2003 Revised Admin History – Part Three Chapter Ten Admin 1916-Present

6. Fees. — The fee for an automobile or motorcycle permit is $2.50 and is payable in cash only. The permit is good for the entire season, expiring on December 31 of the year of issue.

7. Distance apart; gears and brakes. — Automobiles while in motion must not be less than 50 yards apart, except for purpose of passing, which is permissible only on comparatively level or slight grades. All automobiles, except while shifting gears, must retain their gears constantly enmeshed. Persons desiring to enter the park in an automobile will be required to satisfy the ranger issuing the automobile permit that all parts of machine, particularly the brakes and tires, are in first-class working order and capable of making the trip, and that there is sufficient gasoline in the tank to reach the next place where it may be obtained. The automobile must carry at least one extra tire.

8. Speeds. — Speed is limited to 10 miles per hour, except on good roads with straight stretches, and when no team is nearer than 200 yards the speed may be increased to 20 miles per hour.

9. Horns. — The horn will be sounded on approaching curves or stretches of road concealed for any considerable distance by slopes, overhanging trees, or other obstacles, and before meeting or passing other machines, riding or driving animals, or pedestrians.

10. Lights. — All automobiles must be equipped with head and tail lights, the headlights to be of sufficient brilliancy to insure safety in driving at night and all lights must be kept lighted after dark when automobile is on the roads. Headlights must be dimmed when passing other automobiles or horse-drawn vehicles.

11. Muffler cut-outs. — Muffler cut-outs must be closed while approaching or passing riding horses, horse-drawn vehicles, hotels, camps, or checking stations.

12. Teams. — When teams, saddle horses, or pack trains approach, automobiles will take the outer edge of the roadway, regardless of the direction in which they may be going, taking care that sufficient room is left on the inside for the passage of vehicles and animals. Teams have the right of way, and automobiles will be backed or otherwise handled as may be necessary so as to enable teams to pass with safety. In no case must automobiles pass animals on the road at a speed greater than 8 miles an hour.

13. Accidents. — When, due to breakdowns or accidents of any other nature, automobiles are unable to keep going, they must be immediately parked off the road, or, where this is impossible, on the outer edge of the road.

14. Stop-overs. — Automobiles stopping over at points inside the park must be parked off the road, or, where this is impossible, on the outer edge of the road.

15. Reduced engine power, gasoline, etc. — Due to the high altitude of the park roads, ranging between 4,000 and 7,000 feet, the power of all automobiles is much reduced, so that about 40 per cent more gasoline will be required than for the same distance at lower altitudes. Likewise, one gear lower will generally have to be used on grades than would have to be used in other places. A further effect that must be watched is the heating of the engine on long grades, which may become serious unless care is used. Gasoline can be purchased at regular supply stations as per posted notices.

16. Fines and penalties. — Violation of any of the foregoing regulations for government of the park shall be punishable by revocation of automobile permit, by immediate ejectment from the park, or by a fine of not to exceed $500, or by any combination of the three, and be cause for refusal to issue new automobile permit to the owner without prior sanction in writing from the Secretary of the Interior.