It's almost summer and that means happy trails ahead- as long as it's the right day of the week- because the Trail Timeshare system will soon start back up for the year.
When asked if they knew what the Trail Timeshare was, many hikers out near the "M" had no idea.
And they may be oblivious to the program, now in it's fifth year.
But those wanting to blaze their trail in a different way- say on a horse, mountain bike or dirtbike- should be well aware.
"They can be ticketed if they are there with the wrong kind of vehicle on the wrong day of week" said Bozeman District Ranger Lisa Stoeffler with the Gallatin National Forest.
Essentially, the Trail Timeshare system schedules who can be on the trails and when.
For example, above the "M" parking lot on the Foothills Trail 534, a sign shows hikers and horseback riders are allowed any day of the week.
What's not on the sign is a mountain biker- and that's because they can only ride certain days of the week.
Use is restricted altogether for ATV's.
Stoeffler said this summer they're evaluating to see what, if any changes they could make.
"Whether we need to change the schedule, whether we want to consider some of those trails for Timeshare that now are open to allow users on all days" she said.
Recreationalists like Albert McDonald said they think there could be improvements.
"The disappointment for me is actually here" he said, referencing the Foothills trail near the M. "This isn't a Timeshare so much as an exclusion- you can't ride certain aspects of this trail for certain time periods of the summer."
But he's gotten used to the system.
Sot "If I'm not supposed to mountain bike on the trails that day, I trail run. Or I'll pick a different trail" he said.
The Trail Timeshare system starts back up June 16th on a few trails and July 16th for the rest. The rules run until September 4th and 5th.
Stoeffler said the Forest Service will finish their evaluation near the end of the summer.
Click here to find out which trails are on the Timeshare, and their schedules.
