• Say Hello

    SAFE TRAILS. We’re all here to enjoy the beauty,
    adventure and wilderness of Marin’s public lands.
    Turns out, we have a lot in common. Whether
    you’re on foot, hooves or wheels, slow and say
    “hello” when you pass fellow travelers.
    We all deserve safe trails.
    Be a partner. Spread the word!

  • Say Hello

    SAFE TRAILS. We’re all here to enjoy the beauty,
    adventure and wilderness of Marin’s public lands.
    Turns out, we have a lot in common. Whether
    you’re on foot, hooves or wheels, slow and say
    “hello” when you pass fellow travelers.
    We all deserve safe trails.
    Be a partner. Spread the word!

  • Say Hello

    SAFE TRAILS. We’re all here to enjoy the beauty,
    adventure and wilderness of Marin’s public lands.
    Turns out, we have a lot in common. Whether
    you’re on foot, hooves or wheels, slow and say
    “hello” when you pass fellow travelers.
    We all deserve safe trails.
    Be a partner. Spread the word!

How We Impact Marin’s Trails

.........................

Trail Safety.

WALKERS+HIKERS+
JOGGERS
EQUESTRIANS
MOUNTAIN BIKERS

  • SHARING THE TRAIL

    Stay alert. Be on the lookout for faster trail users – bikers, runners, and equestrians.

    Allow room for others to pass. If necessary, walk in single file and don’t block the trail.

    Yield to horses. All trail users are expected to yield to equestrians.

    Train your dog to be accustomed to trail walking and other trail users.

    Control your dog and obey 6-foot leash law where required.

    SAFE COMMUNICATION

    Don’t tune out. Wear only one ear bud so you can hear others coming.

    Avoid startling other trail users. If you are a runner, make your presence known, particularly when approaching from behind.

    Say “hello!” to approaching bikers. Let them know when and how it’s safe for them to pass.

    Ask for an equestrian’s direction to pass. Stop, stay visible, and ask the rider if it is okay to pass. Your voice says you’re a human, not a predator.
     
     

  • Sharing The Trail

    Yield when it’s safer to do so. All other trail users are expected to yield to equestrians, but sometimes it’s safer to yield to others.

    Pass Slowly. Horses can be intimidating to others.

    Train your horse to be accustomed to trail riding and other trail users.

    Stay calm. It helps your horse remain calm.

    SAFE COMMUNICATION

    Pay attention to your horse. He will hear and sense others before you do. Call out, “I’m on a horse; please say ‘hello.’”

    Direct others how to pass. Others may be unfamiliar with horses and horse safety, so take the lead to direct a safe passing.

    Help others to act safely. Ask them to move to the downhill side of the trail so you can pass; horses perceive upslope creatures to be predators.

    Look ahead, look behind. Be alert to other trail users behind as well as ahead so you can help others act safely around your horse.

     

  • Sharing The Trail

    Yield to all other trail users. If you’re riding downhill, you should also yield to uphill cyclists.

    Obey speed rules. Obey the 15 mph speed limit, and maintain control of your bike; slow to 5 mph when approaching other users and blind turns.

    Expect to encounter others moving slowly. Always reduce your speed and stop if necessary for safe passing.

    Move to the side of the trail when passing on narrow trails. Stop, if necessary before passing.

    SAFE COMMUNICATION

    Don’t tune out. Wear only one ear bud so you can hear others coming.

    Avoid startling other trail users. Make your presence known, particularly when approaching from behind. Bells help at a distance, but your voice is better.

    Ask for an equestrian’s direction to pass. When you approach an equestrian, stop and say “hello!”, stay visible, and ask the rider if it’s okay to pass. Your voice tells a horse you are human, not a predator.

Say Hello and put yourself in my shoes

Resource
Protection.

YOU ARE A VISITOR IN WILDLIFE’S HOME.

  • ENJOY YOUR EXPERIENCE!

    Tune in to nature and your surroundings.
    Be aware of the wildlife that surrounds you.
    Dogs and wildlife don’t mix! Have fun with your dog but always be in control.

  • APPRECIATE THE BEAUTY!

    Stay on designated trails to avoid damaging rare plants and sensitive habitats in grasslands, wetlands, streams, and woodlands.
    “Leave no trace!” Pack out your trash and dog waste.

  • PROTECT PARK RESOURCES!

    Close any gates you open after you pass through.
    Be alert for, and avoid, small creatures on the trail.
    Keep off wet roads and trails. Deep tracks or prints mean it’s too wet and damages the trail. Today’s erosion is tomorrow’s stream pollution.

Legacy

Events

Slow and Say Hello! Outposts Dates and locations:

Slow and Say Hello! Summer Outpost Schedule 

Test your trail etiquette knowledge and learn how to tread lightly in our parks and open space preserves at Slow & Say Hello! trailhead outposts this summer.

2024 SCHEDULE

April
Saturday, 4/6 Lake Lagunitas (MMWD Watershed)
Saturday, 4/13 Pantoll Station (Mt. Tamalpais State Park)

May
Saturday, 5/18 Rodeo Valley Trail at Bunker Rd. Marin Headlands (Sausalito)
Saturday, 5/25 Mt. Burdell (Novato)

June
Saturday, 6/8 White Hill Trail at Brown Bridge (Fairfax)
Saturday, 6/22 Ponti Ridge Trail (Marinwood)

July
Saturday, 7/13 Phoenix Lake (Ross)
Saturday, 7/20 Golden Gate Dairy Stables (Muir Beach)

August
Saturday, 8/3 China Camp State Parks (San Rafael)
Saturday, 8/17 Buzzard Barn at Indian Valley Fire Road (Novato)
Saturday, 8/31 Mission Pass/Fawn Dr/Fox Lane. (San Anselmo)

September
Saturday, 9/7 Ember Stomp (Civic Center)
Sunday, 9/15 PorchFest San Rafael
Saturday, 9/28 Phoenix Lake (Ross)

***All outposts will be set up from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm***

Volunteer

Trail Partners would love your help to disperse our Say Hello campaign materials and man our trailhead outposts. Volunteer opportunities include:

Distributing our Say Hello brochure to local land managers, sporting goods stores, bike shops, etc. Information »

Trail Ambassadors at future events TBD to share our campaign message. Sign Up Today.

About Us

Trail Partners is a collaboration of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, the Marin Horse Council and the Marin Conservation League.

Our Common Goals are Trail Safety and Resource Protection.

We are supported by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Marin County Parks & Open Space, California State Parks, Marin Municipal Water District, and Point Reyes National Seashore.

Join us in our efforts to create and maintain safe trails and a healthy ecosystem for future generations to also enjoy, appreciate and protect. Volunteer. Donate.

Download our brochure.