In this era of divisive politics and winner-takes-all no compromising, I would like to offer a simple solution to the controversy in regard to the motorized use of Lake Nighthorse.
I was in the Lake Tahoe area last summer, and there are so many people and user conflicts on the trails in the area that they have resorted to what I believe is an elegant compromise. On heavily used trails like the Tahoe Rim Trail, hikers and horses are allowed on odd numbered days and mountain bikers are allowed on even numbered days.
While this may not be totally satisfying to everyone, it does achieve the goal of minimizing trail user conflicts and it allows people to plan which days they will be on the trail, depending on what kind of trail user they are.
So why can’t we do something like this at Lake Nighthorse? Everyone would be allowed on the lake all the time, but odd numbered days would be for no wake boating only and even numbered days would allow wakes and reasonable speeds, and maybe even jet skis.
Let’s show everyone that we can get along with our neighbors and achieve a reasonable compromise at Lake Nighthorse. Everyone gives up something, but no one totally loses either.
It’s an elegant and reasonable solution to this divisive and polarizing issue.
Dave McHenry
Durango
