Take only photographs and leave only footprints. We’ve all heard the mantra. Well, in honor of Earth Day, and regardless of your chosen outdoors pursuit, it’s time to walk the talk. Here are some tips from backcountry rangers with the Sawtooth National Forest and the Leave No Trace organization.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
– Limit your riding to durable surfaces. A properly ridden bicycle has almost no effect on a packed, well-designed dirt trail.
– Riding in mud is bad. Your bike carries more of it away, digs deeper into the earth, and can create big gouges and speed up the process of erosion. If you do come upon a muddy spot, walk across it. Don’t ride to the side, which will widen the trail.
– You can ride through a stream if the bottom has a rocky or sandy surface.
– Ride in the center of even the narrowest single-track trail. If you ride the edges, you contribute to wear that eventually will widen the trail.
– If you approach something you can’t ride through, such as a big log, waterbar or tough rock field, get off your bike and walk across.
– Don’t create new trail markers, cairns or other signposts unless you’re part of an approved trail crew.’
HORSEBACK RIDING
– Move waste off the trail. Do not let your horse do its thing near any water sources or campsites.
– Hold horses 200 feet from lakes, streams and camping areas.
– Stay on established trails and areas open for horse use.
– Don’t cut switchbacks or take shortcuts; doing so can destroy vegetation and cause others to use the unauthorized route.
– Whenever possible, use existing campsites designated for horses.
– Avoid damaging vegetation when tethering horses.
– Do not tie horses to trees, small limbs, saplings or shrubs. Use a highline for tethering.
– Use yards, paddocks or hitching rails where provided.
– Use the proper feed for your stock animals.
NATURE’S CALL
– Use established outhouses when available.
– If no toilets are available, dig a hole at least 6 inches deep that is at least 200 feet away from all water sources, campsites and trails. Cut a divot out of the soil. When you are finished put the divot back in place. Do not dig a group latrine.
– Burning toilet paper, when done carelessly, can result in wildfires and is not recommended. In popular areas, toilet paper should be packed out in double plastic bags with a lockable closure.
– Car campers using undeveloped campsites should use a port-a-potty and dispose of the contents in an RV dump. River runners should pack out human waste.
– Carry out all plastic or cotton feminine hygiene products. Do not bury them.
OTHER STUFF
– Leave stones, artifacts, shells, petrified wood and other stuff you find so that others may enjoy them.
– Do all you can to prevent the spread of non-native plants and species when camping or boating. Make sure any seeds or seed pods aren’t attached to your boots, tents or other gear. Clean your waders and boat.
HIKING
– Stay on designated trails and walk in single file in the center of the path.
– Don’t take shortcuts on switchbacks. It creates new trails and erosion.
– Stay off trails when they are muddy or wet. If you come upon a section of muddy trail, hike through it. If you walk around the mud, the trail will widen, lose its single-track characteristics and become a bigger muddy area.
– If you’re traveling cross-country, hike on durable surfaces — such as rock, sand, gravel, snow or dry needles — to prevent vegetation damage and erosion. Avoid meadows.
– If you’re in a group, spread out if you’re off-trail so that new trails aren’t created.
– Navigate with a map, compass or GPS. Don’t leave ribbons or rock cairns as markers. Tree blazes are not allowed.
– Wear as light a boot as possible for the conditions. Heavy boots with deep treads compact the soil more and tend to tear up trails.
– Pick up trash that others may have missed or that was dropped by accident.
CAMPING
BEFORE YOU GO
– Plan ahead and know the regulations in the area you will visit.
– Don’t visit an area during high-use times.
– Repackage your food in smaller Ziploc plastic bags to prevent waste and more garbage. Dried backpack meals that allow you to eat out of the container, and boil-in-the-bag meals reduce the number of dishes and pans you have to wash at camp.
– Take any new camping gear out of the package before going to the mountains.
– Carpool to the recreation area and conserve on fuel.
WHEN CAMPING
– When you can, choose a location that others can’t see very well.
– Know in advance where campsites can be found on the trail. Consult a guidebook or other experts.
– Respect areas that are off-limits to camping. They may be closed because of vegetation rehabilitation.
– Camp in established spots so you won’t beat down vegetation in other areas.
– Camp 200 feet away from a water source.
– Use biodegradable soap sparingly and never in streams or lake. Do all of your washing at least 200 feet away from all fresh water supplies. Better yet, use alternatives to soap for washing, such as unscented baby wipes. You can avoid dish soap and just wash your dishes in hot water for a few days out on the trail.
– If your wastewater contains food particles, filter them out in a kitchen strainer and put the residue in the trash.
– Broadcast the remaining water in an area away from any campsites.
CAMPSITE ETIQUETTE
– Pack out what you pack in.
– Keep your gear and clothing off branches, bushes and rocks, and keep your equipment organized and packed away as much as possible.
– Choose gear items that use natural, subdued colors rather than bright, easy-to-spot ones.
– Camp and travel in small groups. They are quieter and do less damage.
– Don’t crowd other campers unless no other choice exists. Don’t set up your tent in a spot that spoils a view other people came to see.
– Keep trash stored in refuse bags. If you leave it on the ground to pick up later the wind might blow it away or a critter may leave with it.
– Keep noise to a minimum, especially after sunset. Talk in a normal voice at all times, and leave your radios at home.
– If you do bring a pet, keep it on a leash and under control at all times. This includes barking.
– Pick a sleeping spot that is already flat. Don’t dig or scrape the ground to smooth it out. Do not build trenches around your tent.
CAMPFIRES
– In campgrounds and other recreation sites, build fires only in fire rings or grills. In undeveloped areas where fires are permitted, use an existing fire ring if possible. If you have to build one, dismantle it when you are done.
– Build your fire on a fire blanket or in a fire pan if there isn’t a fire ring.
– Use dead wood lying on the ground. Don’t cut live trees or break off limbs from standing trees, even if they’re dead.
– Collect firewood far away from your site to leave the site looking as natural as possible.
– Use small wood. Thick pieces rarely burn through and are left behind. Move embers to the fire’s center to burn them completely.
– Burn pieces of trash only if they can be fully consumed by fire and turned to ash. Do not attempt to burn plastic, cans or foil.
– Make certain your fire is dead out. Drown it with water, stir and drown again. You should be able to put your hand in the ashes.
– Pack out any trash found in your fire pit. Take any of the charcoal pieces left inside your ring and carry them away from your site. Crush the chunks, then scatter the remnants and dust throughout a broad area. Bring a trash pack for recyclables.
CAMPFIRE ALTERNATIVES
– Use a fire pan on river trips.
– Use a fire blanket when backpacking.
– Instead of using a fire, do all your cooking on a gas stove.
– Use a candle lantern or gas lantern for light instead of building a campfire.
WILDLIFE
– Store your food properly to avoid confrontations with animals.
– Respect wildlife and observe animals from a distance.
– Never feed animals.
– Don’t camp near a watering hole. Wildlife may avoid the water they need.
