And The Crowd Goes Wild!!!

Have you ever witnessed a user created shortcut along trail switchbacks?  While these additional trails may look harmless, unnecessary erosion occurs, thereby damaging the actual trail.  In addition, vegetation alongside the trail, which may be home to sensitive wildlife habitats including plants and animals, gets trampled as the trail is widened.  Leave No Trace recommends to avoid cutting trail switchbacks as you travel along the established trail.  

Going up! The trail goes to the right, the shortcut to the left.

Leave No Trace is your one stop shop to learn more about why it is important to Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces.  Be like Bigfoot and Leave No Trace!

Respect the Resource...Kate and Tracy

Principle Blog Series: Part 2 of 7-Travel and Camp On Durable Surfaces

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces is the second of 7 Leave No Trace principles.  A durable surface is defined as one that is resistant and resilient to people traveling or camping upon it. Examples of durable surfaces are: rock, gravel, snow, sand, dry grass, and established trails/campsites. On the flip side, non-durable surfaces are more fragile and take longer to recover. Some examples are: wild flowers, meadows, steep slopes prone to slides (safety first!), cryptobiotic soil, and poison ivy/oak.

Consider these points when selecting terrain to hike and camp on:

• Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
• Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
In popular areas:
• Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
• Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
• Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
• In pristine areas:
• Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
• Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

Pop Quiz: Is MUD a durable or non-durable surface?

For more information on Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces, CLICK HERE.


Explore Responsibly...Kate and Tracy