Mark's Question:
Who yields the right of way on trails, the person going uphill or down? Where is this rule stated most authoritatively?

— Mark

Karen's Answer:
Mark,

	Karen Berger Karen is a hiker's hiker. She has finished the Appalachian, Pacific Crest and Continental Divide Trails — making her one of the few who've completed hiking's"triple crown." Meet Karen Previous Answers Hiking Forums

Actually, Mark, I'm of the opinion that the fewer authoritatively stated “rules” we have the better. I'd much rather pause for a pleasant hello, step aside, and then keep going than argue about who has the “right of way.” And, in fact, no organization that I know of has a policy on the right of way among hikers — uphill, downhill, or flat.

Here's an area where common sense should prevail. Most responsible group leaders have their members yield to individual hikers. Groups can have a huge impact in the wilderness, and this kind of politesse goes a long way toward making everyone's backcountry experience more pleasant.

As far as the uphill-downhill thing is concerned, when I'm hiking uphill, I usually don't mind stepping aside and taking an extra gulp of air to let someone going downhill get past. If you're scampering downhill, and you see someone laboring uphill trying to maintain a rhythm, why not cut her some slack and step off the trail?

I guess the bottom line is, if you think you're stepping off the trail too often, then try a different (less crowded) trail. Honestly, in 15,000 miles or so of hiking, I've never found this to be an issue.