Mult-use / XC Ski Trail etiquette

One of our favorite places to XC ski in our local area is Oakley Corners State Forest (NYS). It's a multi-use area, popular for hiking, MTB riding, trail running, fishing, hunting…there is even a snowmobile trail through one part of it (part of the regional network).

I've noticed in the past few years that hikers and runners don't seem to care if they hike/run in the XC ski trail/track. This is an area where the skiers set the track - there is no grooming. I've always thought that basic trail etiquette is that hikers and runners should not trample the XC track.

What do you think? Is that normal etiquette? Or is that only at area that are more specifically designated for XC skiing? Is it expecting too much to think that the local runners and hikers will respect the very short window of skiing opportunity we have here and not destroy the track?

It's not a huge deal when conditions are soft and fluffy, but once they run in the track and it thaws and freezes it's almost impossible to ski. Or certainly no fun to ski it at least.

I"ve thought about talking to the local running club and having a dialog with them to get their perspective and see how we can all share the trails and make it enjoyable for everyone. I wouldn't want to prohibit running if they like to run in the snow, but it would be nice to preserve the ski trail whenever possible.

I don't know the answer.

I do think non-skiers will never comprehend the buzz kill of shoes in skis tracks.

I agree it's a pain in the ass!  I've ridden(mtb) Oakley Corners and basically your skiing on hiking/biking trails.  I don't see it changing  any time soon.   It's the same where I ski locally.  Its a multi use area and almost never are my tracks untouched even a day later.  I doubt even if it were a designated ski trail, it would be any better.  

Proper etiquette would be, don't walk or run in ski tracks.  Mohonk Preserve has signs all over the place admonishing people not to walk unless they have snowshoes, but there's no enforcement.  The tracks I put in in the my local parks get demolished, mainly because the suburbanites don't know better.  Interesting how I see snowshoe tracks alongside ski tracks, and the boot hikers or runners are right in the ski tracks.

Snowshoes designed for trail running are hardly better than running with shoes alone.