In the News

Enjoy the Backcountry – and Take Care of It!
date posted: June 9 2003

One of the great joys of living in or visiting Tahoe in summer and fall is hiking, picnicking, and camping in the wide variety of exceptionally beautiful terrain. We not only have dozens of good USDA Forest Service and Nevada State Park trails, but also the world famous Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) and the newly completed, 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT), which circles the ridge tops around the lake. The TRT follows the route of the PCT from Meiss Meadows in the southeast to Twin Peaks, near Sunnyside, where it heads north and then east around Lake Tahoe.

Part of the experience of enjoying trails at Tahoe is learning to abide by the “Leave No Trace” principles, and to tread lightly on the land. Though the Tahoe Basin is not a national park, its backcountry has many of the same attributes, such as pristine streams, lakes and wet meadows, rock gardens, archeological wonders, weathered cliffs and rock formations, and limited stands of old-growth or ancient forests. Just as we need to be watershed stewards to protect our lake’s water quality, we need to learn and practice principles that will protect our natural areas and backcountry for future generations.

The following is a condensed list of the Leave No Trace principles for backcountry use:

Plan Ahead and Prepare: Whenever venturing into the backcountry, take what you will need to be safe. Always take drinking water or a water filter, wet-weather gear, and a first-aid kit.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow. Protect riparian areas by camping or picnicking at least 200 feet from lakes, streams, or wet meadows. Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites. Walk in the middle of the trail, and do not use or establish shortcuts. Keep campsites small, and focus activity on areas without vegetation. Avoid using pristine areas where impacts are just beginning.

Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack it in; pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter. This includes solid waste from pets. Deposit solid human waste in “cat holes” dug 6 inches to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise cat holes when finished. Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products. To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes, and use small amounts of biodegradable soap (found in the camping section of stores). Scatter strained dishwater.

Leave What You Find: Preserve the past. Examine, but do not touch or take cultural or historic structures or artifacts. Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them. Avoid introducing or transporting nonnative species. Do not build structures or furniture or dig trenches.

Minimize Campfire Impacts: Campfires can cause lasting impact to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light. Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires. Keep fires small; only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand. Put out campfires completely, and then scatter the cool ashes.

Respect Wildlife: Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach animals, and never feed them. Feeding wildlife alters natural behaviors and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Always store your food and trash in a totally secure manner. Control pets at all times, or leave them at home. Avoid wildlife entirely during sensitive times, such as mating, nesting, raising young, and during winter.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors: Be courteous and yield to other users on the trail. Be sure to respect restrictions on trail use. For example, the PCT and wilderness areas are off limits to mountain bikes and all other vehicles. When riding your bike, ride in the middle of trails, and limit soil erosion. Avoid skidding your tires. Learn to use both brakes.
When on trails, such as parts of the TRT where multiple uses are allowed, observe these rules of the road: Both bicyclists and hikers yield to horses (step to the downhill side of the trail). Bicyclists also yield to hikers.

To learn more about these principles or the Tread Lightly Pledge, check out the Leave No Trace Web site at www.lnt.org. The TRT Web site is www.tahoerimtrail.org.

Watch for “The Lake Tahoe Report” in the Tahoe World each Thursday, and tune in to KOLO-TV News Channel 8 Tuesdays at 5 p.m. to learn more. Next week, learn about the Tahoe-Baikal Institute, where local educators are working with teachers and scientists in Russia to teach young people about lakes and create international understanding. “The Lake Tahoe Report” is a collaborative effort of the Lake Tahoe Environmental Education Coalition, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, UC Davis and the USDA Forest Service. For more information, contact Heather Segale, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, (775) 832-4138, or logon to www.lteec.org or www.unce.unr.edu.