Hike on the right side of the law- The highlighted part of paths (on map below) are points of conflict between private land and the Bridle Trail.
Map courtesy of Natrona County GIS dept.
Land and right-of-way easements were acquired 75 years ago to develop a public trail for horseback riding and hiking on Casper Mountain.
The Bridle Trail was such a success, the City of Casper bought an additional strip of land adjoining the County Rotary Park about 40 years ago so there would always be access to the trail without crossing private property (see land below #1) However, the Bridle Trail has gradually expanded onto private property - without permission of the landowners. This has sparked public controversy between those wishing to enjoy the mountain trail (and who probably have no idea they are on private property) and the landowners, who paid for the land, pay taxes and liability insurance every year, pay to prevent fires, repair damage to their land and worry about injuries to trespassers. In 2012, the Natrona County Recreation Joint Powers Board agreed to give a $250,000 grant to clarify and finalize the location of the existing Bridle Trail and further develop it where necessary.
It is the opinon of the landowners that the best and most important first use of the grant would be to rebuild the 70-100 feet of trail from Rotary Park to land owned by Natrona County (see point of conflict on above map, #1). The greatest violations to private land are at this point on Howard Christman's property and it would be easy to correct the problem. A second, and equally important step to solving the issues regarding the Bridle Trail would be for the Natrona County Commissioners to agree to a mutually acceptable path for the Bridle Trail through property (#9 on map). Points #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, and #8 on the map above are conflicts between private landowners and the public using the Bridle Trail. It would be easy to move the trail back to where it has legal access and off private land. The changes would be minimal and would honor the rights of landowners and rule of law.
The landowners believe acquisition of an easement on Attorney Russ Rauchfuss's land (see points #2 & #4 on map above) would be a great addition to the Bridle Trail, but it is more important to clarify and correct the existing trail rather than expand it without resolving the current problems.
Simply clearing up these issues and putting up signs to make it clear where the trail is will ensure that many generations can enjoy the Bridle Trail.
The Bridle Trail was such a success, the City of Casper bought an additional strip of land adjoining the County Rotary Park about 40 years ago so there would always be access to the trail without crossing private property (see land below #1) However, the Bridle Trail has gradually expanded onto private property - without permission of the landowners. This has sparked public controversy between those wishing to enjoy the mountain trail (and who probably have no idea they are on private property) and the landowners, who paid for the land, pay taxes and liability insurance every year, pay to prevent fires, repair damage to their land and worry about injuries to trespassers. In 2012, the Natrona County Recreation Joint Powers Board agreed to give a $250,000 grant to clarify and finalize the location of the existing Bridle Trail and further develop it where necessary.
It is the opinon of the landowners that the best and most important first use of the grant would be to rebuild the 70-100 feet of trail from Rotary Park to land owned by Natrona County (see point of conflict on above map, #1). The greatest violations to private land are at this point on Howard Christman's property and it would be easy to correct the problem. A second, and equally important step to solving the issues regarding the Bridle Trail would be for the Natrona County Commissioners to agree to a mutually acceptable path for the Bridle Trail through property (#9 on map). Points #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, and #8 on the map above are conflicts between private landowners and the public using the Bridle Trail. It would be easy to move the trail back to where it has legal access and off private land. The changes would be minimal and would honor the rights of landowners and rule of law.
The landowners believe acquisition of an easement on Attorney Russ Rauchfuss's land (see points #2 & #4 on map above) would be a great addition to the Bridle Trail, but it is more important to clarify and correct the existing trail rather than expand it without resolving the current problems.
Simply clearing up these issues and putting up signs to make it clear where the trail is will ensure that many generations can enjoy the Bridle Trail.
