Public Land Access Question- River Access

[cbond3318]

So in a discussion with a co worker we got to talking about a section of public land surrounded on 3 sides by private and on the 4th side is the river with railroad tracks following the river's edge. There is a belief that the section of land would only be legal to access  by public road and since there is none, the land is inaccessible. I am of the understanding you would be able to access this from the river but, assume you would be trespassing on railroad property once you left your boat and until you left their easement.

Any thoughts?

[Odell]

If it were me, I would do it. Access by the river. I would also be ok with the fact that you might get ticketed but to me its a crime to make public land without easement. The railroads stole ton of land from citizens. Lets start taking it back.   

[Bob33]

Other than your odds of being caught, there is no difference. You would be trespassing regardless of which direction you accessed the private land from.

[cbond3318]

For clarification I have no desire to hunt this land. Simply conversation but, if I were too, I would not attempt  access from the private land side. Riverside access, not sure I would worry about it. 

[cbond3318]

Other than your odds of being caught, there is no difference. You would be trespassing regardless of which direction you accessed the private land from.

The land discussed is public land surrounded by private and the river.

[CP]

Ask permission to cross the private land.

[cbond3318]

I guess the broad clarification for me is, does the railroad consider it trespassing to cross, walk on, sit and fish etc... along their embankment ? I just don't see how the railroad can hem up 100's miles of shoreline and consider it trespassing to be on it....

[whitey]

I guess the broad clarification for me is, does the railroad consider it trespassing to cross, walk on, sit and fish etc... along their embankment ? I just don't see how the railroad can hem up 100's miles of shoreline and consider it trespassing to be on it....

$10,000.00 fine and up to one year in jail is what they told me when I went to cross the un signaled track to swim my dog.
I said Thanks and left. They have gotten serious about it.
On that note! access via the river to hunt. They will have a tough time getting to you and an even tougher time trying to figure out if indeed you did even cross the tracks

[cbond3318]

What is the railroad's ownership easement? 50' each way of center?

[Bob33]

Other than your odds of being caught, there is no difference. You would be trespassing regardless of which direction you accessed the private land from.

The land discussed is public land surrounded by private and the river.

Yes, but you indicated that you must cross private land to get to the public land. That would be trespass.

[cbond3318]

Other than your odds of being caught, there is no difference. You would be trespassing regardless of which direction you accessed the private land from.

The land discussed is public land surrounded by private and the river.

Yes, but you indicated that you must cross private land to get to the public land. That would be trespass.

Gotchya..

[Bob33]

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Rail/TrainSafety.htm

Never trespass or cross tracks illegally. Railroad tracks are private property, not public trails. It's illegal and dangerous to walk on or near tracks unless you're using a designated crossing. It's also illegal and extremely dangerous (and DUMB) to drive around closed crossing gates or to ignore flashing warning lights. Trains travel in both directions on all tracks—so it's impossible to predict which direction a train will approach from.

[Skyvalhunter]

Special agents with the railroad will issue you at fine ticket.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Sure wish they would in force this with all the wind surfers illeagly crossing tracks to access the Columbia River.

[wreckerman5288]

If I wanted to hunt this public land I would walk across the railroad easment unless there was railroad personnel working near by. I understand that it is not legal but considering you are not going to harm a single thing and the risk of being caught is very low I would do it if the hunting is right on said piece of public land.