Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands

USDA Forest Service
Pike & San Isabel
National Forests
Cimarron & Comanche
National Grasslands
2840 Kachina Drive
Pueblo, CO 81008
719-553-1400

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
719-553-1404

GENERAL INFORMATION

Varied terrain, magnificent scenery, and vast reaches of wild country await the hiker on the Pike and San Isabel National Forests. The Forest trail system provides numerous opportunities from short day hikes to extended backpacking trips. Visitors should be aware that trails may not be well marked, and should carry a map and compass, and know how to use them.

With the freedom that hiking and backpacking offer comes the responsibility to care for the environment and to respect the rights of other users. The complex ecological relationships of our wildlands can easily be upset or even destroyed by the careless recreationists. Once damaged, some fragile soils and plants may not recover in our children's lifetime. If our wildlands are to exist for future generations to enjoy, we recommend that the people using the National Forests adopt and teach to others the backcountry ethic of "Leave No Trace".

BACKCOUNTRY TRAVEL

Travel quietly in the backcountry. Quiet hiking improves the chance of seeing wildlife and respects others seeking solitude.

Wear "earth colors" to lessen your visual impact, especially if traveling in a group. During hunting season a blaze orange hat and vest are advisable for your personal safety.

Stay on the designated path when hiking existing trails. Shortcutting a switchback or avoiding a muddy trail by walking in the grass creates unnecessary erosion and multiple paths. In the spring, travel across snow and rocks as much as possible; high mountain plants and soil are especially susceptible to damage during thaw. On the tundra, try to step on rocks instead of plants. The plants here take many years to grow and many more years to regenerate.

If you choose a route without trails, do not mark trees, build rock piles or leaves messages in the dirt. A group should spread out rather than walk one behind the other (especially in tundra or meadow areas). Ten people tramping in a row can crush plants beyond recovery and create channels for erosion.

Hike and camp in small groups, especially during off-trail travel. In case of sickness or injury one person can stay with the victim while two people go for help. Breaking your group into smaller units to reduce visual impact and won't damage backcountry sites.

If hiking with a dog make sure that he is under control at all times. Never allow him to chase wildlife. Watch the wildlife from a distance, you are in their home now.

Pick up any litter along the route. Have one pocket of your pack available for trash.

Avoid removing items of interest (rocks, flowers, wood or antlers). Leave these in their natural state for others to see and enjoy. Leave archeological and historical remains undisturbed and encourage others to do the same.

Camp at least 200 feet away from water sources and trails to prevent water pollution and preserve riparian areas. If other parties are close to where you want to camp, move on or choose your campsite so that terrain features insure, privacy. Take a little time to seek out a more secluded area. It will increase your privacy and that of other visitors.

Use existing campsites whenever possible, in order to reduce human impact. If selecting a new campsite, choose a site on sandy terrain or the forest floor rather than the lush but delicate plant life of meadows, stream banks, fragile alpine tundra, and other areas that can be easily damaged.

Arrange the tents throughout the campsite to avoid concentrating activities in the cooking area. Do not build any fire rings or structures at your campsite.

Don't cut boughs and poles, clear vegetation or ditch around your tent. If you do end up clearing the sleeping area of twigs or pine cones, scatter these items back over the campsite before you leave.

Use a portable gas stove for cooking. It is cleaner, quicker, and leaves no impact. If you must build a fire, please keep your fires small and do not build a fire ring. Use an old campfire scar rather than make a new one. Burn only small dead and down wood, collected a distance from the campsite. Make sure the fire is out by drowning it with water. Before you leave always make sure that your fire is dead out and the ashes and rocks scattered.

DISPOSING OF HUMAN WASTE

Proper disposal of human waste is most important in order to protect the natural character and water sources of the area.

By taking the following steps, you can insure rapid decomposition of organic wastes:

-Dig a hole 8-10 inches in diameter and no deeper than 6-8 inches.
Keep the sod intact if possible. Stay at least 200 feet from any open water.

-After use, fill the hole with loose soil and then tramp in the sod.

-Natural organisms within the soil will decompose the material within a few days.

HORSES AND HIKERS

While hiking in the Pike and San Isabel National Forest there is a good possibility you will be sharing the trail with other parties on horseback. Be considerate as horses may be frightened by backpacking equipment. Allow horses plenty of room to pass. Everyone in your group should stand to one side of the trail. The downhill side of the trail is usually best. Avoid sudden movement as the horses pass and you may want to talk quietly to make the horses aware of your presence.

LEAVE NO TRACE CAMPING AND TRAVEL

In years past, we used to speak of wilderness as the ability of man to survive the wilderness. Now, we speak of the ability of the wilderness to survive man.

What can we all do to be sure our public lands will survive our use? Practice "Leave No Trace" in the backcountry. Leave your site in such a condition that others would not realize you've been there.

Practice the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace:

• 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

For more information on the principles of Leave No Trace ethics, visit http://www.lnt.org