It was heartbreaking to see ATV tracks at the top of Ptarmigan Pass over this Fourth of July weekend. At least five ATVs crossed through a fallen part of the old fence there, and proceeded into the grassy rise leading to the summit. They cut directly into the tundra vegetation leaving what will most certainly become permanent scars on the mountain side.

I reached the Forest Service whose jurisdiction this is. Being undermanned, they can do little to stop this kind of criminal activity. Were they to catch the culprits, the fine could amount to as much as $1,000. (To repair the damage done would probably cost a great deal more.)

Whoever is taking license to destroy the natural beauty of this area probably can't read. There is a sign indicating that motor vehicles of any kind are prohibited. The perpetrators don't care. If they did, they wouldn't destroy what brings wonderment and enjoyment to the others who make the climb either by foot, mountain bike, ATV or other motor vehicle. It's the old story of acting out privilege and “me-first.”

The tragedy is that there probably isn't anything anyone can do to stop the wanton destruction of these natural vistas. The average citizen, like myself, often doesn't witness the crime and might not take the risk to identify the offenders were they to do so. The Forest Service can't be everywhere at the same time. The only solutions are to try to educate an increasingly self-serving public, to make such acts so expensive that people will think twice before they do such an utterly despicable thing, or to close the trails and roads to all ATV traffic. Clearly something must be done and done soon, or there will be no mountain sides left to enjoy.