Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

LEAVE NO TRACE

Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors by all people, worldwide.

Leave No Trace Video – created with the Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Outdoor Opportunity (O2) program, explores the seven principles of Leave No Trace.  Youth shot the video in the Snow Lake area on the Snoqualmie Ranger District.

View "Leave No Trace" video

7 Principles of Leave No Trace

Plan ahead and be prepared
Preparation is crucial not only to a safe and successful outing. Repackage food before leaving on a trip to limit the amount of waste.

Parties should always be aware of area regulations and prepare for extreme weather and hazards.

Camp and travel on durable surfaces
Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel or snow. When traveling below the glaciers, parties are required to camp only in established or designated areas.

Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from streams and lakes.

Dispose of waste properly
If you pack it in, pack it out. Parties should leave absolutely nothing on the mountain. Human waste is a very serious problem on the forest. Never bury it in the snow. The preferred method for disposing of human waste is in blue bags that can be thrown away once off the forest. These bags are available at Forest Service offices.

Leave what you find
The National Forest and Wilderness Areas should be left as they are found.

Minimize campfire impacts
Campfires are prohibited on most trails. It is recommended to use self-contained camp stoves.

Respect wildlife
Never feed wildlife you encounter. Be sure that food supplies, garbage, cooking gear and toiletries are properly stored at all times. Animals can make a mess of unprotected food and, in turn, make a mess of the forest.

Be considerate of other visitors
Remember, your party is not the only one to use the forest. Respect other visitors and protect their forest experience.