Eldorado National Forest

Recreational Activities

Leave No Trace - Wilderness Ethics

Please become familiar with and practice Leave No Trace skills whenever you travel outdoors, and especially when you visit wilderness areas. Some of the principles of the national Leave No Trace program which apply to Desolation and Mokelumne Wilderness Areas are:

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Respect Wildlife
6. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
7. Minimize Campfire Impacts*

Additional considerations or regulations to help minimize impacts include:

• Stay on trails to reduce erosion and avoid trampling fragile vegetation next to the trail.
• Make camps at least 100' (70-80 paces) and do all washing at least 200' (100 paces) from all water sources or trails. Increased distances may apply in restoration areas.
• *Open campfires are prohibited in Desolation. In the Mokelumne they are prohibited above 8,000 feet, in the Carson Pass Management Area and within one-quarter mile of Salt Springs Reservoir along the Blue Hole Trail. Use portable camp stoves only!
• When campfires are allowed, keep the fire small and always use materials which are small enough to burn completely. Avoid scarring rocks and granite. Disperse all traces of your fire before you leave. When appropriate, use existing campfire rings instead of building new ones.
• Pack out your trash and any other litter that you see.
• Bury human waste six to eight inches deep at least 200' (100 paces) from lakes, streams, campsites, and trails. Toilet paper must be packed out or buried.
• Dogs should be on a leash at all times to be considerate to other visitors and to protect wildlife. Please bury canine waste.
• Recreational livestock must be held or confined more than 100' from other campsites and more than 200' from lakes and streams.
• Enjoy the sounds of nature. Leave radios and tape players at home. Please reserve cellular phone and two-way radio communication for emergency use only.
• Violators are subject to fines.

USDA Forest Service - Eldorado National Forest
Last Modified: Tuesday, 04 January 2005 at 16:23:12 EST