Striving for Minimum Impact

How's Your Horse Packing Sense?
You've packed the finest horses and mules, explored every ridge in the National Forests around your home, and used your favorite spots every year. The problem is, most good campsites even in remote places, are used all season. Careless use often results in polluted creeks, campsites covered with ash and beat to dust, trampled tree roots, and overgrazed meadows.
Since more people visit the backcountry every year, we'd like to remind you of a few simple ways to lower your impacts in the backcountry. Let's take a look...
Minimum Impact Philosophy: Disguise the sight and sound of your passage, leaving no sign that you were ever there.

Planning

Before You Go Information
Before you go, contact local land managers for maps, regulations and opportunities fo concerning permits, campfire, party size, grazing, weed-seed-free feed, trail conditions and closures, and more. Make alternate plans in case of bad weather. r your area(s), information and rules

Physical Fitness
It's easier to travel outdoors when both you and your animals are in shape for the trip.


Stock
Our stock: Which animal leads best? Which ones follow better? Which is the slowest traveler? The slowest animal determines the speed of the pack string. Are they familiar with trails, packing, and with the equipment you plan to use? Get your animals used to highlines, pickets, hobbles, and various temporary corrals before you go.

Bear Safety
If you plan to pack in bear country, especially grizzly country, make sure you obtain and understand special safety and food storage regulations. Be aware of where bears live, eat, and travel. Food odors can attract hungry or curious bears and other animals too, so it is important to store your food properly. In some areas, this means using bear-proof boxes and panniers.

Feed

Supplemental Feed
Don't get caught unprepared when you find your favorite grassy meadow is dry or overgrazed. Plan to take supplemental feed and get your stock used to it at home. Ask local land managers about available grazing and restrictions, so you know how much supplemental feed to bring and where to camp.