Leave No Trace (backpacking info continued)
Each year Wilderness becomes more heavily used. Leave No Trace of your presence. These reminders may help you to leave no trace of your visit.
Camping: camp at least 100 feet from water and trails. Camping on previously used sites creates far less impact than camping on pristine sites. Camp on mineral soil, never in meadows or soft grassy areas that compact easily. Pick a place where you won't have to clear vegetation or level a tent site.
Campfires: use gas stoves to avoid the depletion of wood. If you do have a fire, use an existing fire ring at least 100 feet from water and trails. Use wood found on the ground that is no more than 1-3 inches in diameter.
Water Quality: lakes and streams can be contaminated even though they look and taste pure. The surest method of treatment to make water safe to drink is to boil it for 5 minutes. Other methods are filtering and/or using chemical disinfectants such as iodine or chlorine tablets or drops.
Sanitation: human feces left close to water or unburied can spread disease and contaminate drinking water. Bury fecal matter in a hole 6-10 inches deep, far from lakes, streams, and campsites--at least 100 feet (200 feet recommended). Pack out tampons, sanitary napkins, disposable diapers and any other refuse. Do not wash yourself, utensils, or clothing in lakes or streams. All soap, even biodegradable, pollutes lakes and streams. Carry a bucket of water at least 100 feet from water sources, wash, and then dispose of wash water in a hole. Fill the hole before breaking camp.
Garbage: carry out all unburned material. Do not bury food scraps; burn them completely or pack them out. Buried garbage attracts and may be harmful to animals. Clean fish far from water and campsites - at least 100 feet. Wherever possible, use refuse containers for all non-burnable waste.
Solitude: an important aspect of the wilderness experience is the quality of solitude, freedom from the intrusion of human sights, sounds and odors. To preserve this feature, please travel and camp in small groups, leaving firearms, radios, and pets at home. Respect the solitude of others by avoiding boisterous behavior and loud noises. Choose equipment that is not brightly colored or highly visible.
On the Trail: cutting across trail switchbacks causes soil erosion and trail damage. Staying on the trail is safer, easier, and saves trail maintenance costs. Please do not leave trail markers of any kind. Always give stock the right-of-way by moving well off the trail on the downhill side.