Remote Trails Radio

Ep 37: 11 Unwritten Trail Rules You Might Be Breaking

Garrick & Melody

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0:00 | 55:51

Garrick and Melody are back with a mix of adventure updates and practical trail wisdom. Garrick shares his experience attending the Montana Backcountry Discovery Route (MTBDR) unveiling in Seattle, including what the new 900-mile route looks like, the film screening, and why Montana might be the next big BDR destination for riders and overlanders. 

From there, the conversation shifts to one of the most important (and sometimes controversial) topics in off-road travel: trail etiquette. Garrick and Melody break down the unwritten rules of the trail—from group size and yielding properly, to camp spacing, recovery etiquette, radio use, and minimizing impact on public lands. They share real stories from the trail (including a few ranger encounters and recovery lessons learned the hard way) and discuss how good communication and a positive attitude can make everyone’s experience better. 

They also cover:

  • Why smaller groups often work better on tight trails
  • Who should yield when two groups meet
  • Letting faster traffic pass (and why blocking them is a bad idea)
  • Camp etiquette and sharing dispersed sites respectfully
  • Recovery best practices and avoiding dangerous situations
  • How to be a good ambassador for the overlanding community

Plus, Garrick recommends a quirky sci-fi comedy series on Netflix, and Melody shares a unique sauna experience near Lake Sammamish for post-adventure relaxation. 

Whether you’re new to overlanding or a seasoned trail veteran, this episode is packed with tips to help you travel responsibly, safely, and with good trail karma.

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