by Eric Fies, Leave No Trace Master Educator
Be strong everyone! Spring will be here soon enough! Warmer weather and longer days mean more hours communing with nature and miles on scenic trails. Each step into the wilderness reveals new life blooming and pressing through the wintery layers that will, in time, return the lush thickness we all so much enjoy. This fragile beginning demands we practice our Leave No Trace skills with precision and certainty to support and protect the delicate growth as it matures.
Springtime trail conditions can be sketchy and snowmelt and rains will undoubtedly create messy puddles. Remember to exercise Leave No Trace Principle #2: Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces. Avoid navigating around the mud as this practice is highly contagious and creates significant erosion and unnecessary trail widening. Deadfalls and forest debris are also prevalent during this time of year and, as diligent trail crews make their way out to clear the path, inexperienced hikers tend to negotiate these obstacles by creating bypass paths, cutting through and damaging new growth. Be safe and stick to the trail as best as possible.
Wildlife will also be making a debut, emerging from their winter homes and heading to warmer weather haunts. Be respectful and observe from a distance. Do not feed the animals or camp in areas with prevalent game trails. Give animals engaged in springtime merry-making plenty of space and be mindful of aggressive and unusual behaviors exhibited by many animals looking for a mate or with young. This is especially important when hiking with your pet and you should keep dogs leashed at all times.
Building campfires should be avoided whenever possible. When needed, keep campfires small and use the 4-D’s when collecting firewood: only collect DEAD wood, DOWN on the forest floor, DISTANT from your camp and established trails, and more DINKY than your forearm. Always return the campfire and your campsite to the pristine state you found it and be respectful of other visitor’s experiences.
As Spring approaches and the trails call to you, brush up on your Leave No Trace knowledge and consider refreshing those first aid skills, as well. Share your love of the outdoors and take time to educate those you meet out there that may not be as well prepared. Recognize the considerable work trail crews do each year to ensure safe and clear passage and be sure to find a way to thank them for their efforts. Keep doing your part to spread the word about outdoor ethics and develop a sense of stewardship in everyone you meet. Nature will thank you every season with something new and amazing to enjoy.
Be safe and explore responsibly!
Learn more at www.explorenorthstar.com!
Note: The member-driven Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics teaches people how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Any copyrighted information has been reprinted with permission from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org