[bertman]

So I'm reading a hike review at another site and this person posted this.

[jimmymac]

You aren't alone in wondering about this.

[nuclear_eggset]

I had always wondered about this. Of course the 'be polite and figure it out between you' rule has worked pretty well for me so far.

[touron]

tourons should have the right of way because they know next to nothing about hiking and its rules. I think there are 50 different answers to this question depending on the situation. Courtesy should be the effort. "No, I insist, you first!" "Shall we dance?"

[Dayhike Mike]

[graywolf]

Day hikers yield to those carrying backpacks regardless of direction of travel. All yield to stock (stand downhill so you appear less threatening). Hikers going downhill yield to those going uphill (don't want to break their momentum). 20 to 30 years ago it seemed everyone in the backcountry hiked according to these "rules", nowadays it's rare to come across anyone who knows them.

[touron]

[reststep]

If going uphill or downhill and I see a convenient place to step off I will do so and let the hikers pass. The same holds true if someone comes up behind me and wants to pass. I am usually not in a big hurry anyway. I remember one time though when I stepped aside to let some people go by and then just before they got to me they decided to stop and admire the flowers for about a half hour. That irritated me a little. Then there was the time near Indian Henry's Hunting Ground and I stepped aside to let a couple of rangers pass and they were unhappy because I was off the trail.

[Rich Baldwin]

Wheels yield to heels. Downhill yields to uphill. Everybody yields to horses.

[jenjen]

The other reason to step downhill of stock (if possible) is if the critters still decide to bolt out of fear, its safer and easier to get those critters under control if they're running uphill than it is if they're going downhill. Gravity can be both a blessing and a curse. On places where the trail just drops off, just ask the person handling the stock where they want you. On one steep slope between Red pass and White Pass, I was told to take the pack off and approach the horse with outstretched palm like I was greeting the horse in a stall. I got to pet the horsey and everyone was happy. Normally, if I have the dog with me I step off the trail and have Buster sit at my side. If I'm just hiking alone, I yield to uphill hikers. I understand that uphill rhythm and the mental talking it takes to get to the next switchback.

[Mount Logan]

[kabri]

[Quark]

I personally think the present way horsefolks and hikers move on the trail is best, it's not a problem, and it works: Hikers make sure horsefolks see them, then step downhill, take off funny hats, speak calmly to the mules as they pass. If on terrain where that isn't possible as in Jen's illustration, wait further instruction. Any hiker having a problem with that, is unreasonable, in my opinion.

[Captain Trips]

Hiking up the Canyon Creek trail towards Seven Lakes Basin, I encountered a number of inconsiderate, or just inexperienced, dayhikers coming up from their RV's or cabin's at the Sol Duc area in the Olympics. I had a full pack, probably too full a pack, and repeatedly had to stop and let the dayhikers through and in some cases stop quickly because they weren't slowing down or budging an inch. A couple of times I exchanged quick words with these parties.

[aestivate]