Protect the Lionhead Recommended Wilderness

Mountain bike activists are pressuring the Forest Service to drop proposed protections for the stunning Lionhead Recommended Wilderness and convert the rugged area into an extreme mountain biking destination.

To protect the wilderness character and potential of the land and to preserve recommended wilderness in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, tell forest supervisors not to waver on their proposal to limit travel to foot and horseback.

Add your comments to our letter below, then click on Send this Message.

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Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

I support your proposal to protect the future of the Lionhead Recommended Wilderness by limiting travel on recommended wilderness trails to foot and horseback. Lionhead is a rugged and very special wilderness of the Continental Divide - a last refuge for rare wildlife of the Yellowstone ecosystem.  
 
Closure of Lionhead trails to wheeled transport will enable this stunning area to be designated wilderness - as recommended by the U.S. Forest Service.  
 
Lionhead trails include part of the 3,100-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail - originally proposed by Wilderness Society co-founder Benton MacKaye as a "wilderness trail" linking wilderness and national parks along the Rockies. This rugged mountain trail - steep, narrow with multiple switchbacks - was designed for foot and horseback travel. 
 
Cyclists will continue to enjoy many trails and primitive roads outside recommended wilderness such as the Great Divide Mountain Bike Trail. Bicyclists can ride the Great Divide Mountain Bike Trail - a separate marked trail expressly designed for mountain bikes. There are many suitable trails and places to ride bikes without undermining a recommended wilderness.

Finally, I understand that your policy for protecting recommended wilderness areas has come under fire from some mechanized and motorized activists. Please know that I strongly support your existing wilderness policy and I urge you to defend it against all attacks. Your policy protects quiet recreation experiences and it reduces user conflicts while protecting water, wildlife and other forest resources.

Thank you for acting to protect the Lionhead Wilderness and your current wilderness policy.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

Take Action on this Issue

Send this message to:

Gallatin National Forest Supervisor Mary Erickson
cc: Region 1 Forester Tom Tidwell

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