Bicycles will be permitted only on designated paved roadways and in developed areas of the park. No bicycles allowed in the backcountry or outside of the developed areas of the park.
No change is recommended to the prohibition on fires (At least those fires not deliberately started by TPWD staff, such as the one they build every year in October) and limits on containerized fuel use in the designated picnic areas only.
G. Trail System
1. PUBLIC USE-Restriction PLAN: The Public Use-Restriction Plan called for development of a clearly delineated trail system to ensure resource protection and acceptable visitor circulation.
2. ASSESSMENT: An interim trail system was established in October 1998. The purpose of the trail system was:
* Identify tentative primary routes of accessibility to all major rock features (mountains) and interpretive locations in park.
* Evaluate the trail routing in regards to operational and recreational requirements.
* Establish precedence for a defined and limited trail system;
* Allow an evaluation of a defined trail route in relation to known and suspected cultural and natural resources.
When viewed from a recreational and operational perspective, the initial routing of the interim trail system proved to be a functional and scenic success.
Archeological investigations during the Summer of 1999 revealed a concentration of significant cultural deposits adjacent to the major geologic formations that comprise the nucleus of the park. This confirmation of suspected cultural materials necessitates amending sections of the proposed primary trail routes identified in October 1998. These route changes have been identified through meetings between TPW archeologists and planners.
Design of the trail system is being finalized, incorporating the results of the archeological survey to place the trail in areas that will cause the least impact to all resources. Once the design is completed, it will be reviewed by external agencies and interested parties, as required by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Staff anticipates initiation of trail construction by early 2000.
The proposed trail system supports three main routes for interpretive/recreational tours currently given by park personnel and volunteer guards:
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