USFS Forest Pass opinions and latest legislation?

I believe that if you read the fine print you will find that the Golden Eagle upgrade does NOT get around the USFS's parking regulations.  I believe that it only covers "entrance" fees at said locations.  (Just don't ask anyone official as I can almost guarantee conflicting responses depending on who you ask based upon my own MRNP White River/ USFS Enumclaw experience).<br><br>On a personal note, I find great irony and frustration in the fact that anyone can load their station wagon with semi-automatic weapons, drive into the forest, park almost anywhere (so long as it is not a "trailhead"), shoot the living hell out of everything in sight including the beer cans emptied on the drive up the hill, leave a trail of casings, cans and carnage, and then drive home happy as hell never having to "legally" pay anything.<br><br>Meanwhile, otherwise law abiding, tax paying, trail loving americans like us, including that low income family down the street looking for a wholesome family experience in "nature", are chased after by rangers with ticketbooks because we have PARKED properly.<br><br>It is a "Land of Many Abuses", and in this case, I think you have found yourself to be another victim.<br><br>I'm with Harvey Manning on this one...you'd better send me a copy of your Forest Pass if you buy one....  <br><br>- J.P.

<br><br>The "golden eagle" pass (or sticker on a national park pass)  does entitle you to park in national forests -- however not all the USFS rangers are aware of this detail -- so I've had to leave little notes in the fee packets they've left on my windshield.  This year I bought the "golden eagle" from the USFS -- so there shouldn't be any confusion from the USFS parking rangers.  For National parks -- it shouldn't be a problem since the ranger is at the gate where you can talk to them as you enter.<br><br>The "fee demo" program created by congress is pretty bogus -- particularly considering how cheap the USFS sells "grazing rights" in parts of the west -- but considering how much money the US goverment extracts from my paycheck to finance bombing middle eastern countries -- $65 per year to support recreational access to National Parks and Forests is the least of my annoyances with our GOVT.<br><br>Also FWIW I got one of those $50 parking tickets about three years ago and only reciently paid it off (at the original $50 -- no interest or penalties) I don't think much would have come of it if hadn't paid it -- but I got bored with the monthly phone calls from a low-level attorney from the US attorney's office after awhile. Wow now there is a job that sucks!!!<br>

Maybe just pull your license plates when you park then they don't have a way to give you a ticket. That, or cover them up with some sort of bag/lock so they can't view the plate numbers. Would be funny to see their frustrated look on their face. Right now I'm driving around a new rig with no plates, just the paper temporary. Guess I could get away with parking in the forest for now, who knows.

Maybe just pull your license plates when you park then they don't have a way to give you a ticket........

<br> Oopsie, don't forget to pour acid on the vehicle VIN number on your dash . <br>

I haven't paid three of these tickets (a couple of years ago). My plan is to make it as difficult or/and expensive for the government to collect on these fines. I want the forest service pass system to fail. <br><br>Doing my part, voting by direct action and I hope thousands of people are doing the same. I will not buy any passes or pay any fines until it becomes overly burdensome, and that will take a lot.<br><br>The timber companies close off the commercial timber lands to the public and the government charges to use the public land. I've had enough...

<br> Oopsie, don't forget to pour acid on the vehicle VIN number on your dash . <br>

<br><br><br>These are park rangers. Do you really think they would try to write down a vin number or even know where to find one?

Geez folks, give the poor rangers a break.  The ones I've spoken with have been nice people who have found a way to work in the outdoors.  I doubt that issuing citations is on the top of their list of fun things to do.  It probably falls in line right after maintaining rancid outhouses.<br><br>You know they'd be the first people you'd seek out if you were to get into any trouble out there.  And they would help you!<br><br>I guess we just don't like the idea of authority figures entering our backcountry fantasies, what with their badges and ticket books.  But clearly that's not all that they do.<br><br>Yes, taxes and fees are a pain, but $65 to cover all of that for a year is not outrageous even for the less well off.  For those of us who choose to spend our hard earned dollars on skiing, the fees add up to less than two days of lift tickets, or a third of a pair of Fritschis...  I consider it a cost of doing business, like any other piece of equipment.<br><br>Personally, I'm happy to pay a few bucks for a pass and to know that the parking areas are being patrolled.  With all the car prowls and vadalism that occur out there it's nice to think the criminals might at least have a little bit of fear in them.