Hikes Leaders Take Note!

Groups of Ten or Less In National Forest Wilderness Areas!

By Tom Rodd

The following is a message I received by e-mail. It contains valuable information about outings in the Monongahela National Forest Wilderness Areas. Please take heed.

May 1, 2000

Hi Tom,

Just noticed your picture in the April edition of Highlands Voice. I certainly hope it was taken outside the Wilderness boundary, because there are 12 people in that picture. And I hope that you split your group while the hike through the Wilderness was taking place. I'm sure you know that large groups have a large impact on the physical and wildlife resources of any area, not to mention the social impacts on other visitors. We are trying to manage our all Wildernesses to minimize human-caused changes to the environment, in accordance with the 1964 Wilderness Act and the 1975 Eastern Wilderness Act. That’s why we no longer clear the trails, have closed some campsites, and have a 10 person group size limit in all of our Mon Forest Wildernesses. This limit has been in effect since the 1986 passage of our Forest Plan. The other management activities, such as changing the trail clearing standards and campsite closings have been implemented gradually during the last 10 years.

Since many people get their first hiking and camping experiences with groups such as yours, it is very important that you use your knowledge, experience, and personal example to teach them how to enjoy our natural resources without harming them. After all, the whole idea is to enjoy nature, not to see large patches of ground denuded of vegetation or to have what seems to be the populace of a small city descending upon one. Seeing wildlife during a hike is a treat, but most animals are smart enough to get out of the way when they hear a large group coming. If we are truly going to protect these areas as "an enduring resource of Wilderness," everyone needs to take part. Please help Leave No Trace. If you need or want more information on the National Wilderness Preservation System or Leave No Trace, check out the websites at wilderness.net and lnt.org.

Oh, and, by the way, if you are charging folks to lead them on a trip, remember that you need a special use permit. Apply early - these take time to process.

Thanks!

Linda White
Forester/Wilderness Manager
Cheat-Potomac Ranger District
Monongahela National Forest
lmwhite@fs.fed.us
 

 Tom Rodd comments: Linda White’s e-mail makes important points, and I'm glad it came. I don’t know what is the legal/recommended distance between hiking groups of ten or less in Wilderness areas -- can anyone help with this information? Until this is clarified, I suggest at least 500 yards -- or if you are bad at guessing distances, why not just use your nose to detect when you are approaching too close to a separate grouping of recreationists? By the way, there is no charge for any Mon-Athon 2000 activity. See you in the Mon -- YOUR National Forest !