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Camp
Keeping it Clean
At last, you've found your spot. Hmm, looks like other people like this place, too. Some areas receive lots of visitors, and they don't all follow the 'pack it in, Pack it Out" philosophy. Should you stay here and clean it up, or let the next person take care of it? You've decided to improve your site? Good for you!
Like most people, you enjoy campsite privacy and solitude. Where should you put stock and gear? You can follow the "200-foot guideline": keep stock and gear at least 200 feet from the nearest lakes and streams, meadows, trails, and other camps. In designated Wilderness, this is a requirement which helps keep streams and lakes clean, protects the soil and plantlife, and keeps trails and campsites clear of loose stock It's helpful to follow it in all areas.
Tips to Remember in Camp:
Picking a Spot: Select an open, well drained, level spot. In Wilder areas, you must follow the 200-foot guideline. Rotate stock throughout the area to reduce trampling and prevent overgrazing.
Soaps and Detergents: For washing chores, use a basin at least 200 feet from water sources. Water plants and fish are extremely sensitive to soap, even biodegradable soap, and can die from it.
Cleaning up: To prevent contaminating water sources with stock or human waste, dump it at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Use biodegradable, unscented, white toilet paper. Bury human waste and toilet paper in a small "cat hole" in the top 6 to 8 inches of soil, or use a latrine for large parties or long stays. Cover your latrine completely.
Campfires: Where fires are allowed, we all enjoy the romance of a campfire. However, campfires sterilize the soil, blacken rocks, and leave long-lasting scars on the land. Build them where campfires were previously built. Keep your fires small, attend them while burning, and let them burn down to a fine ash; then stir, scatter or pack out ashes according to local practice for that site.
Fire Pans and Cookstoves are good alternatives to traditional campfires. Fires built in fire pans are similar to campfires on the ground, but cause Iess damage. You can also use a cookstove instead of a fire: it's light, convenient, and reduces impacts to the land.
Structures: Rock walls, log benches, lean-tos, and other structures detract from and needlessly impact the natural landscape. If you need temporary structures, bring lightweight equipment with you.
Breaking Camp: Pack it in, Pack it Out
Pack out all refuse, burned cans, unburned campfire debris, and garbage - including food scraps, grease, aluminum foil, and paper.
Burn
what
trash
you
can.
Burying
garbage
or
burning
aluminum
foil
is
not
an
acceptable
disposal
method
and
is
illegal
in
some
locations.
Break up and scatter horse manure and fill in pawed holes.
Finally, scatter a covering of needles and cones over the site
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