You may have noticed that there are a lot of people enjoying the wild spaces in Utah. A heck of a lot more than just a few years ago. Trails are more crowded, parking areas overflow onto the road, and garbage is stacked up in campsites. It seems that many of the folks recreating outside these days haven’t the first clue what Leave No Trace principles mean, or how to apply them to their adventure. We thought now would be a good time to share this guide, and decode each principle into simple terms that even rookie outdoorspeople can understand.
What are the Leave No Trace principles?
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
What do each of these principles mean? Here is a simple explanation for all seven.
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Proper planning prevents piss poor performance. A good plan is helpful no matter what you are doing in life, especially outdoor activities. Avoid the parking lot madness by planning trips for times when the area is less busy (i.e. maybe don’t go to Millcreek Canyon for your day hike on July 4th). Pack appropriate clothing by reading the weather report ahead of time. Have a detailed map of the area you are planning to visit. Know the local ranger and emergency numbers. Leave an itinerary for your family and friends back at home. All of this will help ensure your time outside won’t be wasted by dealing with issues that could have been avoided with a little planning.
Travel and camp on durable surfaces
Or to put it another way, stay on the trail. If you do happen to venture off-piste, make sure you aren’t destroying the natural habitat. “Tip-toe on the crypto” as the desert lovers say. Camp at least 200 feet away from lakes and streams, and only camp in existing sites. The only one that wants to see your tent on the shore of that gorgeous lake except is you. No need to be an Instagram hero and ruin the view for everyone else. And for heaven’s sake don’t “improve” the campsite by stacking up rocks to create chairs or other conveniences; there’s simply no need to do this. Keep your group size within the specified limits of every area, and consider breaking up groups to minimize your impact on the land.
Dispose of waste properly
This is possibly the most important and most often violated principle in the lot. There’s not much worse than arriving at a beautiful destination to find that some slob has left their trash behind. Honestly, I’d love to punch these people right in the face for such transgressions. But since vigilante justice is frowned upon, try to do this:
- Pack it in, pack it out. Everything that you brought into the woods should be carried out with you
- Wash dishes and dispose of liquids at least 200’ away from lakes and streams
- Solid human waste should be buried in a hole at least 6” deep and then covered with rocks, sticks or other natural litter. Again, you should be 200” away from any water source any time you need to relieve yourself
- Follow guidelines for bagging human waste in areas that require it, and pack it out
- Try to choose products that are biodegradable, or at the very least have a minimal impact on the land
Leave what you find
You’ve probably heard this before “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.” Well, the saying is correct. The pottery shards you found at an old ruin are definitely awesome, and the next person to visit the area would like to see them as well. That sego lily would look pretty cool in your city garden, but please don’t dig it up and bring it home. Resist the urge to touch artifacts like arrowheads or pictographs. It’s also a good idea to check your boots, clothes and equipment before returning home to avoid bringing back any non-native species.
Minimize campfire impacts
Heed the advice of ol’ Smokey the Bear; only you can prevent forest fires. Keep your fire small. Any wood you can’t break by hand is too big for a backcountry campfire. Use approved rings and pans where they are required. When it’s time to leave, make sure the fire is out. A good rule of thumb is that if your coals are too hot to touch with your bare hands, then it’s too hot to leave. Soak it down with lots of water and kick some rocks over it for good measure.
Even better, don’t have a fire at all. Yeah, I know it sounds crazy but hear me out. I stopped having campfires in both the back and front country several years ago. Honestly, I don’t miss them at all. My truck, tent, and clothes don’t stink of smoke when I get home. I don’t have to walk away from camp to gaze at the stars. And I never have to worry that I’ll be the next idiot to start a major forest fire. It’s a very stress-free existence.
Respect wildlife
“Feed an animal, kill an animal” says the old adage. Many of us head into nature for the chance to see majestic creatures in their natural state. No need to upset them by approaching or trying to interact with them. Wild animals are best observed from a distance. A spotting scope or good pair of binoculars are great for this purpose, and that moose and her calf will be much happier if they don’t even know you saw them. Referring back to the quote, NEVER feed animals or leave food scraps behind. Animals that come to rely on being fed by visitors change their behavior and stand a good chance of perishing from hunger.
Also, if you can’t control your pet, don’t bring them. I’m sure it seems cute when Baxter chases a squirrel around, but imagine the terror that the animal is experiencing. Not cool, Baxter, not cool at all.
Be considerate of other visitors
Wait, there are other people out here, too? I am being sarcastic, of course, but it seems that a lot of folks just don’t get it. One of the biggest violations these days is music. No one wants to hear your sweet tunes, dude. Most of us want to hear the sounds of nature, not Van Halen. If you do have to jam out, put in your earbuds and keep it to yourself. Be courteous to others by practicing good trail etiquette. It’s pretty simple, really: do unto others and such.
There you have it, seven easy and logical principles to practice every time you head out into the wild places. If everyone who recreated outdoors could do their best to follow them, there would be a lot less frustration and way more enjoyment. If you see someone breaking these guidelines, rather than berate them try to educate them. If they are beyond reason, then it’s face punching time. Just kidding, that would probably break Leave No Trace rule #7.