Gunnison Country Cybershopper

Summer is here, bringing thousands of people to the area toting everything from fishing rods, to lawn chairs, and enjoying themselves on horseback, ATV's, and river rafts. This backcountry user would like to convey some information that not only will make your trip more enjoyable for you, but also for the many that will follow you.

Consider 1^st of all: Everything that each of us does has a direct impact on the surroundings, and will continue to impact in a vicious circle, coming back to haunt us whether we want it or not. For example: I drove around a mud hole one day several years ago, and upon re-visiting that same area a few weeks later I was astounded to see a short road made by people who followed my lead! My action came back to me as an ugly scar that remained for two years, and I had to face it ashamed every time I drove up that way.

Many things we thoughtlessly do have impacts we will likely never see in person, but is of grave consequence nonetheless. A cigarette butt tossed from a river raft for instance, is out of sight in a flash as far as we are concerned, yet we are not around to see that prized big fish we had hoped to catch, starving to death because the butt is caught in his throat! That one really did get away.

I threw out these two examples to get your wheels turning, and hopefully get us on the "same page" in our thinking. Below are some things I've listed that will help negate our impact so we may enjoy those favorite spots again, and again.

Some of these things are out and out regulations, and will be listed separately. I would appreciate your feedback on this page so I can make it better for all of us!

• If there is a fire ring there use it. Don't go making another one because you think the view stinks. Try looking at the view from someone else's perspective or walk away to see the view.
• When making a new fire ring try lining it with foil covered with dirt. Tear it down when you leave. Do you know that the fire creeps underground as much as 30 ft. in all directions from a pit over time?

• Stay on the roads and trails whenever possible while in route. Others will always follow your lead because they are just as lazy as the rest of us. Bicycles are hell on mud holes too! Get off and walk around it if you have to, but don't ride around the edge of it. You would be amazed at how fast it enlarges!

• Put those butts in your pocket. (it sounds disgusting, but so was my habit)
• Get your firewood at random, some distance away from the campsite. Breaking branches off the trees simply lends the tree to look like a "pine palm", and clearing the area underfoot of wood and duff, leaves nothing but mud for the next people to stand in. It also leads to exposing tree roots, which are not good for them.
• "Dawn" dish soap is biodegradable. Use it or another camping type soap. Throw away dish water in a scattered pattern, or find a nice unused gopher hole, which will disperse it. I use gopher holes mainly because of the bears. The hint of food smell will not travel to their noses as well, and they will not find my camp, therefore I sleep better. ***See new bear regulations in Rules
• Buy a 5 or 10 gallon refillable propane bottle! I am at war with the 1 pound non-refillable canisters! They are easy to pack into camp in the "Wally World" flat of 6, but once undone they are hell to pack out, so they get left at the camp or fill up landfills.
• If you simply must build structures for clothes drying, corrals, and such, use DEAD trees and lash them up with rope. Live trees will eventually grow around wire tied to them, and wire scars the trees forever. If you take two long 3-6 inch logs you can pinch them around 2 trees with rope and they will make a fine table.
• Keep track of your dogs! It won't be long before dogs will be outlawed on the national forest if we don't start being responsible for them.
• Pack It In/Pack It Out! This is one of the greatest slogans the USFS has ever coined! It says what it means for sure.
• Horse Use: Use high lines please! I can't even fathom the number of trees I must have ruined tying my horses to them, not to mention that horses love the freedom as opposed to being snubbed up to a tree for the night.

• Remember that you are not the only one out there! Multiple use will disappear if we don't get along, and you will be forced to practice your adventures where they tell you, not where you want to go. Horses and ATV's are two very contested uses. Pay attention to what you are doing with them!

• Camp 200 feet from water. In some places it is 100 feet, but you might as well stay at 200 to be within the rules.  At some lakes you are not allowed to camp within 1/4 mile of them. Many areas also have camping within designated campgrounds only as well. Check the maps!
• No unattended fires! Last year was a dry one in the Gunnison area and we were SO lucky that we did not have a major forest fire. Keep up the good work keep track of that camp fire!
• On this Gunnison Forest as well as the Grand Mesa and Uncompahgre Forests, there is a new bear encounter regulation. If you so much as leave out a cooler it is a ticket you will be paying. Any action that invites, or might invite bears to your camp will be viewed in dim light. A fed Bear is a dead bear and garbage kills bears! In Colorado they have a two strikes your out policy on bears...if they encounter human trash twice they are put to sleep.
• Many areas have designated roads only for travel with a motorized vehicle. Check out the maps! Wilderness areas are non-motorized/non-mechanical travel, and that  means no bicycles and hangliders as well. Foot and horse travel only.
• An often-unknown rule, but one that will keep everyone out of trouble: Horses and livestock have the right-of-way on all trails. However, if you are a horse user don't fail to get off the trail or road when you can. You are very intimidating to many folks and they to your stock.
• Know your guide's credentials. The Forest Service requires guides and outfitters, and the State of Colorado, to be licensed, insured, and bonded! Otherwise they are illegal.
• You can leave no permanent structures of any kind in Wilderness! This includes corrals!
• Leave all gates as you find them! If they are open leave them that way. If closed, leave them that way.
• You absolutely must to have permission to be on private property! That is your responsibility to know what is private, and what is not, even when not fenced or posted!
• HAVE FUN!!! (that is my rule)

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