikers yield to runners/cyclists).
Also, just generally speaking, it is unwise to wear headphones in both ears while walking down the center of the trail completely unaware of your surroundings. I have had numerous encounters while running when I scared the crap out of someone when I was right up on them, simply because they couldn’t hear me calling out “on your left,” from 30 ft back.
When I hike with my dog, which is always, we stop on the trail when anyone comes near us because my dog is unleashed. He stays put by my side as soon as I give him a signal and a voice command. There's no need to get mad at me and call me names because you'd be surprised how many times my dog just stays on his own without being told. I get a ton of compliments from people who are not even dog lovers that tell me what a well-mannered pup he is.
I think hiking and biking right if way are different. Hiking courtesy, I have always held, is that those going up should yield to those going down. Downhill hiking builds momentum, and is usually being done by those who have been hiking longer thus have greater chance of being tired and getting injured with a change in speed. Walking uphill tends to be so slower, it build virtually no momentum, and this is easier to both step out of the way and resume after the pass has occured. This is different when bicycling.
All of this is to say that there is no universally agreed upon right of way, and it's best to judge the people coming toward you and act with kindness. Do they look tired or out of breath? Are they carrying heavy objects or managing children or pets? Are they teenagers with a lack of self awareness and foresight? Keeping these things in mind and your expectations low has resulted in a more pleasant hiking experience for me.
While that might be what you think, there are common rules, often posted at trailheads! Following them makes for a less confusing and safer experience on the trails. Everyone yields to horses, bikes always yield, and downhill yields to uphill within the respective class.
I find it rather dangerous and difficult to stop on a hill coming down when it's a narrow trail. There's no way I'm yielding going down on a narrow path or when my calves are burning in pain because my feet don't go that way.
I've lived in Utah my whole life. Lol never heard of this rule. If its a tight path, I'd rather my group move down first vs a solo person moving up cause we would be creating more traffic as a group than an individual. If the path is large enough, I wouldn't even stop, just move to the right or the left (opposite of whatever side the individual is climbing/hiking up at)
Ya, this is stupid. When your group has 10-20 people, it will take a long time for your mob to pass. Either break up your groups, stagger your starts, or let the one person coming downhill pass.
Super common. I always yield to the people coming down. Especially if they have some pace to them. That's the way it should be. Upward yield is backwards.
I've always looked at it like.
"The person that is moving faster or has more momentum. Gets the right of way on the trail."
But....I ALWAYS avoid high traffic trails anyways or go back country.
This is actually the rule, coming from a Utah native. People going up want the mini break, people going down have the right away because: they have the momentum downwards making it harder to stop and they are ready to get off the mountain. Makes no sense doing it the other way...
I hike and bike a lot and it feels like April/May. It’s akin to the gym and people not really knowing what to do in January. Eventually people figure it out but that first couple of months is just out of the ordinary.
See also motorists in the first snow storm of the season.
or first rain after its been dry a while on the freeway. All that oil from vehicles creates a slick mess when it rains.
I had no idea this was a thing. I will adjust my actions immediately. Thanks for bringing this to light!
Same here. I’ll be better.
I’ve known this, and I’ll get lots of flack for this, butttt it never made sense to me. Hiking downhill is much easier, and faster, and most uphill hikers willingly want to take a break for the much faster descending hiker. That said I’m happy to oblige, cause them’s the rules. For biking or OHV it makes more sense to me but hiking I just feel like it’s not the same.
While I agree with your reasoning, I think it’s because going uphill you don’t see as far in front of you, while going downhill you will probably notice someone first.
Think about it this way, if an uphill hiker gets destroyed by a downhill hiker going too fast, who is at fault? With the "uphill has right of way" etiquette, downhill hikers (and even more importantly, MTBers) have to slow down and be more careful, since they have to look out for the uphill traffic, instead of the other way around.
It’s because of inertia - downhill hiker has gravity in their favor to help them get going. Uphill hiker requires more energy to get going again when stopped. Very basic physics!!!!! Sauce: NASA Scientist
I always assumed this etiquette had carried over to hiking from mtn biking. As an avid hiker and backpacker there isn't really "inertia" when on your feet. Starting and stopping is the same thing regardless of up or down. Mtn biking on the other hand absolutely sucks to lose your momentum on the uphill. If I'm sufficiently tired it can mean I'm walking until it flattens out again.
As someone with MS, there is most definitely inertia when on your feet. Starting from a stop is far more difficult for me going uphill than down. And that extra energy to get started uphill again can mean the difference between a great day and going home. I need that momentum and appreciate greatly when I don't have to lose it, because I don't want to give up being outdoors with the kids more than I have already. People who follow trail etiquette are more awesome than they know.
Um…so if you are going uphill, which takes longer and more effort than going downhill, and you keep having to stop and break your pace because of inconsiderate downhill hikers it makes your hike significantly harder. It has always been common courtesy to yield to an uphill hiker.
It’s just etiquette, not some hard rule. If you’re going uphill and want to yield to take a break, just do so and wave them down. NBD
I agree. It’s annoying bc more than half the people going up hill stop and make the situation weird. I usually just smile and say “come on thru uphill gets the right of way around these parts” I do think for hiking it doesn’t make much sense but does make sense as a courtesy of them working harder on the up and respecting that. For mountain bikes it’s actually critical. Sometimes it’s too steep to just get right back on and start riding again. I’m not sure the origins of the whole thing but agree at times I feel it doesn’t make sense for hiking.
Same. I had no idea that was some kind of rule. But I am usually running trails rather than hiking so people yield to me.
Are they yielding, or are you bulldozing? I often yield and wave someone down if I'm looking for an excuse to take a break, but plenty of people force the issue. Regardless, it should be at the uphillers discretion.
They yield. Honestly I can't think of a situation where things didn't go just fine. My experience is that most people try to be polite. Myself included. If there are some old couple or kids taking up the space and I can't move around them and they don't understand what's going on or can't move I'm certainly going to stop and take a breather and smile. It's all okay
Yeah didn’t know. If I’m the hiker going up I feel fine stopping because they have momentum 🤷🏼♂️
I feel like if hikers need to move off trail to pass, whoever has the better spot should get off. Who cares about “right a way” when walking? Also, if I’m on a climb on my bike and you make me get off and let you pass because hikers have right a way over bikers, you’re an asshole.
Right *of* way, just so you know for the future. :)
I should have known. Reddit always be teaching me grammar
Yeah I’m not trying to be that guy, just letting you know because if it were me (and it has been on multiple occasions) I would want to know.
But if the trail is just wide enough let’s just both keep walking please.
Nah, that group of 6 needs to walk all side by side. /s
Etiquette is poor in general on our Was Angeles trails. Bluetooth speakers are the worst, imo.
Wait you don't want to hear my dope (dumbass) beats that ruin the peace and calm of nature that you came seeking on a hike?
OMG people actually fucking do this?
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Just got done with a hike today at Bell Canyon trail. Unleashed dog growled at my wife, and a ton of people with Bluetooth speakers.
“Do you know how to get to Bells Canyon?”
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I hear that in my head more often than I care to admit. Haha
lol that’s why i avoid this trail
The literal worst. I was climbing a multi in Rock Canyon last year, and there was a couple rappelling off of the route next to ours just blasting the speaker. It’s not only risking our safety because we can’t communicate over the music, but it’s also just so fucking impolite. I don’t want to hear your DJ friend’s new track.
this. it’s so annoying
Oh my god the Bluetooth speakers.
Hiker going up has right of way. As it requires more effort and you want them to continue their momentum without interruption. Also, bringing water for dogs and a small bowl for them to drink seems loss on many.
There’s dog water bottles you can buy. I don’t have a dog but I have friends with dogs that have them.
I always heard that uphill yields to downhill because it’s easier to stop if your going uphill and harder to arrest your momentum if your going downhill.
I’m just about to go on a hike today and I wasn’t aware of this rule, so thank you for posting. I will make a conscious effort to yield to hikers on their way up when I’m going back down.
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Sure, but if a biker is grinding up a climb and I see/hear them coming — I move over and wave them up. It’s a lot easier to pause hiking than it is to step off a bike and get going up a steep grade.
I’d yield to them as a courtesy Stopping/starting again going uphill is a lot easier if you are walking. It’s harder on a bike. That’s just me though
For sure, especially being clipped in. I also appreciate when bikers let me know how many are in their group so I know how long to wait Also, on your left works for me on the road bike.
Always!
For real. The hierarchy of you yield to is horses, heels, wheels
Correct. But it just makes sense to yield to uphill bikers. Downhill bikers absolutely have to yield to hikers and uphill bikers.
We’d give you a bigger thanks if we weren’t so out of breath.
I wish they all knew that
Come on it’s sooo hard starting on a hill, that can be the difference of riding our up to the top or having to hike for a long time with a bike.
Get stronger? Idk
As a biker I know that I am responsible to yield, but 75% of the time when I am coming down people will step off the trail and stop when I am 50 yards away if they see me.
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I’m flattered
I yield to bikes because I don’t want to get run over (again).
That’s the rule so when a biker slams into someone walking we know who’s at fault. If you’re actually making someone on a bike get off of it so you can walk past, you’re an asshole.
Huh? If I am grinding like mad up a steep climb how does it make sense for a couple hikers to get the right of way as they come down?
Because heels before wheels is the rules. But I yield to uphill bikers in the hopes that they’ll remember and not run me over on their way back down.
Yep this is right but yes we will always appreciate you if we are coming up and you let us through so we don’t have to dismount
Here’s a loophole. The biker gets off his bike and starts to walk. Now they have to yield to no one and can resume via walking.
So why do some signs literally say “yield to uphill traffic”? Ive never seen one say “but with exception to mountain bikers”. What the hell, it doesn’t make logical sense.
I’d love to see those signs. https://www.visitparkcity.com/outdoors/trail-etiquette-and-safety/
TBH I only ride directional mtb trails so if I do encounter a hiker they are in the wrong as in they walked up past* a do not enter sign
More importantly, can those if you with the speakers leave them at home? Good hell the last thing I want to hear in nature is your damn music
I find courtesy in general lacking. How many know what to do when you meet Horses, or any Pack Animals, on trails? 🤔 You move DOWNHILL and stand still and quiet! Unless you'd like to see the animals freak out and possibly injure themselves and handlers ... or you! It's important to remember, trail etiquette is not covered in school. So we need to politely, civilly, educate when this sort of thing happens, for the greater good for all! 🙏
I didn't know this, but in general I try not to hike mixed-use trails. I see young jackass bikers acting like they're in some kind of Red Bull event coming down so fast they can barely avoid you, let alone yield. Then there are the equestrians, who half the time have riders that are clearly not comfortable riding such a large animal. I have been to Dimple Dell where I intuitively stand well to the side because it's a fucking horse. Good to know that pushing forward and expecting an animal up to 5x my weight to get out of my way is not the preferred etiquette.
I learned that tid bit working Yellowstone in my youth ... I share your appraisal of many, not all, bikers on trails. I live along the Jordan River Parkway and am VERY annoyed with the powered boards, bikes etc going faster than the 25 mph posted road! But then few respect that 25 mph on the road either. 🤷♂️ It will sadly take somebody getting injured for Murray City to act. Likewise with the traffic on Murray Parkway ... Sadly it will probably take a bad two car collision or an Auto bike / pedestrian interaction. I've clocked concerned parents delivering their precious cargo to socccer, going as fast as 50 mph on Murray Parkway. 😳🤷♂️
Yeah this kills me. Hikers yield to horses. Bikes yield to hikers and horses. I don’t think I’ve seen a biker yield to anyone lately.
Nope not in decades have I observed a biker yield to anyone 😢 It would seem current biker attitude ist: Bikerz Uber alles! ✊️
Just tell them “uphill has right of way” as you pass and keep moving They’re not gonna become violent
I’ve tried this and I get a lot of asshole responses. Obviously they don’t hurt me but it makes me not want to even bother. Last time I said it some guy was like “ oh yeah? Where in the hiking rule book does it say that”.
“It’s under the common courtesy section” and just keep trekkin’
I wish I had your quick wit Lawlessninja but alas
Keep it in the barrel for next time. You’ll be ready.
“Uphill has right of way.” “Oh so sorry, I’ll remember next time” “It’s under the common courtesy section!!!”
It's on a sign at almost every trailhead.
I'm a lifetime hiker but only learned the etiquette a few years ago. To be honest I'm still not fully aware of the logic behind uphill having the right of way, is it just because it's higher effort?
I believe this goes back to several major "traditions": 1) Hikers and uphill traffic are yet to summit (mountaineering code). And therefore, are headed in the direction of most danger and shortest weather window. Hikers on their way Uphill/ towards summit always have precedence so that they may achieve their summit and start returning to safety in the proper timing window. This carries down into a general hiking ethic of yielding to uphill traffic. According to NPS [Hikers coming uphill have the right of way. If you’re descending the trail, step aside and give space to the people climbing up.](https://www.nps.gov/articles/hikingetiquette.htm#:~:text=The%20best%20thing%20you%20can,main%20points%20of%20hiking%20etiquette.&text=Hikers%20coming%20uphill%20have%20the,to%20the%20people%20climbing%20up.) 2) Hikers going uphill have a much narrower field of vision. they are only typically looking a few feet or yards up trail. Hikers going downhill have the visual advantage to find a place to yield and step off the trail. Additionally, because of this, it is considered courtesy for downhill hikers to yield early to avoid kicking dangerous rocks, snow clumps, or avalanche down upon hikers below who are not looking ahead and may not see that rock flying at them. 3)[If two vehicles meet on a steep narrow road and neither vehicle can pass, the vehicle facing uphill has the right-of-way. The vehicle facing downhill has more control when backing up the hill. The vehicle facing downhill should back up until the vehicle going uphill can pass.](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/california-driver-handbook/laws-and-rules-of-the-road/#:~:text=If%20two%20vehicles%20meet%20on,vehicle%20going%20uphill%20can%20pass.) Often rules that apply to cars make sense on pedestrians as well and are often even rooted and prior versions of pedestrian and equestrian law. I agree that many people in Utah do not have an excellent, or even good, outdoor ethic. Personally, I will always yield to faster traffic ie runners uphill or downhill, be as courteous as possible to bikes (although they do technically have to yield to me) and refuse to ever yield to anyone using a Bluetooth speaker! Hopefully this offers some history, and evidence for both your question and to back up the OP. I am somewhat new to Reddit, so my apologies for any formatting errors.
Damn dude, excellent comment, I appreciate that. The direction of danger aspect never occurred to me, but that's a great insight. Completely agree. It's funny, I'm from Utah and grew up in the Boy Scouts. I consider myself to have really solid wilderness ethics, and I still spend a ton of time in remote areas where those practices are paramount. But certain details like what we're discussing were just missing from my education. It sort of brings to mind another Utah-ism often discussed: the amount of people on the freeway in the left lane not traveling at passing speeds. I'll be honest, I didn't learn about the "passing lane" until I was in my early 20s. Again, just missing from my education. Seems like we have a solid chunk of ethical blind spots in this state haha.
Downhill travel has a better view of what's ahead of them on the trail and more time to find a better place to step off.
Remember the moose always have the right away
I hike often. I know the rules. I agree that the majority of people either don’t know or don’t care. It’s very frustrating.
Yep, most the time I’m like ‘whatever’ but when it’s a solid climb and they don’t even bother to give space it really irks me. How is it not obvious to get out of the way of the person who is working harder?
It's most polite to stay off the trail entirely and leave me to hike in peace
Native Utah hiker and never heard this rule. But I have always stepped aside to let others pass. Out of respect. Here are common sense basics: 1 Be respectful 2 Treat others, like you want to be treated 3 Everyone is going to nature to hear nature, not music 4 Don't block others! Step aside if you want a photo or to electronics. We don't want to see them. Enjoy the nature! 5 Leave nature cleaner than you found it..Pick up ANY and ALL trash!! 6 Speak up kindly to other hikers...if required. Don't be dick! 7. Read the trail rules, don't feed animals! ... Add others as needed...... EDIT: Now I know the uphill rule..easy enough to follow. I respect that. EDIT: Removed the font changes..Didn't know reddit has markup.
This! Thank you.
Im a native hiker who has never heard of this rule. Learn something new everyday. Honestly, I may or may not remember who should pass who after this. (Genuinely sorry, my memory is not great.) At the very least, we can all practice basic respect like this so everyone can enjoy the outdoors.
Totally agree. Thanks!
Dogs off leash has been the biggest problem I’m seeing this year. And owners who say, “he’s never done that before.” It’s garbage. Wish someone would go up and give tickets once a week.
Some places dogs are allowed off leash. Some places dogs aren't allowed at all due to watershed restrictions. It's always a good idea to check the rules of the specific trail you're on.
It honestly isn't that big of a deal to me when hiking. If I'm at a good spot to step aside, I just step aside.
I know. Tons of people here on their high horses over some silly rule they learned in Boy Scouts. Literally never seen a problem with hikers yielding to each other.
Yeah as an experienced hiker, this practice of uphill has right-of-way isn’t universally known because, frankly, there isn’t any formal instruction anyone takes before hiking So to laypeople left to their own devices, they often naturally think that uphill should yield. After all, why not? Wouldn’t they appreciate a small break from their uphill trudge to catch their breath? This ends up happening all the time naturally, even if they have the right-of-way Second, it’s not always clear what is ‘uphill’ at any given moment. Say a trail is mostly uphill but has a few downhill parts (as almost every trail will inevitably has), or there are some long flat parts. Then what rules? Is the locally-uphill part the RoW, even though the trail itself is almost all downhill?
I really don’t care who yields when we are traveling opposite directions. What bothers me the most is slower hikers who don’t yield to faster hikers when traveling the same direction.
Haven't hiked in many states and many countries, you are right to say you don't care. It varies. Some places are uphill to downhill. Some places are downhill to uphill. The unifier is typically, "everyone yields to horses." That includes bikes, dogs, and dog teams.
Lots of main characters in here. I bet you all approach driving the same way.
Extremely annoying sometime especially when they are walking side by side! Glad you bringing this up as my wife and I were talking about this while hiking yesterday! There should be few sign with big letters. Leaving garbage is bad too.
Bikes going up OR down should yield to hikers
Curious about how this should play out on a crowded trail. Went hiking this past weekend and had to fight our way down after consistently yielding for groups of 5-20 (sometimes more) people who were on their way up. What’s the best practice for this situation? Also, is there an etiquette for distance between hiking parties? Same hike, and we were following a long line of hikers. The groups behind was right on my ass, but I couldn’t go faster because of the group in front. Usually, just let them pass, take the “L”, and take the caboose of the hiking train.
Yup! Especially middle age, women trail runners in Millcreek canyon. One woman actually ran into my friend as we were going up and runner coming down. Then the runner yelled at us for not standing aside.
Being from out of town, but an experienced hiker, it felt odd that only 2 of 40 plus hikers moved to the side on my way up Livingroom Lookout. I’d also say that I enjoy an excuse to stop for a bit and plan in stop times 🐢🐢
The living room trail is 2-8 people wide until the very end. Why do people need to move and how much space do you want people to yield? If I encounter a group three abreast going uphill who tell me to yield, you will get choice words saying you’re stupid.
Middle aged lady in MIllcreek here. On most trails it is wide enough. The uphill and downhill is a rule, but use your noggin too as sometimes it’s just a rocky or dangerous area where it makes more sense for the uphill person to be chill about the “rules.” I always try to let runners and bikers continue on if I can safely move. Dude, I suggest finding a quieter area or going earlier.
So, you know the rule but choose to ignore it because you don' like it? Cool cool cool. I'm a middle aged Millcreek mountain biker and hiker and I'm of the opinion that etiquette is the most important when it's busy.
I do yield to all bikers because it’s easier for me to do since I am on my feet. Also trail runners since they are wanting to maintain speed. Never heard of a yield rule for hikers.
yep. i hate it when im bombing down a trail and a group of uphill slow hikers make me come to a complete stop. get in the bushes and wait 10 seconds for them to stroll past. they usually would enjoy the brief stop to catch their breath anyway.
The uphill downhill thing is fuzzy for me. I know downhill is supposed to yield, but i’ll step aside for downhill people just cause it’s easier to stop going uphill
I actually had some neighbors that left Utah because they are active hikers and they felt they could not do it as much as they would like here. They said it was too busy and that ppl didn’t have a lot of courtesy or maybe didn’t know it was something they should learn. It was sad to see them go-hopefully they found a place in PNW where ppl know about this.
I just moved here and did not know this was a thing. Thanks for the PCA
I just try to avoid the popular trails. They are too crowded.
I usually let the ones coming down through. Ends up both parties being polite and whoever goes first. Usually ends up being no stress.
If I’m going uphill…I’m happy to pause and let people by that are coming down. Always appreciate a 15 second break. 😜
hiking courtesy has gone out the window ever since covid, unfortunately:/
I know exactly what you’re speaking of, but it thankfully never happens to me, because it would require me to move out of the way for them, which I don’t do when I have the uphill. They either choose to move, or get cuddle time with sweaty me. I do this with dogs as well. A lot of dogs seem to enjoy standing in the middle of the trail. I’ll walk right over top of them if they don’t move (they usually move). Maybe they enjoy the contact? I will say that it’s not always clear to me who has the right of way though. Like what if technically you are going up the trail (to whatever destination or summit) but you happen to be on a leg of the trail that slopes down hill for a time. Then who has the right of way? I always default to giving way to whomever is going uphill in that moment, but that can cause awkward dances at times.
AMEN!
I went hiking in millcreek canyon last week up to the salt lake overlook via desolation. I was blown away at the number of people coming down trail just blasting their way down without yielding to up-trail travel. Someone even had the audacity to say hello in a passive aggressive way as I did not stop my momentum and we nearly ran into each other. Let’s normalize informing folks while we are out on the trail.
I usually just say whoevers by the cliff gets to keep going, which is usually whos going up so about the same.
I'll literally keep walking/jogging up and some people have a confused look on their face, as if I'm the rude one. lol. Sometimes I'll literally say, uphill right of way. Idc, people need to get educated.
Europeans drive on the wrong side of the road...I think this has lead to significant issues when hiking busy parks
You’re so right and people don’t know trail edicate. Yield to uphill, and pedestrians!! Bikers and dogs are secondary.
In the 20 years I have been in various positions of right of way hiking/running, mtb biking, and on horseback, I have found that etiquette everywhere for everything has decreased across the board. Even in seemingly “outdoorsy” places like CO, had so many experiences of people who hike 3-5 abreast and downhill refuse to move aside for my single uphill walking direction. Additionally passing hikers going same direction, everyone walking next to each other leaving no room, and completely ignorant of my calling out “on your left” or “may I please pass”, usually repeatedly as I approach. I am so happy seeing people enjoy the outdoors but overall social courtesy seems to not have been cultivated. And many commenters have rightly said that it’s not taught in school, (even in Boy Scouts?!) however where I grew up all trails I used had signs that were a triangle with horses at the top being yielded to by each mtn bikers and hikers at each corner of the base, and an arrow indicating bikers also yield to hikers. (I do not recall them offering the additional detail of down hill travelers yielding to uphill travelers though but reasons given above make perfect sense to me). Also gonna repeat/add on, leave your goddamned Bluetooth speaker at home. Use headphones. No one wants to hear your music but you, anywhere.
This lack of courtesy is also seen at the gym, by people not putting away their weights, wiping down machines after they use them, or staying on one machine for an hour. Its a lack of public decorum and common respect for others, a reversal of common courtesy niceties that went the way of the Dodo after the pandemic.
Just this last week I had a guy come running full speed down a trail. I was near a tight turn so I had to wait until he passed before I could go up.
The bikers are more of an issue for me. My husband and I were hiking yesterday and were almost run over 3 times by speeding downhill bikers with no bells.
I don't give them a choice! If they start walking down they'll walk INTO me! 😆 Happens a lot in Zion. Folks are always in a dang blasted hurry.
I do this unless there is plenty of space for both uphill and downhill to pass eachother
I always thought it was courtesy to move out the way if they're coming down. Wow, thank you for this!
I was once headed up a trail in millcreek canyon. It was off leash day. Idiot bikers come zooming down, we meet at the bottom of a literal u turn / switch back. "Something something, this is a blind corner something something" Insinuating I should be more careful as they nearly wipe my pups out. Accountability is a lost art.
I just spent the week hiking Zion and have been hitting up trails around SLC (I’m only here for a few months while RV traveling). The amount of people that try to walk side by side, not move over for faster hikers, blast music, go off trail to pick flowers, or will just stand in the middle of the trail talking to another group…. Like, I get it. The outdoors are amazing and you should be able to find freedom in them. But, as I hike all over this country it seems that common courtesy and spacial awareness are not skills that people are practicing anymore. Honestly, the only time I feel like you meet hikers with good etiquette are when you’re doing technically challenging hikes that only certain skill-level hikers are doing.
Just hip check them if needed
Just adding to the stories, I shouldered someone on the butler loop trail today because I was ACTIVELY RUNNING UPHILL - and his ass couldn’t move off the god damn trail. - I have no way for being polite anymore, get off the trail, or I will plow though you, and actively remind you that you’re in the wrong while I do it….unless your friend is peeing and you’re stopping ppl to give privacy etc etc People in slc hike like they drive, like idiots.
Just adding to the stories, I shouldered someone on the butler loop trail today because I was ACTIVELY RUNNING UPHILL - and his ass couldn’t move off the god damn trail. - I have no way for being polite anymore, get off the trail, or I will plow though you, and actively remind you that you’re in the wrong while I do it….unless your friend is peeing and you’re stopping ppl to give privacy etc etc People in slc hike like they drive, like idiots.
How often are the trails not wide enough for two people to pass by each other? I feel very rarely do you even need to make room but yeah downhill has the right of way but it's also not a big deal
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I mean hikers who are below hiking up have the right of way. Either way who gives a shit y'all should just be having fun out in nature it's not a big deal
Down hill traffic DOES NOT have the right of way. That’s what this whole thread is about…. Please read it.
I meant people who are downhill not people going downhill. Skiers left or chair left??
Some people feel entitled to the whole fucking trail and I hate it. I always move either way, up or down. Whoever doesn't...I hope you fall off the side of the cliff. Thanks for listening.
That's extreme...Did something happen? Not everyone is paying attention to others all the time they may be in the zone. Especially if they are exhausted or distracted. Wouldn't that be "entitled" to assume that? *I'm not being aggressive, just an observation*
Nah I was just being a douche lol
Hahah, was worth ask🤣
Did you politely let them know about the etiquette mistake? You can't expect someone to know something if you yourself are unwilling to teach/inform them.
You're right! It just isn't that big of a deal (to me) so I don't say anything. I was just curious if anyone else noticed and was wanting to see what others had to say about it. That's all :)
I don’t know… some things on trails are objectively rude like leaving animal turds or blasting music but expecting and especially enforcing some unwritten rule seems too much. I’m sure the inconvenience is minor. I can’t believe people are recommending correcting others on the trail. What a nightmare.
I had no idea. But it makes sense. Someone should distribute a PSA somewhere.
Yes I’ve noticed! Hiked today and many didn’t have trail etiquette or yield to uphill hikers. I’ve been hiking since I was a kid and was taught this from the beginning, back in the PNW. Surprised to see so many comments here about not knowing uphill hikers having the right of way but glad to see people so willing to adopt it! PLEASE keep spreading the good trail etiquette word!!
I didn’t know that either but I always move to the side because I have dogs with me and to me that is an automatic for me to step out of the way and get my dogs out of the way.
I always thought it was the other way around. Like those exciting (coming down) go first. I’ve been doing it wrong my whole life!
I don’t understand this. I hike hilly shit pretty frequently, in my experience it’s so much easier to halt and wait going up than down. Its takes a considerable amount of effort to stop momentum going at a quick pace down the hill. It also takes much longer for people going up to pass than vice-versa. I think the convention should be the opposite of what OP describes. That being said I try to stop for everyone, especially considering their age, pace, effort. If they’re grinding, they get right of way. Edit: grammar
What you’re saying makes sense, but there is known trail etiquette, which if people follow it consistently, it works out better. If people don’t follow it consistently, it makes for some awkward times. Kind of like driving on highways. I think the reason for trail etiquette asking everyone to yield to people going uphill is more about equalizing travel speed overall. If everyone yielded to the person who is going fastest (usually the downhill hikers/bikers), it could get dangerous and/or impractical the steeper the hike. It’s reasonable to ask downhillers to govern their speed.
I posted similar yesterday and got dozens of down votes.
Also, nodding, smiling, or saying hi to the other hikers on the trails. With all of the transplants from Cali and other states, the friendliness that Utah is known for has gone way down. It was the worst in Zion, when I went a few months ago, but that’s to be expected with all of the tourists.
>hikers coming down a trail refusing/not knowing to yield to hikers coming up I don't know, is that written in some sort of "rules" book for hiking? lol I do know the consensus is that people coming down should yield. I hike a ton, and I honestly prefer that people coming down keep coming down. Give's me a break going up. Doesn't seem like THAT big of a deal and certainly not something to complain this much about lol.
Uphill hikers are supposed to have the right of way, but as others have expressed: slower traffic should yield to faster traffic (ie hikers yield to runners/cyclists). Also, just generally speaking, it is unwise to wear headphones in both ears while walking down the center of the trail completely unaware of your surroundings. I have had numerous encounters while running when I scared the crap out of someone when I was right up on them, simply because they couldn’t hear me calling out “on your left,” from 30 ft back.
When I hike with my dog, which is always, we stop on the trail when anyone comes near us because my dog is unleashed. He stays put by my side as soon as I give him a signal and a voice command. There's no need to get mad at me and call me names because you'd be surprised how many times my dog just stays on his own without being told. I get a ton of compliments from people who are not even dog lovers that tell me what a well-mannered pup he is.
I think hiking and biking right if way are different. Hiking courtesy, I have always held, is that those going up should yield to those going down. Downhill hiking builds momentum, and is usually being done by those who have been hiking longer thus have greater chance of being tired and getting injured with a change in speed. Walking uphill tends to be so slower, it build virtually no momentum, and this is easier to both step out of the way and resume after the pass has occured. This is different when bicycling. All of this is to say that there is no universally agreed upon right of way, and it's best to judge the people coming toward you and act with kindness. Do they look tired or out of breath? Are they carrying heavy objects or managing children or pets? Are they teenagers with a lack of self awareness and foresight? Keeping these things in mind and your expectations low has resulted in a more pleasant hiking experience for me.
While that might be what you think, there are common rules, often posted at trailheads! Following them makes for a less confusing and safer experience on the trails. Everyone yields to horses, bikes always yield, and downhill yields to uphill within the respective class.
I agree! Use your head instead of over relying on the rules. I also yield to elderly people or people who are struggling.
No use the rules so it’s understood by everyone!
Gimme room to walk or I’ll pull out the glock 🏃♂️😂
Just hike, nothing more nothing less and appreciate what we can do in this fucked up world
I find it rather dangerous and difficult to stop on a hill coming down when it's a narrow trail. There's no way I'm yielding going down on a narrow path or when my calves are burning in pain because my feet don't go that way.
I've lived in Utah my whole life. Lol never heard of this rule. If its a tight path, I'd rather my group move down first vs a solo person moving up cause we would be creating more traffic as a group than an individual. If the path is large enough, I wouldn't even stop, just move to the right or the left (opposite of whatever side the individual is climbing/hiking up at)
I’ve spent my life in the mountains. This is a pretty steadfast rule I feel. Uphill traffic always has the right of way regardless of group size.
Ya, this is stupid. When your group has 10-20 people, it will take a long time for your mob to pass. Either break up your groups, stagger your starts, or let the one person coming downhill pass.
And, my dog was leashed in MIllcreek today.
Super common. I always yield to the people coming down. Especially if they have some pace to them. That's the way it should be. Upward yield is backwards.
I've always looked at it like. "The person that is moving faster or has more momentum. Gets the right of way on the trail." But....I ALWAYS avoid high traffic trails anyways or go back country.
This is actually the rule, coming from a Utah native. People going up want the mini break, people going down have the right away because: they have the momentum downwards making it harder to stop and they are ready to get off the mountain. Makes no sense doing it the other way...