deserts and canyons · 2020. 10. 5. · sierra nevada southeast western river corridors. ... humans...

Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor EthicsPO Box 997

Boulder, Colorado 80306http://www.LNT.org

©Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics/National Outdoor Leadership SchoolLeave No Trace Skills & Ethics Series

Published 4/01

For more Leave No Trace information or to order materials,call1-800-332-4100 or visit www.LNT.org.

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DESERTS AND CANYONS

S K I L L S & E T H I C S

Volumes available in the Leave No Trace Skills and Ethics Series Alaska Wildlands

CavingDeserts and Canyons

FishingHorse Use

Lakes RegionMountain Biking

North AmericaNortheast Mountains

Pacific NorthwestRock Climbing

Rocky MountainsSea KayakingSierra Nevada

SoutheastWestern River Corridors

The Leave No Trace educational program promotes skillsand ethics to support the sustainable use of wildlands and natural areas. The concept originated in the U.S. as a way tohelp recreationists minimize their impacts while enjoying theoutdoors. In 1991, the U.S. Forest Service teamed with theNational Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and theBureau of Land Management as partners in the Leave NoTrace educational program. NOLS, a recognized leader inminimum-impact camping practices, became involved as theprovider of Leave No Trace materials and training.

Today, the non-profit organization The Leave No TraceCenter for Outdoor Ethics, established in 1994, manages thenational program. The Center unites four federal landmanagement agencies—the U.S. Forest Service, NationalPark Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish andWildlife Service—with manufacturers, outdoor retailers, user groups, educators, and individuals who share acommitment to maintain and protect our wildlands andnatural areas for future enjoyment.

Humans need to know about wildplaces, to experience them andunderstand the rhythms they follow.We need to contemplate our placewithin these wildlands, to discernwhat it is that draws us there. Weneed to carry with us an ethic thatrecognizes the value of wild places,and acknowledges our responsibilityto treat them with respect, and applygood judgement as we visit and travelwithin them. We need to care for wildplaces as if they were our homesbecause, in many ways, they are. To dothis is good for us, it’s good for thosewho will surely follow, and it’s goodfor the wild places, wherever theymay be found.

Contact land management agenciesand groups in your area and see howyou can help. Be active in the planningand management of areas that areimportant to you. Volunteer for trailclean ups and maintenance, habitatrestoration efforts, and public educa-tion programs, or organize them foryour local area. Get involved and letyour opinions on land use be known.Support wildlands and sustainablerecreation.

Information on obtaining LeaveNo Trace curriculum materials,courses and trainings is availableby calling 800-332-4100 or visitingthe extensive Leave No Tracewebsite: www.LNT.org.

A FINAL Challenge

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“A thing is right when it tends to preserve the

integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic

community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise”

—Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac

L E AV E N O T R AC E

O u t d o o r S k i l l s & E t h i c s

DESERTS A N D CANYONS

DESERTS AND CANYONS

DESERTS A N D CANYONS - 2 -

“The notion that [outdoor] recreation has no

environmental impacts is no longer tenable.” —Curtis H. Flather and H. Ken Cordell, Wildlife and Recreationists

People enjoy the outdoors in myr-iad ways. We explore on foot,kayak, horseback, mountain bicy-cles, skis, snowshoes, and cram-pons. There are more of us pushingour sports to greater extremes andinto more remote parts of the natur-al world everyday. Our experiencesare personally satisfying, but theycan be costly to the places we visitand the animals we observe.

America’s wildlands are diverseand beautiful. They can also be frag-ile. Polluted waters, displacedwildlife, eroded soils, and trampledvegetation are just some of theimpacts linked directly to recreation-al activities. Even our mere presencehas an influence. Considerable dam-age could be prevented if recreation-ists were better informed, especiallyabout Leave No Trace techniques.

This booklet is part of a national

educational program called Leave NoTrace which aims to be part of thesolution. At the heart of Leave NoTrace are seven principles for reduc-ing the damage caused by outdooractivities, particularly non-motorizedrecreation. Leave No Trace conceptscan be applied anywhere—in remotewilderness,city parks,even in ourown back-yards—andin anyrecreationalendeavor.

Leave NoTrace prin-ciples andpracticesextend common courtesy and hospi-tality to other wildland visitors andto the natural world of which we areall a part. They are based on an abid-ing respect for nature. This respect,coupled with good judgment andawareness, will allow you to applythe principles to your own uniquecircumstances.

We can act on behalf of the placesand wildlife that inspire us—indeserts and canyons and beyond.First, let’s educate ourselves andadopt the skills and ethics thatenable us to Leave No Trace.

At the heart of LNT

are seven principles

for reducing the

damage caused by

outdoor activities,

particularly non-

motorized recreation.


LNT O u t d o o r S k i l l s a n d E t h i c s

Principles of LEAVE NO TRACE

• Plan Ahead and Prepare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

• Dispose of Waste Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

• Leave What You Find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

• Minimize Campfire Impacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

• Respect Wildlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

• Be Considerate of Other Visitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Deserts and Canyons Wildland Ethic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

A Few Terms Defined . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Visitors to deserts and canyons might also beinterested in other booklets in the Leave NoTrace Outdoor Skills and Ethics series, includingMountain Biking, Rock Climbing, orWestern River Corridors editions.

To obtain these and other LeaveNo Trace curriculum materials, orfor information on courses andtrainings, call Leave No Trace, Inc.(800-332-4100) or visit the LeaveNo Trace website: www.LNT.org.

LNT O u t d o o r S k i l l s a n d E t h i c s LIBRARY

The southwestern regionof the continental UnitedStates is a magical land ofcanyons, sand dunes, moun-tains, deeply carved arroyos,pre-historic ruins, pic-tographs, petroglyphs,saguaros, creosote bushes,cryptobiotic soil crusts, andjoshua trees. Home of theMojave, the Sonoran, theGreat Basin and the Chi-huahuan deserts, these variedand diverse lands are unitedby extremes—extreme tem-peratures and extreme aridity.It is these extremes that keptall but the hardiest settlersaway and today we are leftwith vast expanses of seem-ingly empty public lands toexplore and enjoy.

But the lands are notempty. Bighorn sheep, deserttortoises, mule deer, lizards,rattlesnakes, fairy shrimp,mountain lions, and count-

America’s DESERTS AND CANYONS

less birds make their home inthese arid places. The plantsand animals that can endurethe extremes that deterredpeople are not as hardy anddurable as their appearancesuggests, however. Because ofthe scarcity of water, the lackof organic soil and the radicaltemperature variations, aridlands recover very slowlyfrom damage caused bybackcountry visitors. Thevery fact that you can stillfind corncobs in the ruinsleft by the Ancient Puebloanpeople hundreds of years agobears testament to thedesert’s ability to preserve—to preserve both good andbad. For this reason, as moreand more people visit Ameri-ca’s desert and canyon coun-try, the need to Leave NoTrace becomes increasinglyimperative.


Major deserts of the U.S.

PLAN AHEAD and Prepare

Much joy can be found in wild-lands, but mishaps are also all toocommon. Even short hikes warrantforethought to reduce risks to per-sonal safety and to the land. Planahead by considering your owngoals and the goals of your group.Prepare by gathering information,communicating expectations, andacquiring the technical skills, firstaid knowledge, and equipment todo the trip right.

Build Leave No Trace into yourplans by picking a destination that isappropriate for your group and byallowing plenty of time in your itiner-ary to travel and camp with minimalimpact to the land, wildlife and oth-ers. Be prepared to sit tight or turnback when you first sense danger orsustain an injury. That way, you won’thave to abandon Leave No Tracetechniques for the sake of safety.

EDUCATE YOURSELF. Know theregulations and special concerns forthe area you’ll visit. Because everywildland is unique, regulations andpermit stipulations vary. Vegetationand wildlife will also differ. A basicunderstanding of local ecology willhelp you minimize your impact onthe plants and animals that live in theplaces you visit. Learn how to LeaveNo Trace wherever you go. Start byreading this booklet and inquiringabout local minimum-impact prac-tices and area regulations.

Land management agency web-sites, offices, and visitor informationcenters offer information on specialregulations, environmental concerns,and trip planning, as well as educa-

tion and volunteer opportunities.Other information sources includesporting goods suppliers, bookstores,clubs, non-profit groups, local con-servation organizations, libraries andnature centers. Often, these sourcescan be contacted via the internet.

PLAN FOR YOUR GROUP. Evaluatethe size, skill and experience level ofyour group before choosing your des-tination. Always ask about group sizelimitations in advance. Recreationmanagers can help you select a desti-nation suited to your individualneeds. For example, most peopleexpect some noise and commotionaround picnic areas, large camp-grounds, and developed recreationsites. In the backcountry, visitorswant to experience nature andwildlife without these distractions.

Small versus large groups. Wheneverpossible, visit wildlands in smallgroups. Large groups can be boister-ous and disruptive unless they arewell supervised. Try to obtain suffi-cient numbers of experienced leadersto divide up large groups while hik-ing. Avoid problems by teachingeveryone about Leave No Trace andappropriate wildland behavior beforeleaving home. Large and/or lessknowledgeable groups are bestaccommodated in popular placeswhere there are already developedtrails and campsites. Once again, ifyou have questions about Leave NoTrace or the application of minimum-impact techniques in a specific area,contact the land managing agency.Regardless of the size of your group


and the purpose of your outing, prac-ticing Leave No Trace techniquesrequires care and forethought.

SCHEDULE YOUR TRIP TO AVOIDTIMES OF HIGH USE. Visits to pop-ular wildlands at times of peak use,such as holidays and weekends, areoften fraught with traffic, crowding,delays, and conflicts with othergroups. Exploring out-of-the-wayareas during such times is usually agood bet. Better yet, for a less crowd-ed experience visit during off-peakperiods. Make reservations andobtain permits well ahead of time toprevent disappointment. Avoid travelwhen environmental conditions, suchas drought, make impacts more likelyor severe.

Lack of moisture and extreme tem-perature fluctuations define desertsand create stresses not only for theplants and animals that live there,but also for visitors who are unpre-pared. It is not uncommon for tem-peratures to vary as much as 40-50°Fahrenheit in less than 24-hours.Temperatures may be well above100° F during the day and bitter coldat night. One minute you are cravingmoisture, the next a thunderstormhas transformedthe canyon intoa raging river.


Campers must be prepared to dealwith these extremes. Plan your visitfor the wetter, cooler months both toavoid competing with animals forwater and to maximize your comfort.

USE PROPER GEAR. Prepare forextreme weather, hazards, and emer-gencies. Pack a camp stove and fuel,a pot, matches or a lighter, a signalmirror, a first aid kit, and a whistle orfluorescent vest for emergencies.Always carry a good map, plenty offood, a water filter or purificationtablets, warm clothing, rain gear,sunscreen and a hat. Water sourcesare limited and may be separated bygreat distances in the desert. Eachmember of your party should carryenough bottles and canteens toensure a day’s supply of drinkingwater. A minimum capacity of onegallon or more per person per day isrecommended. In extreme heat, twogallons per person may be requiredto stay adequately hydrated.

Often, equipment that keeps ussafe will also reduce impacts to oursurroundings. A camp stove, whichprovides a quick meal without char-ring a single stone, is a prime exam-ple. On sandy trails, where we mightbe tempted to walk along the edge orcreate a new route to keep grit out ofour boots, gaiters let us forge throughthe dirt.

PLAN YOUR MEALS. While ade-quate gear can be essential to thesuccess of a trip, bringing too muchstuff along can weigh you down andmake you miserable. Get a jump onwaste management by planning yourmeals to avoid leftovers. Pack food in



reusable containers or plastic bags.Get rid of wrappers and heavy pack-aging in advance, so you won’t betempted to leave them behind.

DEVELOP THE SKILLS. Know theskills and gear that go along withtraveling through the desert. Take acourse or hire a competent guide.Make sure that first aid, navigation,and self-rescue are part of yourknowledge and be sure you’re in ade-quate physical shape to tackle thetrip. Know where to find water andunderstand desert hazards such asflash floods, poisonous animals, andextreme heat. Learn as much as youcan about your destination and howto have fun there while staying safeand protecting the land.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. Getting lostcan be a big deal in the backcountry.Your personal safety and well-beingmay be jeopardized if you end upspending a night or several nights outwithout adequate gear and clothing.Significant impacts to the landscape

can result from rescue operationsinvolving vehicles or large numbersof people. Minimize risk by planninga trip that matches your skills andexpectations. Be prepared to getyourself out of tough situations. Takeresponsibility for your own safety bypracticing self awareness, caution andgood judgment

Register at the trailhead or withthe ranger. Use a map and compassor GPS receiver. Know where you areat all times, and stay with yourgroup. Just in case, give a familymember or friend a copy of youritinerary together with a mapmarked with your intended routeand instructions explaining what todo and who to notify if you don’treturn on schedule. You can alsoleave a copy of your itinerary on thedashboard of your car.

Don’t build cairns, use flagging, ordeface rocks or trees to mark yourway. In canyon country, cell phonesand radios often do not workbecause of the topography and basiclack of service.


TRAVEL AND CAMP on Durable Surfaces

RECOGNIZE DURABLE SUR-FACES. What effect does a footstephave? The answer is, it depends. Afootstep means different things to atree sapling and small cactus, to leaflitter and cryptobiotic soil crusts, to adry arroyo and a rain forest moss.Wherever you travel and camp, it isbest to use surfaces that are resistantto impact. Because of the generalscarcity of water and organic soils in

desert regions, recovery from damagecaused by backcountry visitors takeslonger than in more lush environ-ments. A misplaced footstep in someparts of the desert can take decadesto heal.

To reduce the damage your passagethrough the desert may cause, stay ondurable surfaces such as trails,expanses of rock, established camp-sites, gravel, sand, or dry creek beds.

CONCENTRATE USE IN POPULARAREAS. In most popular areas,durable surfaces include trails, estab-lished campsites, and other devel-oped sites. Their continued use helpsminimize further disturbances towildlife, soils and vegetation.

Stay on designated trails. On trails,walk single file in the center of thetread—even where it’s wet, rocky orsandy. Trails become progressivelywider and parallel paths form whenpeople walk on the margins or detouraround obstacles. Likewise, “socialtrails”—or paths that develop whenpeople bushwack between campsitesand kitchens—mar campgrounds andother popular areas. Always try touse established roads and trails tovisit campsites and other places ofinterest. Please don’t take shortcuts,especially on switchbacks. Shortcutsbecome trails or gullies requiringcostly restoration. Keep out of areaswhere efforts to restore vegetationand soils are in progress.

Wildlife have learned to expectpeople on trails. They are more dis-turbed when they encounter peopleaway from these corridors, so in gen-eral stick to established paths.

GOOD CAMPSITES ARE FOUND,NOT MADE. What makes the perfect campsite?Safety, privacy, and comfort never goout of style, and securing suchamenities does not entail a majorremodeling effort. It is generally pos-sible to find a flat site that does nothave to be altered if you take thetime to look around. We can evenbring our own lightweight furniture


along to eliminate the need to createit on-site. Camp stoves, sleepingpads, chairs, lanterns, even showers,are readily available at reasonableprices, and they pack in and outwith ease.

Leave your campsite clean and nat-ural looking. In wildlands, we arevisitors, but we are also hosts tothose who follow. They will noticeour hospitality or lack of it. Litter,graffiti, tree damage, human and petwaste, unsightly fire rings and thelike are senseless signs of our pass-ing. If we take the time to pick upafter ourselves, and if necessary afterothers, we will all benefit.

Trees are relatively scarce in someparts of the arid Southwest, but youmay find yourself camping in thewelcome shade of a cottonwood,juniper or mesquite. Carelesscampers often harm these sanctuar-ies. Don’t break off branches whilesecuring tent or clothes lines, and beas gentle as possible when suspend-ing food or game carcasses. Don’t usewire or nails. Place a stuff sack orother material under ropes or wherepadding is necessary to protect bark.Likewise, place lanterns where theywon’t singe bark or branches. Whentraveling with stock, use highlines oranother method to secure the animalswithout tying them directly to trees.Trees shouldn’t be targets or storagefor hatchets and knives.

Whenever a person breaks off atree branch for firewood, an ugly scaris created and the tree is opened todisease. Proper firewood collection isdiscussed under the heading, “Mini-mize Campfire Impacts” on page 23.



Use established campsites. Choose awell-established campsite that’s bigenough for your group. Some popu-lar areas have officially designatedcampsites, shelters or platforms foryour use. This system has beenshown to reduce damage to vegeta-tion and other natural features.Where campsites are not formallydesignated, look for minimum-impact sites where the ground coveris already worn away or better yet,camp on unvegetated rock or sand.Wear soft-soled shoes and concen-trate your activities in the center ofthe site to avoid enlarging it.

Tents, packs, gear and the kitchenarea should be located on surfacesthat are either already compacted,naturally resistant, or prepared—suchas a gravel tent platform. Thisapproach protects surrounding vege-tation and prevents “satellite” sitesfrom developing.

Also consider your visual impacton other users or wildlife. Takeadvantage of opportunities to tuckyour tent out of view behind naturalscreening such as trees, large shrubsor rocks.

DISPERSE USE INPRISTINE AREAS. Visit remote or“pristine” areas only if you are com-mitted and able to Leave No Trace inthat particular environment. Your

camping and traveling practiceswill be slightly different inplaces where there are noexisting trails or campsites.Here it becomes even

more essential to seek outdurable surfaces. In deserts

and canyons, the mostdurable traveling surfaces includerock, gravel and sand. Dry grasses arealso naturally resilient due to theirhardy root structures and flexiblestems.

Avoid creating trails and campsites.Cross-country travel. Consult localland managers about cross-countrytravel and the appropriate use ofgame trails. In places where soils areprone to erosion or rare species suchas the cactus ferruginous pygmy owlsor southwestern willow flycatchersare present, off-trail travel should beavoided. If cross-country travel isallowed and deemed appropriate,seek out durable surfaces for yourpath. Slickrock acts almost like apaved trail in parts of the ColoradoPlateau. Hiking and camping insandy areas will preclude the creationof new trails and campsites. Drywashes also provide excellent travelroutes because flooding washes awaysigns of your passage. The only draw-back to traveling in a wash is thepotential danger of a flash flood.These travel corridors should not beused if it is raining or there is anypotential for upstream storms.


In general, spread out when hikingoff-trail. If each person takes a slightlydifferent route, a distinct trail is lesslikely to form because no single plantreceives multiple footfalls. Walkingsingle file is acceptable where there islittle chance of trampling plants—such as in a dry wash.

Please see page 12 for informationon travel where cryptobiotic soilcrusts, vulnerable vegetation anddesert pavement are present.

Campsites. Select the most durablecamping location possible. In pristineareas that don’t see much humantraffic, pre-existing campsites, eventhose that are lightly used, are best leftalone to recover. Before unpackingyour tent, look for obvious bird nest-ing activity and other signs of animalssuch as tracks and burrows. Choosean area that seems safe, free ofwildlife, and well-suited to minimum-impact camping. Look for a large rockslab, a graveled area, sandy spots, orother equally durable space to locateyour kitchen. Concentrate your activi-ties on this surface whenever possibleto protect more fragile areas. If neces-sary, reserve less durable ground foryour sleeping area.

Stay only one night unless yourimpact to the site will be negligible.Vary your route to water, and to thebathroom or to sleeping areas to pre-vent trails from forming. Carry a col-lapsible water container so you canminimize the number of trips you

need to make to collect water. In gen-eral, manage your activity to avoidharming the natural features of thesite, especially ones that do notregenerate or do so very slowly—such as woody shrubs like black-brush or cryptobiotic soil crusts.

BREAKING CAMP. After breakingcamp and before departing, disguisethe site by replacing any rocks orsticks you may have moved. Take adead branch and rake away footprintsin sand or gravel. Re-cover scuffed upareas with leaf litter or pine needles.Fluff up matted grass and make theplace less obvious as a campsite. Aslong as overall visitor use is very low,the site will recover. Ideally, no trailsor campsites will be created if visitorsdisperse their activities sufficiently.

PROTECT WATER RESOURCES.Water marks the landscape of thedesert Southwest. It has carved deepcanyons through sheer walls of redand white sandstone and woven den-dritic stream patterns across thebajadas; flashfloods deposit debrishigh along cliff walls or into theupper reaches of the cottonwoodsthat line the stream banks; glitteringwhite salt flats mark the site ofancient seas and inland lakes. Yet inspite of this obvious power, thescarcity of water is what defines adesert. Annual rainfall varies from aslittle as 1.8 inches in Death Valley to9 inches in Canyonlands NationalPark. Because of this scarcity, desertcampers must respect and conservewater during their travels.

Regulations vary about where tocamp in relation to water. In many

DESERTS A N D CANYONS - 1 0 -


parts of the arid Southwest, landmanagers require campsites to belocated at least 70 steps or 200 feetfrom water sources. In California,where some of the nation’s driestdeserts lie, state regulations requirecamps to be 210 steps or 600 feetfrom water, and human visits towater sources must last less than 30minutes. (California AdministrativeCode-Section 730.) Finally, Arizonastate law says that the minimum dis-tance between a campsite and eithernatural or human-made wateringholes must be a quarter of a milewhen this water is the only reason-able source available to wildlife anddomestic stock. (Title 17, Chapter13: Taking and Handling of Wildlife,Article 1, General Regulations).These distances are all intended toensure that animals have undis-turbed access to their drinking water,as well as to reduce the chance thatyou will inadvertently contaminatethe water source.

In some canyons or river corridorsin the Southwest, thick riparian veg-etation or steep canyon walls pre-clude camping 200 feet from water.Such tight quarters may be haz-ardous in the case of a flash flood, souse caution before choosing a camp-site right along the canyon floor. Ifthere is any sign of rain, either in theimmediate area or upstream, keephiking until you can get to higherground.

If there is no danger of flash floodand you have to camp close to a watersource, look for an established camp-site or choose a durable spot andpractice impeccable Leave No Tracetechniques to ensure water purity and

minimize animal disturbance. Be par-ticularly careful about where you defe-cate in these narrow corridors. If pos-sible, climb up out of the canyon bot-tom, well above any high water linebefore digging your cat hole. For moredetail on proper sanitation practices inthe desert, see the section: “Dispose ofWaste Properly” on page 14.

Because regulations regarding wateruse vary from state to state andagency to agency, it is imperative thatyou know the regulations for the areathat you plan to visit before you reachthe trailhead.

Conserve water. Conservation ofwater is essential given its scarcityand its vital importance to plants andanimals in the desert. Regulations insome parts of the arid Southwestrequire campers to pack in all theirwater in times of extreme shortages.Again, the law is intended to protectwildlife. Animals do not have theoption of carrying their water fromplace to place. When their suppliesdry up, their lives are threatened.Therefore, where water is precious,human visitors must conserve thepools of life they encounter for thewildlife that live there.

Adjust your water consumptionaccording to the size of your source.If your source is a single pot hole,use it only for drinking supplies andtry to limit your stay to one night soyou do not empty it. If you are nextto a flowing stream or large spring,you may be more liberal with wateruse, but consider how much water isflowing before you jump in.

Swimming in pot holes, self-con-tained pools, or small streams is not



appropriate. Body oils, sunscreen orlotions can alter the pH of the watercausing harm to aquatic creatures orpolluting the drinking water. Pets,horses and other pack animalsshould not be allowed to defecate inthe water. To prevent this, waterthem away from the source with abucket or bowl.

Special considerations: cryptobioticsoil crusts, vulnerable vegetation,and desert pavement. On the surface,the arid lands of the Southwest mayappear barren and devoid of vegeta-tion—perfect territory for minimum-impact off-trail travel. However, soilcrusts and desert pavement, featuresthat may not be readily apparent tothe untrained eye, are prevalent inmany parts of the region. Both arequite fragile and may be damaged bya single misplaced foot. In addition,plants, such as the fishhook cactus(Mammaleria microcarpa) arecamouflaged to look like stones mak-ing them difficult to see and avoid.

Protection of such small, inconspicu-ous desert plants requires special vig-ilance when traveling off-trail.

Cryptobiotic soil crusts, alsoknown as cryptogam, represent asmuch as 70 percent of the livingcover on the Colorado Plateau. Crustsare also present, though less obvious,in parts of the Mojave and Sonorandeserts. Looking like tiny, black, irreg-ularly raised pedestals in the sand,cryptobiotic soil crusts form a self-sustaining biological community thatis essential to the ecology of aridlands. By reducing erosion, fixingnutrients in the soil, and increasingwater absorption, cryptobiotic soilcrusts create a hospitable environ-ment in which other plants mayestablish themselves.

Unfortunately, human activities areincompatible with flourishing crypto-biotic soil crusts. Compression fromfootsteps, bicycles, or vehicles destroythe fibers that hold the crusts togetherresulting in channels of exposed soilthat may be eroded away by water or



cryptobiotic soil crust

wind. Burial of surrounding crusts byblowing sand can cut off the lightrequired for photosynthesis. Under thebest circumstances, a thin veneer ofcryptogam may return to a disturbedarea in five to seven years. Full recov-ery takes 50 years or more.

In areas with cryptogam, it is vital toconcentrate use on durable ground.Open expanses of rock, known as slick-rock, and dry washes where no crypto-biotic soil crusts can grow, provideexcellent minimum-impact travel corri-dors, while areas covered with denseleaf litter, such as found under pinyonand juniper trees, offer another durablesurface for walking or camping.

If you find yourself surrounded bycryptobiotic soil crusts, step directlyin one another’s footprints as youmove across the crusts to a moreresistant travel path. The first foot-print actually causes the most dam-age, so it is inappropriate to spreadout when crossing cryptogam. Cross-country travel should be avoided in

such fragile places, and camping onthese soils should never be necessary.Stay on rock or in dry washes.

Desert pavement is another fragilearid land feature that should be avoid-ed by backcountry travelers. Found inthe Mojave Desert of southern Califor-nia and Nevada and in Arizona’sSonoran desert, desert pavement ischaracterized by a smooth veneer ofvarnished rocks embedded in the soil.Overturning these rocks results in avisible impact that lasts until the var-nish returns, a process that can takehundreds, if not thousands of years.In fact, the ancient inhabitants of Cali-fornia’s deserts created expansive geo-glyphs by removing varnished pebblesand leaving behind outlines of ani-mals and people on the land. You canstill see these forms today, thousandsof years after they were created. Sincewe don’t want to leave a footprint thatlasts a thousand years, don’t camp ondesert pavement and walk across itwith care.



desert pavement

PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT.“Pack it in, pack it out” is afamiliar mantra to seasonedwildland visitors. As users ofrecreation lands, it’s ourresponsibility to clean up after

ourselves. Inspect your camp-site and rest areas for trash orspilled foods. Pack out alltrash, leftover food, and litter.

Plan meals to avoid gener-ating messy, smelly garbage.

It’s critical to wildlife thatwe pack out any by-

products of foodpreparation, such asbacon grease and left-overs. Don’t count on

a fire to dispose ofwaste. Garbage that is

half-burned or buried willstill attract animals and makea site unattractive to othervisitors.

Litter is not only ugly—itcan be deadly. Plastic six-packholders and plastic bags canstrangle birds and mammals.

DISPOSE of Waste Proper ly

Fishing lines, lures and netsensnare and injure everythingfrom dogs to herons, so don’tleave any behind.

Bring an adequate contain-er to haul your trash, andmaybe someone else’s, backhome. Before moving onfrom a camp or rest site,search the area for “micro-garbage” such as bits of foodand trash including cigarettefilters and organic litter suchas orange peels, or egg, pista-chio and sunflower seedshells. Invite the kids in yourgroup to make a game out ofscavenging for human “sign.”

PRACTICE GOODSANITATION.Human waste. “¿Dónde estáel baño?” “Ninahitaji kujisai-die?” No matter how it’s said,“Where’s the bathroom?” isan important question, evenin wildlands. Where there isno bathroom per se, answer-ing the call involves a littlepre-planning, some initiative,and a bit of creativity. Properhuman waste disposal willallow you to:• Avoid polluting water

sources• Eliminate contact with

insects and animals• Maximize decomposition• Minimize the chances of

social impacts

Improper disposal ofhuman waste can lead towater pollution, the spread of



illnesses such as giardia, and unpleas-ant experiences for those who follow.

Facilities/outhouses. Whenever pos-sible, take time to locate and usebathrooms, outhouses, and otherdeveloped sites for human waste dis-posal.

Cat holes. If no facilities are avail-able, deposit solid human waste incat holes dug 6 to 8 inches deep atleast 200 feet from water, camp,trails, and drainages. Look for organ-

ic soil under trees and away fromcryptobiotic soil crusts for your cathole site. Bring a trowel to dig thehole, and disguise it well before leav-ing. Ideally, the microbes found insoil break down feces and thepathogens they contain, but in thedesert, this process happens veryslowly, so make sure your cat holesite is well-hidden and buried deeplyso it won’t be uncovered accidentally.Don’t leave human waste under rocksor in alcoves because it will decom-pose slowly there. If the cat holemethod is ill suited to your group, it’sbest to camp where an outhouse orpit toilet is available.

Good cat hole sites isolate wastefrom water sources such as lakes,streams, dry creek beds, ravines, pot-holes, and other visitors. Whenever

possible, use a remote location dur-ing the day’s hike to help preventhigh concentrations of cat holes nearcampsites.

Toilet paper. Plan ahead to pack outused toilet paper in a plastic bag.This practice leaves the least impacton the area. Packing soiled toiletpaper with baby wipes deodorizesthe trash bag, and the wipes help youstay cleaner. Double bagging yourtrash prevents any accidental contam-ination. Burying toilet paper in thedesert is not recommended. The aridenvironment preserves paper—news-papers from the 1870s that were usedto insulate mining cabins in thedesert are still legible today. Burningtoilet paper at the site is also not rec-ommended both because it is hard toburn the paper completely andbecause the practice has causedwildfires. Natural toilet paper such asgrass, river rocks, sticks, and snowcan be surprisingly effective. If youchoose to use natural toilet paper,bury it in your cat hole. Always packout feminine hygiene productsbecause they decompose slowly andattract animals.

If you do not believe your group iscapable of packing out toilet paperhygienically, your only option may beto instruct everyone to bury it intheir cat holes. If you choose thisoption, be particularly diligent aboutdigging down deeply enough to pre-vent scavenging animals from exca-vating the contents.

Latrines. If you camp with childrenor plan to stay with a group in oneplace for several days, use a latrine to


cat hole

concentrate wastes and pro-tect surrounding vegetation.Site the latrine as you woulda cat hole and ensure theroute to the latrine is overdurable surfaces. Dig atrench six to eight inchesdeep, and long enough toaccommodate the needs ofyour party. Soil from thetrench is used to cover thefeces with each use. Disposeof toilet paper by packing itout in a plastic bag. Natural-ize the site before leaving.

The use of latrines shouldbe a last resort—wheredeveloped restrooms, pit toi-lets and porta-johns areunavailable.

Carrying waste out. Often,visitor use is high and soilssparse in desert areas. Recre-ation managers seeking toprotect human health andwater sources employ a spec-trum of toilet designs andapproaches to managinghuman waste—even airliftingsuch waste out with heli-copters. There are a number


of products available now forpacking out your own feces.One effective, low-costoption is to carry and use ahomemade poop tube (seeillustration) or to purchase adevice designed specificallyfor transporting humanwaste. Some of these prod-ucts allow you to dispose ofhuman waste in landfills ortrash cans, others need to bedeposited in pit toilets orporta-johns. Check with localland managers or Leave NoTrace, Inc. for informationabout these products andother appropriate disposaltechniques for human waste.

Urine. While the odor ofurine can be a problem inarid areas, especially alongriver corridors, it is typicallynot a health concern. Uri-nate well away from campsand trails. Salt-deprived ani-mals have been known todefoliate plants to consumethe salt in human urine, sourinate on rocks or bareground rather than on thevegetation. Where water isplentiful, consider rinsingthe site where you urinate.One “solution to pollution isdilution,” so near big desertrivers like the Colorado, uri-nate directly into the wateror on the wet sand along theriverbanks. For more infor-mation on this technique,see the Leave No Trace


poop tube


Western Rivers Skills andEthics Booklet.

WASTEWATER. To washyourself or your dishes, carrywater 200 feet away fromyour water source and useonly small amounts of soap.Because biodegradable soapsrely on microbes in the soilto decompose active ingredi-ents, it must be rinsed offaway from your water sourceboth to be effective and toprevent contamination. Handsanitizers that don’t requirerinsing allow you to washyour hands without worryingabout wastewater disposal.

For dish washing, use aclean pot or expanding jug tocollect water, and take it to awash site at least 200 feet (70steps) away from fresh water.This lessens trampling alongthe stream banks and helpskeep soap and other pollu-tants out of water sources.Use hot water, elbow grease,and little or no soap. Straindirty dishwater with a finemesh strainer before scatter-ing it. Pack out the contentsof the strainer in a plastic bagalong with any uneaten left-overs. Animals should not beallowed access to any food orfood waste for reasons dis-cussed in the “RespectWildlife” section on page 25.

In developed campgrounds,food scraps, mud and odorscan accumulate where waste-water is discarded. Contact

your campground host for thebest disposal practices andother ways to Leave No Traceat your campsite.

Contamination of watersources from wastewater andsoap, or the loss of a smallamount of water fromhumans drinking out of a pothole may be the differencebetween life and death forwildlife. Remember, in somearid environments, you arerequired to pack in all yourwater, so be frugal whenwashing.

SOAPS AND LOTIONS.Soap, even when it isbiodegradable, can alter thewater chemistry of lakes andstreams, so minimize its use.Always wash yourself wellaway from shorelines (200feet, 70 steps) and rinse withwater carried in a pot or jug.This allows the soil to act as afilter. Where freshwater isscarce, it’s better to conservethe resource and avoidbathing.


People visitwildlands formany reasons,among themto explorenature's mys-teries and sur-

prises. While many visitors are mostoffended by finding litter in thesewild areas, specialists are actuallymore concerned about impactsthat impair the function of naturalecosystems and affect rare species.They are worried about what ismissing from our favorite wildlands:things like native plants and ani-mals, healthy soils, and archaeolog-ical artifacts, as well as rocks, wild-flowers, antlers, feathers, fossils andother objects of interest. Leavingsuch things as we find them helpsscientists understand the naturalbalance of the area and allows usto pass the gift of discovery on tothose who follow.

Leave What You Find meansretaining the special qualities of everywildland area-for the long term.

PRESERVE THE PAST. One of themost exciting aspects of travelingthrough America’s deserts is comingupon relics from the past. The aridenvironment preserves human historyand you often find rock art, pot-sherds, corn cobs, and ruins tuckedup in canyons or spread across themesas. Discovering such evidence ofearlier cultures is exhilarating, andthere is a great temptation to takesamples home as souvenirs. Thispractice is illegal on public lands,however. Structures, dwellings and

LEAVE What You Find

artifacts found on public lands areprotected by the ArchaeologicalResources Protection Act of 1979 andthe National Historic Preservation Actof 1906, and may not be disturbed.These include seemingly insignificantpotsherds, arrowheads, and mining orrailroad equipment from fifty or moreyears ago. It is illegal to excavate, dis-turb, damage, or remove theseresources from any public lands.

In spite of these laws, the singlelargest problem cultural resourcemanagers face today is unintentionaldamage to historical artifacts by visi-tors. Ruins, potsherds, arrowheadsand rock art are rapidly disappearingor being destroyed as more and morepeople discover the magic of theSouthwest.

Cultural sites add to the mysteryand allure of the desert, but take carewhen you come upon a ruin. Stop,look and think. Is your presencegoing to cause further deterioration?Can you “visit” the site by justobserving it from afar? Try to locatethe midden or ancient trash pile.These darkened, raised mounds ofearth are usually found in front of aruin and are extremely fragile.Archaeological artifacts and informa-tion may be buried in the midden,and walking on them can destroypieces of the historical record.

If a trail has been built to the site,stay on it. Foot traffic causes erosionthat can undermine the ruins. Climb-ing on walls or roofs may causestructures to collapse, while touchingthe ancient plaster makes it deterio-rate. So watch where you walk andtry not to touch anything. Leave


LEAVE What You Find

items where you find them,moving artifacts aroundrearranges history and makesan archaeologist’s job harder.Enjoy rock art by viewing,sketching, and photograph-ing it. Never chalk, trace ortouch the paintings or carv-ings. Any kind of direct con-tact with the oils in our skincauses these ancient works ofart to begin disintegrating.Defacing existing rock art oradding your own moderndrawings is vandalism and ispunishable by law.

There can be no compro-mises if we wish to protectthese irreplaceable and frag-ile treasures. Visit culturalsites with care, respect and

impeccable Leave No Tracetechniques.

LEAVE NATURALFEATURES UNDISTURBED.Load your camera, not yourpacks. Let photos, drawings,and memories be your sou-venirs. Although naturalobjects may be collected onsome public lands, a permitis often required. In theSonoran and Mojave deserts,more and more people arecollecting desert plants forlandscaping and herbal med-icine. Because of this, allcacti and many desert shrubsand trees are now protectedby state laws. In addition,collecting is prohibited in


national parks, wildlife refuges, andmany state parks. The nests andfeathers of wild birds are protectedby the federal Migratory Bird TreatyAct. Practice and encourage restraintand know the law before pocketing afeather or plant.

Help children investigate the role of natural objects in their own envi-ronments. Remind them that thesethings fill important ecological niches—an antler is gnawed by a kan-garoo rat for nutrients; a scorpionfinds shade under a piece of dead-wood. We all need to remember thatobjects in nature derive much of theirbeauty from their surroundings andnever look quite the same back home.

Modern-day recreationists shouldnot build rock cairns for navigationalaids. Pre-existing cairns should beleft in place, however. For centuries,both Native Americans and Europeansettlers used these rock piles to marktrails, hunting blinds or miningclaims. In some parts of the desert,stone piles resembling people werebuilt by Native Americans to herdwildlife into canyons. Because themysterious rock piles you encountermay have historical significance, it isbest to leave them as you find them.

It is not appropriate for recreation-ists to use paint, survey tape, or treescars to mark a trail. If some kind ofmarker is absolutely necessary, useflagging and be sure to remove itbefore leaving the area.

AVOID SPREADING NON-NATIVEPLANTS AND ANIMALS. Invasivespecies of plants, animals, andorganisms can cause large-scale, irre-versible changes to ecosystems by

LEAVE What You Find

harming or out-competing nativespecies. For example, in parts of theGreat Basin Desert, cheat grass isinvading areas that were once domi-nated by sagebrush. Cheat grassburns frequently, something sage-brush can’t withstand. As a result,the grass is gradually taking over asthe dominant species, but it cannotreplace sagebrush as an essentialfood and habitat source for animalssuch as pronghorn antelope or sagegrouse. The spread of cheat grass,therefore, jeopardizes the future wellbeing of these animals.

Recreationists play a role in thespread of invasives by transportinglive animals, plants, seeds, andagents of disease. The potential fornew infestations increases every dayas more and more outdoor seekerstravel from one wildland to anotheraround the globe. It is less expensiveand less labor-intensive to preventnon-native species invasion than it isto restore the original balance.

We can help prevent the spread ofinvasive species by following theseguidelines: • Don’t transport flowers, weeds, or

aquatic plants into wildlands. • Empty and clean your packs, tents,

stock trailers, boats, fishing equip-ment, vehicles, and other gear afterevery trip. Water, mud, and soilmay contain harmful seeds, spores,or tiny plants and animals.

• Clean the dirt out of your boots ortire treads.

• Never discard or release live bait.• Make sure packstock and pets are

immunized and their coats are freeof seeds, twigs, and harmful pestssuch as ticks.


MINIMIZE Campfire Impacts

The natural appearance ofmany recreation areas hasbeen compromised by thecareless use of fires and thedemand for firewood. Cam-pfires are beautiful atnight. But enormous ringsof soot-scarred rocks—ringsoften overflowing withashes, partly burned logs,food, and trash—areunsightly during the day.Most importantly, cam-pfires can and doignite wildfires.

Some of us grew up withthe tradition of campfires butthey are no longer essential tocomfort and food prepara-tion. Nor do most of ourdeserts rely on fires for forestrejuvenation or for getting ridof excessive undergrowth anddead wood, so your fire has

no place in the local ecology.Many lasting impacts associat-ed with campfires in the back-country can be avoided byusing lightweight stoves, firepans, mound fires, and otherLeave No Trace techniques.

USE A STOVE. Visitorsshould carry a stove, pot,matches, or a lighter, and

sufficient fuel to cook allmeals. Another option is topre-cook meals or to bringfood that doesn’t requirecooking so that you can dis-


• If you carry hay, or otherfeed, make sure it’s weed-free. Feed your animalsonly food that is certifiedweed-free for at least threedays before entering back-country areas.

Find out about the invasivespecies in your area and learnhow recreationists can helpcurb their spread. If you locatean infested area, let the landowner or land managingagency know so that they caninitiate control efforts.

Minimize site alterations.For camping and all youractivities, carry portableequipment that leaves notrace. Use electric fencinginstead of wooden corrals,collapsible furniture ratherthan hand-hewn tables andchairs, and lightweight tentsin place of makeshift “sur-vival” shelters so the arearetains its natural character.

LEAVE What You Find

pense with a stove all togeth-er. Build fires only when con-ditions are right—the dangerof wildfire is low, downedand dead wood is plentiful,regulations allow fires, andthere is sufficient time to pre-pare the fire site, burn all thewood to ash, and clean up.

BUILD A MINIMUM-IMPACT FIRE. At your picnicor campsite, considerwhether a fire makes goodsense. Are campfires evenallowed in the area you arevisiting? Have you inquiredabout the possibility of a fireban due to drought condi-tions? Do you have the nec-essary permits? Are theweather and wind conditionssuitable? Is there a risk ofscorching tents, tree limbs, orvegetation? Have youbrought along sufficientwood? If not, can firewoodbe collected without damag-ing trees (live or dead) ordepleting the local supply?

If a campfire is important to you, • Ask about pertinent regu-

lations and campfire man-agement techniques.

• Consider the wind, weath-er, location, and woodavailability. Decidewhether it is safe andresponsible to build a cam-pfire.

• Where there are no firerings or grates, bring a fire


pan or set aside time tobuild a mound or pit fire.

• Have a trowel or smallshovel and a container for saturating the asheswith water.

Use an established fire ringor fire grate. If you campnear an existing rock ring orfire grate, use it rather thanbuilding a new fire site. Themost inviting fire rings are ofa reasonable size and free ofexcess ashes, half-burnedwood and trash. Leave yourfire ring in a condition thatencourages others to use it.

Pit fires. Excavating a shal-low depression in the sand orgravel found along the bot-tom of dry washes—sites thathave no organic soil—makesa perfect minimum-impactfireplace. After you are done,collect the ash and scatter itin the trees or scrub along-side the wash before refillingthe depression. If left inplace, the ash will “float”through the sand or graveland the fire site will be obvi-ous to others.

True pit fires, where alayer of sod is removed and afire pit dug, are no longerrecommended because evenwhen the overlying sod iscarefully replaced andwatered, an obvious depres-sion usually forms. Ashesburied beneath the sod alsotend to rise to the surface.



Pan or mound fire. Fire pans areunused metal oil drain pans, alu-minum roasting pans, or commercial-ly made pans that make good con-tainers for low-impact fires. Use apan on a durable, unvegetated sur-face away from cliffs or overhangs.Line the pan with a few inches ofinorganic soil and elevate it withstones or place it on an old spaceblanket to prevent damage to vegeta-tion and soils below. Drill two orthree holes through the side of thepan to attach it to a pack with cordfor transport.

Mound fires are built on pedestalsof sand, gravel, or soil with a loworganic content. Locate a source forthis material where you’ll disturb aslittle vegetation as possible, often youcan find such soil near an uprootedtree or in a dry wash. Haul sufficientquantities to a durable fire site usinga stuff sack (it will require severalloads). Construct a pedestal 6-8 inch-es thick and 18-24 inches in diame-ter on top of a tarp or ground cloth.The ground cloth helps facilitatecleanup. It can be rolled up along theedge of the mound to prevent embersfrom singeing it. A sufficiently thickmound insulates the ground andyour tarp from the heat of thefire. Be sure to return thesoil to its source whenyour fire is out.

USE DEAD AND DOWNED WOOD.Keep fires small. For firewood, gatherdead sticks from the ground that canbe broken byhand. Usingfirewoodsmaller thanan adult’swrist makes clean up easier becausewood this size burns completely toash. Half-burned logs present a dis-posal problem—and often a disagree-able situation for the next campsitevisitor. Don’t snap branches off oftrees, either living or dead, becausedoing so scars or destroys them.Standing snags or junipers with deadand gnarled limbs are part of the aes-thetic beauty of the desert, but thehunt for firewood is rapidly causingthese ghostly trees to disappear. Gath-er driftwood in washes or pick upscattered dead wood lying on theground rather than break pieces offstanding trees. The use of hatchets,axes, or saws isn’t necessary or desir-able. In the backcountry, gather fire-wood en route to your camp so thearea around your site isn’t depleted.


mound fire

MANAGE YOURCAMPFIRE.No matter which campfiretechnique you employ:• Never leave a fire

unattended.• Don’t put foil-lined pack-

ets, leftover food, or othergarbage in the fire that willhave to be removed later.

• Don’t break large pieces offirewood up into smallerpieces until needed. Keepthe wood natural lookingand scatter all unusedbranches and logs awayfrom the site after you aredone.

• Burn the wood completelyto ash. Stop feeding thefire and give yourself anhour or more to add allthe unburned stick ends.

• Saturate the ash with water.Make sure it is cool to thetouch and remove anytrash.

• Scatter all the ashes widelywith a small shovel or pot lid.

• Restore the fire site to itsnatural appearance.

In popular areas, leave asingle, small, clean rock ringcentered in the campsite.Dismantle and clean up anyextra fire sites. If a fire grateis present, do not build oruse a rock ring. Leave thegrate clean and ready for thenext person. In remote areas,clean up thoroughly and dis-guise the fire site to make itappear as natural anduntouched as possible.



RESPECT Wildl i fe

The stark truth is, if wewant wild animals, we haveto make sacrifices.

—Colin Tudge, WildlifeConservation

Encounters with wildlifeinspire tall tales and longmoments of wonder. Yetaround the world wildlifeface threats from loss andfragmentation of habitat,invasive species, pollution,over-exploitation, poaching,and disease. The desertSouthwest is no exception.

Threatened and endangeredspecies, such as the Peninsu-lar desert bighorn sheep, theMojave desert tortoise, andthe Sonoran pronghorn, arestruggling to survive as theirworlds change and habitatsshrink. Protected lands offera refuge from some, but notall, of the problems facingwildlife. Consequently,wildlife need recreationistswho’ll promote their sur-vival, not add to the difficul-ties they already face.

We know that animalsrespond to people in differ-



RESPECT Wildl i fe

ent ways. Some species adaptreadily to humans in theirdomain and are said to be“habituated.” Other animalsflee from humans, abandon-ing their young or criticalhabitat. Still others areattracted and endangered byour food and garbage. Deserttortoises may void their blad-ders and lose most of theirstored water supplies whendisturbed. Since tortoisesoften go for months withoutdrinking, this loss can bedevastating. A seeminglyinsignificant disturbance of apronghorn antelope or a less-er-long nose bat can causedepletion of critical energyreserves or displacementfrom habitat or wateringareas. Animal nesting areasare particularly sensitive tohuman disturbance, so if youfind yourself being dive-bombed by a peregrine fal-con retreat. Most likely youhave entered its nesting area.

Since outdoor recreation isdispersed over large areas, itsimpacts on wildlife can beequally extensive. Fish, birds,and reptiles, as well as mam-mals, are affected by peopleusing their habitats. We areresponsible for co-existingpeacefully with wildlife.

NEVER FEED ANIMALS.Feeding wildlife damagestheir health, alters naturalbehaviors, and exposes themto predators and other dan-

gers. Headlines are madewhen wildlife are attracted tohumans and their food. Bearsget the most press for tearinginto tents, coolers, and carsin search of a meal, but morecommonly campers have todeal with the annoyance ofrodents, skunks, or birdslooking for a handout. Theseanimals pose little threat tohuman safety, but their pres-ence is a nuisance, they canbe vectors for disease, andtheir reliance on human foodis a detriment to their ownwell-being.

Human food is harmful toanimals. Serious illness ordeath can occur whenwildlife consume food wrap-pers, garbage, toiletries, vehi-

cle antifreeze and other“inedibles.” Furthermore,human food does not meetthe nutritional needs ofwildlife, but because it iseasy to obtain, it is anappealing substitute for for-aging animals.

Animals are adept oppor-tunists. When offered thetemptations of an untidybackcountry kitchen or a

desert tortoise



handout from a curiouscamper, they can overcometheir natural wariness ofhumans. Aggressive ordestructive behavior may fol-low, and in conflicts withhumans, animals ultimatelylose. Prospects of an easymeal also lure wildlife intohazardous places such as

campsites, trailheads, roads,and entry points where theyare chased by dogs or hit byvehicles. They may also con-gregate in unnatural num-bers, increasing stress andthe spread of disease withintheir populations.

STORE FOOD AND TRASHSECURELY. “Food” includesgarbage, canned food, stockfeed, pet food, fuel, andscented or flavored toiletries.The salt in hiking boots,backpacks, or clothing alsoattracts many small mam-mals. Appropriate storage and

RESPECT Wildl i fe

transportation methods varyconsiderably from place toplace, so consult land man-agers for the best practices inyour area. Keep a clean campby removing all garbage andeven the tiniest food scraps.Be careful not to drop foodon the trail as well.

You can often hang yourfood to keep it away fromanimals. In desert and canyoncountry where the primaryscavengers are rodents,skunks, or ringtails, the foodneed only be suspended afew feet off the ground andaway from tree limbs. Micemay be able to scamper upand down the line holding upyour food, so try poking ahole through a plastic lid andsecuring it on the line toblock their passage. You canalso pack your food in plastictubs or a cooking pot to keepcritters out.

OBSERVE FROM ADISTANCE. Always watch orphotograph animals from asafe distance so they are notstartled or forced to flee. Donot follow or approach them,even small reptiles andsnakes. If you’re hunting,know your game, identifyyour target, and take onlysafe, clean shots.

Use the observation areas,platforms, and trails providedin many areas, and binocu-lars, spotting scopes, andtelephoto lenses to watch

desert bighorn sheep

RESPECT Wildl i fe

wildlife. Back away if animals react toyour presence. To leave the area,move away from the animal even ifyou must detour from your intendedtravel direction. You have moreoptions in your movements thanwildlife. Treat them with greatrespect.

Avoid quick movements and directeye contact, which may be interpret-ed as aggression by certain animals.Don’t disturb wildlife (i.e. by shout-ing to get their attention) to get a bet-ter photo. If wildlife are on the move,stay out their line of travel. Travelquietly. Be aware that nocturnalpredators may be a hazard to yoursafety if you choose to hike at night.Many parts of the Southwest arehome to black bears and mountainlions. Check with land managers tofind out what camping and hikingpractices they recommend to avoidan unexpected, unpleasant encounterwith these animals.

The relationship of children to thenatural world is influenced by adultbehaviors. Model respect andrestraint by teaching children not toapproach, pet or feed wild animals.Always keep children in immediatesight: they’re often the same size asanimal prey. Don’t encircle, crowd,tease or attempt to pick up a wildanimal. Young animals removed ortouched by well-meaning peoplemay cause their parents to abandonthem. Some creatures, such as thedesert tortoise, are susceptible todiseases carried by humans. If youfind an animal in trouble, notify awildlife officer.

AVOID SENSITIVE TIMES ANDHABITATS. Consider the seasonalstresses that wildlife face. Typically,they are sensitive to recreationistswhile pursuing and defending matesand territories, birthing, guardingyoung or nests, and when food orwater is scarce. Avoid entering theirhabitats at such times, for your safetyand theirs. The more you understandabout a species, the more considerateyou can be of the animal’s needs andtemperament, especially at criticaltimes and in critical places.

In the arid Southwest, times ofhigh temperature and water stress—for example the peak of summer—are particularly difficult for animals.Be sure to allow wildlife clear accessto water sources and avoid disturbingthem during the heat of the day.

HANTAVIRUS. Many species ofrodents carry hantavirus, particularlydeer mice, which are common in theSouthwest. Chances of infection fromhantavirus are low; however, the ill-ness can be fatal, so it is important toavoid exposure. Humans pick up thedisease through contact with infectedrodents or their excretions. Infectionis strongly associated with disturbingrodent urine, droppings or nests, allof which are commonly found underoverhangs and in abandoned build-ings. Once disturbed, the viral parti-cles become airborne and areinhaled. The virus can also be trans-mitted through direct contact if viralparticles are introduced to brokenskin or to the eyes. In addition, thereare cases of people becoming infectedby rodent bites.




Children and adults alikeappreciate nature. Today,circumstances require us toshare wildlands with peopleof all recreational persua-sions. There is simply notenough country for everycategory of enthusiast tohave exclusive trails,canyons, water holes, andcampgrounds. Yet, the sub-ject of outdoor “etiquette”is often neglected. We’rereluctant to examine ourpersonal behaviors, least ofall in wildlands where tomany, a sense of freedom isparamount.

RESPECT OTHER VISITORSAND PROTECT THEQUALITY OF THEIREXPERIENCE. We canchoose to maintain a cooper-ative spirit in wildlands. Ourinteractions should reflect theknowledge that we can anddo rely on each other whenmishaps occur. More oftenthan not, our experiencesultimately depend on ourtreatment of others and theirattitudes toward us. Althoughour motivations and sense ofadventure vary, there’s alwaysroom on the trail for morepeople with open minds andgenerous hearts.

To prevent exposure to thevirus, avoid disturbing rodentsand their feces, and don’t sleepunder overhangs that supportrodent nests.

CONTROL YOUR PET.Wildlife and pets are not agood mix—even on-leash, dogsharass wildlife and disturbother visitors. The best optionis to leave them at home. Obe-dience champion or not, everydog is a potential carrier of dis-eases that infect wildlife.

If you must travel with yourpet, check for restrictions inadvance. Most national parksprohibit dogs on trails. Ensure

your animal is in good con-dition for the trip. Dogsshould have current vaccina-tions to avoid being carriersof, or contracting, infectiousdiseases such as rabies andparvo-virus, especially inareas with wolf populations.Always use a collar and ashort leash to control yourdog. Remove pet feces fromtrails, picnic areas, andcampsites by disposing of iteither in a cathole as youwould human waste, or in atrash can. For day hikes,carry an extra trash bag for collecting and carryingdog feces.

RESPECT Wildl i fe

BE CONSIDERATE of Other Vis i tor s



BE CONSIDERATE of Other Vis i tor s

YIELD TO OTHERS. It’soften the little things that aremost important. Simple cour-tesies—such as offering afriendly greeting on the trail,wearing earth-toned clothingto blend in with the scenery,stepping aside to let someonepass, waiting patiently for aturn, or preserving thequiet—all make a difference.

Show your respect to nativepeople who live in the South-west. Be friendly, unobtrusive,and self-sufficient. Take noteof tribal land boundaries, askpermission to cross privatelands or to photograph thepeople, and obey special lawsand restrictions. Uphold vol-untary closures of publiclands for Native Americanreligious ceremonies.

Likewise, don’t disturb thelivestock or equipment ofranchers, anglers, loggers,trappers, miners, and otherswho derive their income fromthe permitted use of publiclands. Leave gates open orshut, as you find them.

Groups leading or ridinglivestock have the right-of-way on trails. Hikers andbicyclists should move to thedownhill side, remain visibleand talk quietly to the ridersas they pass, since horses andother pack animals frighteneasily. You may even want totake off your pack if horsesor stock are skittish.

Stay in control while mov-ing quickly whether you are

jogging or riding a mountainbike. Before passing others,politely announce your pres-ence and proceed with cau-tion.

KEEP A LOW PROFILE.Take rest breaks a short dis-tance from the trail ondurable surfaces, such asrock or bare ground. If thevegetation around you isthick or easily crushed, picka wide spot in the trail.Camp away from trails andother visitors.

LET NATURE’S SOUNDSPREVAIL. Avoid the use ofradios, electronic games,bright lights, and other intru-sive devices. To some, tech-nology is a necessity even inwildlands. To others it’s inap-propriate. Avoid conflicts bymaking a conscious effort toallow everyone his or herown experience.

Some outdoor activitiesare necessarily loud. Forexample, the discharge offirearms can be heard formiles. As much as possible,keep the noise down, espe-cially at night or in remoteareas. Sight-in rifles on thefiring range. Teach dogs tobe quiet. Wear headphonesto listen to music. Use cellu-lar phones discreetly. Mostof all, tune in to the soundsof nature.



For us the wilderness and humanemptiness of this land is not asource of fear but the greatest ofits attractions. We would guard anddefend and save it as a place forall who wish to rediscover thenearly lost pleasures of adventure,adventure not only in the physicalsense, but also mental, spiritual,moral, aesthetic and intellectualadventure.

-Edward Abbey

Once considered a place to avoidbecause of its harsh environment,hordes of people now migrate toAmerica’s desert and canyon countryto ride bikes, tour national parks,drive jeeps, float down rivers, exam-ine ancient ruins, or climb in pastel-colored canyons.

We are part of these hordes. Likethousands of others, you and I visitthe desert because we need wildplaces. We need wild places to havean adventure. We need them to beeclipsed by the beauty and sheerpower of wind, water, rock, and thetenacity of life. Walking under tower-ing walls of creamy sandstone orthrough forests of twisted saguaro,we slow the pace of our lives andgain perspective on the things wetruly value. We feel, live and arerefreshed by the magic of the nat-ural world.

But our need for refreshmentand adventure is not withoutconsequence. The plants andanimals that flourish in America’sdeserts and canyons evolved overmillions of years to withstandblisteringly hot days and frigid

DESERTS AND CANYONS Wildland Ethic

nights, not the onslaught of humani-ty. Arid lands are fragile lands. A sin-gle footprint in cryptobiotic crustsmay take 50 years to recover. A paththrough desert pavement may beobvious for a thousand years. Ameri-ca’s deserts, as harsh and forbiddingas they may appear, are suffering as aresult of their popularity.

Once marred, the rock and ruinsfound in the desert won’t grow back.Even the plants take a long, longtime to recover from heavy hands.For many wildlife species, reproduc-tion depends on unimpeded access toclean water. For many people, asense of desert magic comes fromblue skies, silence, and lots and lotsof lonely space.

Those of us who feel the desert islike no other place on earth have aspecial responsibility to protect it. Weneed to make the ethical choice toLeave No Trace because it is a goodand right thing to do, not becauselaws or rules tell us to. We need tomake this choice to ensure that thereare seemingly untouched places forourselves and our children to explore.

Joshua tree



A FEW TERMS Defined

cryptobiotic soil crusts or cryptogam:Living cryptobiotic soil “crusts” con-taining mosses, lichens and algae.

desert pavement: A smooth veneer ofvarnished rocks embedded in the soil.

established campsite: Campsite madeobvious by devegetated ground or“barren core.”

invasive species: Plant or animal thataggressively out-competes nativespecies.

pristine: A place where signs ofhuman impacts are absent or difficultto detect.

social paths: Paths created by travel-ling on non-durable surfaces betweencampsites and other sites of interest.

switchback: A section of trail forminga zigzag pattern up a steep hillside.

Bureau of Land Management. 1996. Teaching Leave NoTrace: Activities to teach responsible backcountry skills.Salt Lake City, UT, USDI, Bureau of Land Management,Utah State Office.

Cilimburg, A., Monz, C. and Kehoe, S. 2000. WildlandRecreation and Human Waste: A review of problems,practices and concerns. Environmental Management25(6): 587-598.

Cole, D.N. 1989. Low-impact recreational practices forwilderness and backcountry. General Technical ReportINT-265. Ogden, UT, USDA, Forest Service, IntermountainForest and Range Experiment Station.

Douchette, J.E. and Cole, D.N 1993. Wilderness visitoreducation: Information about alternative techniques. Gen-eral Technical Report INT-295. Ogden, UT: USDA ForestService, Intermountain Research Station. 37p.

Hammitt, W.E. and Cole, D.N. 1998. Wildland Recreation:Ecology and Management, 2nd Edition. New York, NY:John Wiley.

Hampton, B. and Cole, D.N. 1995 Soft Paths, 2nd Edition.Harrisburg, PA, Stackpole Books.

Leung, Y.F. and Marion, J.L. 2000. Recreation and impactsand management in wilderness: A state-of-knowledgereview. In Cole, D.N., McCool, S.F., Borrie, W.T.,O’Loughlin, J., (comps), Proceedings: Wilderness Sciencein a Time of Change. Vol. 5, Proceedings RMRS-P-15-Vol-5. Ogden, UT, USDA Forest Service, Rocky MountainResearch Station.

Reisner, Marc, 1986. Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water, New York, NY, PenguinBooks.

ON THE WEB:

Marion, J.L. and Reid, S., 2001. Development of the U.S.Leave No Trace program: A historical perspective.www.LNT.org/history.html.

Tread Lightly!, Inc. 1-800-966-9900, www.treadlightly.org.

www.wilderness.net.

SELECTED REFERENCES:



Eric Chandler and John Robison, Canyonlands Field Institute, Moab, UT

Vergial Harp, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cabeza Prieta NationalWildlife Refuge, Ajo, AZ

Stew Jacobson, Bureau of Land Management, Salt Lake City, UT

Rob Jones, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

John Neeling, U.S. Forest Service, North Kaibab Ranger District, Fredonia, AZ

Dave Pacheco, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA)Salt Lake City, UT

Scott Reid, LNT Inc, Boulder, CO

Barbara Rohde, Nevada State Parks Regional Visitor Center, Panaca, NV

Janet Ross, Four Corners School of Outdoor Education, Monticello, UT

Joe Shannon, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff AZ

Craig Sorenson, Bureau of Land Management, Escalante Grand StaircaseNational Monument, Escalante, UT

JimTuck, National Park Service, Flagstaff, AZ

Dave Wash, Bureau of Land Management, California DesertConservation Area, Ridgecrest, CA

Bruce Winslow, National Park Service, Kolob Canyon, Zion National Park, UT

Written by Molly Absolon

Illustrations by Jacque Devaud and Scott Knauer

Cover Photo: Carl Yarbrough Photography

MANY Thanks

The Leave No Trace educational program promotes skillsand ethics to support the sustainable use of wildlands and natural areas. The concept originated in the U.S. as a way tohelp recreationists minimize their impacts while enjoying theoutdoors. In 1991, the U.S. Forest Service teamed with theNational Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and theBureau of Land Management as partners in the Leave NoTrace educational program. NOLS, a recognized leader inminimum-impact camping practices, became involved as theprovider of Leave No Trace materials and training.

Today, the non-profit organization The Leave No TraceCenter for Outdoor Ethics, established in 1994, manages thenational program. The Center unites four federal landmanagement agencies—the U.S. Forest Service, NationalPark Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish andWildlife Service—with manufacturers, outdoor retailers, user groups, educators, and individuals who share acommitment to maintain and protect our wildlands andnatural areas for future enjoyment.

Humans need to know about wildplaces, to experience them andunderstand the rhythms they follow.We need to contemplate our placewithin these wildlands, to discernwhat it is that draws us there. Weneed to carry with us an ethic thatrecognizes the value of wild places,and acknowledges our responsibilityto treat them with respect, and applygood judgement as we visit and travelwithin them. We need to care for wildplaces as if they were our homesbecause, in many ways, they are. To dothis is good for us, it’s good for thosewho will surely follow, and it’s goodfor the wild places, wherever theymay be found.

Contact land management agenciesand groups in your area and see howyou can help. Be active in the planningand management of areas that areimportant to you. Volunteer for trailclean ups and maintenance, habitatrestoration efforts, and public educa-tion programs, or organize them foryour local area. Get involved and letyour opinions on land use be known.Support wildlands and sustainablerecreation.

Information on obtaining LeaveNo Trace curriculum materials,courses and trainings is availableby calling 800-332-4100 or visitingthe extensive Leave No Tracewebsite: www.LNT.org.

A FINAL Challenge

NOTES

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Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor EthicsPO Box 997

Boulder, Colorado 80306http://www.LNT.org

©Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics/National Outdoor Leadership SchoolLeave No Trace Skills & Ethics Series

Published 4/01

For more Leave No Trace information or to order materials,call1-800-332-4100 or visit www.LNT.org.

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DESERTS AND CANYONS

S K I L L S & E T H I C S

Volumes available in the Leave No Trace Skills and Ethics Series Alaska Wildlands

CavingDeserts and Canyons

FishingHorse Use

Lakes RegionMountain Biking

North AmericaNortheast Mountains

Pacific NorthwestRock Climbing

Rocky MountainsSea KayakingSierra Nevada

SoutheastWestern River Corridors

deserts and canyons · 2020. 10. 5. · sierra nevada southeast western river corridors. ... humans...

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