The Principles of Leave No Trace
One thing you’ll hear about all the time in hiking and backpacking forums is Leave No Trace (LNT). Leave No Trace is all about how to reduce the human impact on nature. While it may sound counter-intuitive to “leave no trace” as you’re walking on a man-made trail that most certainly left a trace, hear me out. The principles of Leave No Trace are important to follow to reduce our impact further and to keep our trails clean.
A quick rundown of the principles of Leave No Trace:
Be prepared
Hike and camp on hard surfaces/existing trails and campsites
Properly dispose of waste
Leave what you find in nature
Limit campfires
Keep wildlife wild
Be mindful of others
Be Prepared
Being prepared means anything from knowing the weather forecast to having the 10 essentials with you all the way to being prepared to spend an unexpected night out if you get lost on the trail. This also means having proper attire and planning for the unexpected. Research goes a long way here and calling a local park ranger is a good place to start when going somewhere unfamiliar. Practice good safety habits as well to abide by the first principle of LNT.
Hike and Camp on Hard Surfaces
Stay on the trail as much as possible. This minimizes damage to fragile ecosystems and keeps trails in top condition. If a trail is muddy, walk through the mud. Going off-trail to avoid inconveniences such as mud or a fallen limb widens the trail and ultimately damages the landscape. If a bathroom break prompts going off-trail, try and walk on rocks to minimize the damage done to the ecosystems on the forest floor.
Similarly, opt to camp in established campsites whenever possible. In the backcountry an established campsite will be a hardened area that looks like many people have camped there. Oftentimes these aren’t as “grammable” as popping a tent in a wide-open meadow but you can sleep well knowing you are following the regulations of the area you’re in. An important note on campsites though is the proximity to water. Each forest/wilderness/public land area has restrictions on how close you can camp to water. This is to protect the water from contaminants which protect both humans and wildlife. Be prepared and know the regulations.
Properly Dispose of Waste
Yes, this includes poop too. For human waste, some areas require that you pack out (yes, carry out in a bag or can) your bodily waste. Research the specifics- are you’re planning to visit for this type of restriction. In places where you don’t need to carry it out, you need to dig a hole (aka cathole) that is 6 inches deep, cover it, and disguise the hole. There are so many stories that come with defecating in the woods. Know that at some point you will miss the hole.
Other than poop, you need to pack out all other waste including toilet paper, apple cores, and banana peels. While food bits seem like they are compostable they are not native to the area and wildlife can be harmed by these things lying around even if you are just trying to feed the worms. The worms have plenty of food, I assure you. Pack out all of your trash and food scraps.
Leave What You Find
I know you will want to take the awesome feather you found with you as a memento of your trip. It seems harmless but it is best practice to leave nature in nature. Leaving what you find also means not carving into rocks or trees, leaving plants intact (no flower picking!), and leaving rocks where you find them (no cairns, please!). Take a photo, draw the scenery, write a poem to take in what you see but please let nature be.
Limit Campfires
This one is HUGE. Humans start wildfires every year by thinking they put out the campfire (if it’s hot to the touch it isn’t out) or by sparks of a campfire hitting the bush and lighting it on fire. Keep campfires in pre-made fire rings and don’t create new ones. Before your trip, check for any fire restrictions as they are common. If you’re cooking with a stove, you’ll also need to check to make sure the type is permissible under the fire restrictions for similar reasons. Burn wood you purchased or found locally to prevent the spread of plant illnesses and parasites. And, above all else, make sure your fire is completely out before you turn your back to it. Get enough water to drench the fire prior to starting it. All it takes is a breeze to turn your campfire into a forest fire.
Keep Wildlife Wild
Do not approach wildlife with yourself or with drones. Bears, moose, elk, and all of the other wildlife are equally majestic as they are dangerous and should be admired from afar. Limiting interaction keeps the wildlife from becoming used to human interaction and ultimately it keeps them alive. On those same lines, practice proper food storage. There’s a saying “a fed bear is a dead bear” and it’s absolutely true. As bears gain access to human food their behavior becomes aggressive and the bear either has to be tranquilized and relocated or euthanized. These types of things are due to human error and can be avoided by being aware of human interaction with wildlife.
Be Mindful of Others
There is such a thing as hiking etiquette and right of way on the trail. Past knowing who should yield in a given situation, you can be mindful of others by not playing music out loud and instead opting for earphones. Another often overlooked way to abide by principle 7 is by obeying pet regulations and keeping your pet leashed when required. Leash regulations are probably the most common thing violated on the trails in Colorado and everyone says “don’t worry my dog is friendly.” The rules aren’t there because the government is afraid your dog isn’t friendly, it’s there because not every dog is and if your dog is attacked while off-leash in a leash-required area you are liable. It also is for your dog’s protection against wildlife (bears hate dogs and mountain lions love them for other reasons) and other uses on the trail. In a dog vs. mountain bike accident, you’ll be rushing to the nearest Vet ER.
While the principles of Leave No Trace are not explicitly law, a version of the principles can be found as a regulation in nearly any hiking, camping, or backpacking location. Past having guiding principles, Leave No Trace is an organization that is dedicated to outdoor education. They have a membership that comes with some awesome gear discounts. Give their site a look through. You might just learn something new!
