Hikers on Bald Mountain beware. The Sawtooth National Forest has issued a warning to winter hikers this week, urging everyone venturing up the slopes under their own power to exercise extreme caution.
"By my own observations, and especially during the middle of the day, I have seen more hikers this year than in years past," said Joe Miczulski, winter sports director for the Sawtooth National Forest.
"Where there used to be six or eight folks hiking up the runs at dawn, there are now as many as 100 on a busy day, and many of those folks are hiking up the middle of a run or have dogs with them."
Miczulski went on to say that "earlier this week I saw people walking right up the middle of River Run" during the height of mid-day ski traffic.
Hiking among hordes of careening skiers and snowboarders, many of whom are not in complete control of their equipment, can be a very dangerous endeavor, Miczulski said.
Early morning hiking can be particularly dangerous because of the flurry of activity necessary to prepare the mountain for the upcoming day.
"Snowmobiles ferry snowmakers, lift mechanics and ski patrollers to various locations on the mountain. Groomers work their way up and down the slopes putting finishing touches on the corduroy ski runs," Miczulski said.
The lack of light, coupled with the amount of equipment on the mountain, poses many potential dangers to hikers and their pets.
Bald Mountain is public land, and hikers do have the right to be up on the slopes. However, if conditions continue to grow progressively more dangerous, restrictions may have to be implemented.
"We would rather go the education route instead of the enforcement route," Miczulski said.
But hikers have to exercise common sense and stay on the edges of runs, especially if walking with dogs.
"Hikers need to be aware of this and stay well to the side when walking up or down the ski runs," Miczulski said. "Sometimes, common sense is not so common."
The Forest Service recommends that those who choose to head up Baldy in the wee-hours of the morning wear reflective clothing and flashlights or headlamps.
