Havasu off road etiquette

[boblins]

It may not have occured to all of the Robby Gordon wannabes and others, but people live beside some of the trails that many of us enjoy in Havasu. You can tell by walls, fences, houses along side the trail. Many of us like to actually use our yards without living in constant dust storms caused by drivers that think wide open throttle is the only way their machines will operate. Have some manners and SLOW down to cut down the dust those of us living close (within 500 ft or so) to trails have to deal with. Especially bad when it is a group ride with drivers thinking they are competing in the "250". There is lots of open desert to hit the gas in away from homes.

Can tell you for sure , and maybe sooner than you think, these access trails will be shut down by one level of govt or the other if the issue continues. Personally I like having trail access close to my home and would prefer they stay open, but our neighbors are not off roaders so their complaints are being noticed and unfortunately we may have to join them in asking the agencies responsible to do something. Eating dust beside the pool is not fun, let alone the constant cleaning required of homes, pools, and yards! Thanks to all of those that actually do slow down and keep the dust to a minimum.

 

[Outdrive1]

I’m interested in seeing the responses to this one, especially if you’re a Canuck. I understand your complaint, I also feel that building a pool next to a desert trail/riding area, isn’t the brightest thing I’ve ever heard. Non snow birds typically don’t sunbathe by the pool during riding season anyhow, we wait until it’s 120 out and too hot for sxs’s.

As windy as it’s been lately, I’m guessing said pool is a mud pit anyhow.

Let’s see some pics or satellite of the area you are talking about.

 

[DRYHEAT]

Yep, the knuckleheads are going to get it closed down for everybody. Why anybody has to go 10 feet off the road and do donuts I don’t know, but you guys that spin your tires when you go from street into the dirt and fill up the street with rocks are going to cause problems, people have been bitching about it for a long time.

 

[cakemoto]

Did you just move from California?

 

[dspracing]

Can we first get people to learn how to handle stop signs in town?

 

[DLC]

A lot of people like to SHIT in their back yard!
And
then don’t mind stepping in it.

a little respect goes a long way!
I like to haul ass / drive my car but try not to do it in or right next to neighborhoods ! I also turn down the tunes when I turn into my neighborhood

although
this is like buying a house on the water right on the Parker Strip then complain about the early morning boats making to much noise!

 

[cold_one]

Buys house in middle of desert, then complains about the dust. Next your going to tell us it's too hot in the summer.

 

[River Runnin]

And next we’ll be hearing booby traps are being found that take out tires, chain anchor to bust axle’s, and 16p jacks everywhere!

 

[Kachina26]

Buys house next to RR tracks, complains about idling locomotives. Buys house next to racetrack, complains about loud cars. Buys house next to airport, complains about noise from planes. You saw all the rabbit trails when you bought, you should have known.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Like it or not he is right. the homeowners along the trails and washes are gonna win this one. I try to go slow, 15 mph or so, in places like the wash on Jamaica that has houses on both sides.

I think if the city put up some signs or something most people would go a little slower around houses.

 

[Wmc]

What was there first Desert or house? If you bought or built you should of knew what you were getting in to. FYI I do slow down and respect. I also ask myself what were they thinking to have a house here. But I get it.

 

[Rivrat]

This kinda sounds like the old folks that bitched about the pismo dust and got that ball rolling. Keep Havasu offroad great. Fuck your pool

 

[240Hallett]

Can we first get people to learn how to handle stop signs in town?

Not likely.

 

[240Hallett]

Like it or not he is right. the homeowners along the trails and washes are gonna win this one. I try to go slow, 15 mph or so, in places like the wash on Jamaica that has houses on both sides.

I think if the city put up some signs or something most people would go a little slower around houses.

Or there would be more signs to shoot at!

 

[EPL]

This kinda sounds like the old folks that bitched about the pismo dust and got that ball rolling. Keep Havasu offroad great. Fuck your pool

People with your attitude are the ones that are going to get the trails closed !!

 

[Sportin' Wood]

The OP has a point and seems a heads up to those that like Offroading. I think the remarks that border on personal is inappropriate. The offroaders always lose this fight. better to be proactive and tread lightly than try and double down. It is pretty common to see these situations escalate quickly.

 

[badgas]

Sad that common sense is so rare it's like a super power.

I watched a guy yesterday in Thompson bay just outside the channel music blasting, leaving a BIG big ole wake etc. come within 5" of bass boat.

Hi boat was big 30"ish zero consideration just blasted through.

The OP was not off base with his ask.

 

[Rivrat]

People with your attitude are the ones that are going to get the trails closed !!

Don't build a pool in the desert and expect it to be clean like you live in HB

 

[DILLIGAF]

Is this kind of like buying a house along a golf course and then complaining about the golf balls ending up in the yard?

I have lived in areas with dirt roads. Yes, it was a pain when someone came thru throwing dust up. Difference was those roads were within our community. The roads eventually became chip sealed as community members went the EPA route and were successful in getting this done.

Regardless…people should use common sense which is lacking these days.

 

[riverroyal]

Interesting replies. Personally i make a effort to stay away from trails near homes. North point and refuge come to mind. Also the rv park near lowes. If i do get within blowing dust i slow to keep it down.
No different than not speeding through residential streets with driveways and kids.

If you live on the edge of town and the dust is too much you should probably move. Theres dust in the summer and no off roaders.

Buy some fans blow the dust back

 

[TCHB]

Sad that common sense is so rare it's like a super power.

I watched a guy yesterday in Thompson bay just outside the channel music blasting, leaving a BIG big ole wake etc. come within 5" of bass boat.

Hi boat was big 30"ish zero consideration just blasted through.

The OP was not off base with his ask.

Just like the channel crowd blasting FU music with all the kids around.

 

[RiverDave]

Someone put a couple “slow” signs on the wash by Jamaica. It actually made a big difference. I used to see people hauling ass up that wash all the time. Now most go slower

 

[EPL]

Don't build a pool in the desert and expect it to be clean like you live in HB

For the most part I don't care about the pool , It's all about the people racing by the houses , doing doughnuts making a bunch of dust and blasting music in peoples back yards . There is thousands of miles of desert for doing that , no reason to do it on the trails going out to the desert !!

 

[Your ad here]

How many of the trails that are by houses are on private property? I was surprised how many trails are on private property in AZ. People yack about oh it's desert, if you didn't like it you should've picked some other place. Private property is private property and should be treated in a respectable manner so it doesn't get closed and cause a 2 hour detour. Like said above, there is thousands of miles of desert to off road and let it all out, why do it by houses or worse, your own camp?

 

[Dalton]

I think this has been going on for a while, the trails near houses in Havasu used to even have booby traps, 2x4's with long nails driven all the way through poking out attached to buried plastic sheeting. Some people move to Havasu for the increased freedom then want increased regulation.

 

[DWC]

I think this has been going on for a while, the trails near houses in Havasu used to even have booby traps, 2x4's with long nails driven all the way through poking out attached to buried plastic sheeting. Some people move to Havasu for the increased freedom then want increased regulation

Spot on. Won’t be long before there’s a speed limit on the lake, restricted access to trails, helmet laws and no shooting in the desert. People love to make rules. Same jackballs that run for HOA boards. They should have to take one off the books for every one added.
Not too long ago there was an inmate that moved back East. Was asking for advice on how to implement the ski flag rule.

 

[River Runnin]

Ming lake is a great example of how this shit happens. Manmade for boat racing, people started buying and building. Then the homeowners started complaining about the noise and wanted speed limits. Went to court and the owners (of the lake) said fine — we will drain and backfill it back to desert! The homeowner’s didn’t like that to much as they thought it was their waterfronts! And place for canoe beating! Lake and racing are still there! —

 

[grumpy88]

One day a tough guy on here is going to come across somebody in yucca and find out there not that tough . The op is asking for a little courtesy passing there homes not the entire south west . Just slow down for the 300 feet and move along .

 

[Your ad here]

Take out the no wake zones and see how that goes over in the channel, marina's, and at the launch ramps. The water was there first and all these people just moved in knowing what happens. Slowing down near houses is a little bit of loss compared to the much bigger loss that awaits if slowing down is ignored. Pretty much its all about respect and sad humans need signs to remind them of that.

 

[outboard_256]

How many of the trails that are by houses are on private property? I was surprised how many trails are on private property in AZ. People yack about oh it's desert, if you didn't like it you should've picked some other place. Private property is private property and should be treated in a respectable manner so it doesn't get closed and cause a 2 hour detour. Like said above, there is thousands of miles of desert to off road and let it all out, why do it by houses or worse, your own camp?

I bet those trails were there before the houses or because of the houses (people from the houses trying to get to the trails). I don't think anyone is riding on private property, and are you saying we shouldn't ride public land close to private property because it might upset them?

 

[Joe mama]

It’s called common curtesy. Just like getting blasted in the channel by a water canons. Respect others and they will respect you. Hopefully!

 

[Your ad here]

I bet those trails were there before the houses or because of the houses (people from the houses trying to get to the trails). I don't think anyone is riding on private property, and are you saying we shouldn't ride public land close to private property because it might upset them?

Just saying when close to homes ride by in a respectable manner. Little bit of sacrifice from the off roader can prevent punishment later. It's harder to unwind regulations than it is to make them.

 

[River Runnin]

There isn’t one member here that doesn’t respect the OP’s wishes! Not one!! .. it’s ALL them others andNon-members that are causing the problem!

AND MOST ARE LIKELY SNOWBIRDS!!

 

[Singleton]

I found the disrespectful off-roaders on the main road to desert bar today.

Took the back way (Jeep + Samari), but the 1 wash out area right before the desert bar almost caused us a huge issue. So we took the main road out - so many assholes passing the line of 10 cars leaving!

 

[outboard_256]

Just saying when close to homes ride by in a respectable manner. Little bit of sacrifice from the off roader can prevent punishment later. It's harder to unwind regulations than it is to make them.

Ya but anything 4 wheeled (quad, sxs, jeep) over 5 mph is going to make excessive dust. Its just nature of the beast. Unless you plan to water those trails on a regular basis it's going to be dusty no matter what speed. How do you "regulate" that. If its windy its even more dust than a sxs can make, you going to stop the wind?

 

[jeepdog]

Don't move to Laughlin

 

[jeepdog]

Best in
the desert. From the Dog

 

[OCMerrill]

Construct something like this. Call it a cabaña tower complete with an armed bartender. Armed with a blender that is.

 

[Your ad here]

Ya but anything 4 wheeled (quad, sxs, jeep) over 5 mph is going to make excessive dust. Its just nature of the beast. Unless you plan to water those trails on a regular basis it's going to be dusty no matter what speed. How do you "regulate" that. If its windy its even more dust than a sxs can make, you going to stop the wind?

There will always be dust. Faster you go the more dust and noise is created. Remember its the Robby Gordon wannabee's we're talking about here. Get in the thing and mash the pedal and have no respect or concern for others. Not saying RG is that type but figure of speech. The guys cruising by slowing down showing some respect to keep the dust down and noise down aren't the problem and can be respected for making an effort.
How many people enjoy the weekend partier getting on the quad and spinning doughnuts next to camp dusting everything out? There's a lot of desert out there to do that shit, why do it next to camp? Cruising through camps to go out to the desert to do that, not much of a problem.

 

[jeepdog]

It's really a no brainer....people are stupid no no I mean uneducated....fuck

 

[racetrash]

Stuck here at the cali house this weekend out in Landers, 4 day weekend for the masses from down below. Yup, the rubber band golf carts are out in force racing up and down the roads people live on, no fucks givin at all. Fuck them all with there double led whips and careless driving around the houses. KOH area is 12 minutes away, but no, too far for these city fucks.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Someone put a couple “slow” signs on the wash by Jamaica. It actually made a big difference. I used to see people hauling ass up that wash all the time. Now most go slower

Seriously that is all that’s needed and will reduce the problem 90%

 

[rivermobster]

Off road etiquette...

Haven't seen any of that since the 70's or so. Back then, they only way you learned about off roading was from family or friends, and they taught you the meaning of respect.

Same as boating.

Today? All you need is a credit card and an internet connection, and you think you know everything.

Respect. Get some.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

I think alot if you need to go offroad in Mexico. You’ll learn etiquette fast or end up dead or in a jail cell.

You go along houses slow down, the issue is too many new off-roaders, and the lack of knowing how to even drive out there.

Full throttle Full brake Full throttle Full brake Full throttle Full brake Full throttle Full brake is not how you drive properly.

 

[Your ad here]

I think alot if you need to go offroad in Mexico. You’ll learn etiquette fast or end up dead or in a jail cell.

You go along houses slow down, the issue is too many new off-roaders, and the lack of knowing how to even drive out there.

Full throttle Full brake Full throttle Full brake Full throttle Full brake Full throttle Full brake is not how you drive properly.

Don't forget the self made fish tailing from swinging the steering wheel back and forth. I was in a F250 with the driver doing this... they smashed into a rock and 2 wheeled the thing bending the shit out of the suspension. I wish there was a camera that caught all 4 of us in the back seat smacking each others heads and smashing them into the ceiling.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Off road etiquette...

Haven't seen any of that since the 70's or so. Back then, they only way you learned about off roading was from family or friends, and they taught you the meaning of respect.

Same as boating.

Today? All you need is a credit card and an internet connection, and you think you know everything.

Respect. Get some.

I’m sure all the people that lived around Sundance in the 70s and 80s and 90s would tell us about the ultimate respect everyone had driving their boats plastered, loud partying all night, running around naked, and passing out drunk everywhere.

The good old days !

Just teasing you bud.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I think alot if you need to go offroad in Mexico. You’ll learn etiquette fast or end up dead or in a jail cell.

You go along houses slow down, the issue is too many new off-roaders, and the lack of knowing how to even drive out there.

Full throttle Full brake Full throttle Full brake Full throttle Full brake Full throttle Full brake is not how you drive properly.

@DLC - this made me think of Chablis.

 

[TCHB]

Off road etiquette...

Haven't seen any of that since the 70's or so. Back then, they only way you learned about off roading was from family or friends, and they taught you the meaning of respect.

Same as boating.

Today? All you need is a credit card and an internet connection, and you think you know everything.

Respect. Get some.

Yes I have that respect is almost gone. I could see the change at Windsor. I helped out for 5 years and could see a big difference in respect of others. This is not good.

 

[HotRod82]

Interesting reading this here this morning.....I was driving southbound through town yesterday near the Lowes and a group of 6 cars were running the pole line there parallel to 95. The dust cloud was insane! Zero wind so it just hung there. I commented to my friend "this isn't going to last long, there is no way the town as a whole is going to put up with the dust". This isn't "the middle of the desert" this is literally right in the middle of town. I also look for some major restrictions coming to Yuma as well.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Don't move to Laughlin View attachment 1089997 View attachment 1089998 View attachment 1089999

Visiting out here. Saw that this weekend.

Pretty good crowds in Laughlin with no masks needed as well