After many summers of going into Chicago Basin as a trail ambassador, I’ve come to the conclusion that something must be done to lessen the impact of all the backpack users. The train lets off 40 users each day. This year, we saw more toilet paper stuffed under rocks, full wag bags stuck in trees (I suppose the user will carry it out on their way down like dog poop bags, huh?) and more social trails to camps than ever before.
It’s time for the San Juan National Forest to make designated campsites and have them up for the lottery on rec.gov. Other forests like Maroon bells and Conundrum hot springs do this with much success. Also, let’s make a couple of composting outhouses.
As I have traveled in other wildernesses around the U.S. and Canada, there are nice outhouses built out of rocks in remote high-use areas. The peaks around Chicago Basin are some of the best in the country, but like many other places, we are loving it to death.
Bill Koons
Durango
