Rocky Mountains Warnings Or Dangers

Pack your trash. Put litter in trash cans or carry it home. Use bathrooms or outhouses when available. If you have to go act like a cat and bury poop in a small hole 4-8 inches deep and 100 big steps from water. Place your toilet paper in a plastic bag and put the bag in a garbage can back home. Keep water clean. Do no put soap, food, or poop in lakes or streams.

Carry out all the trash you hike with. Animals may try to eat discarded litter. Garbage attracts bears; keep a clean campsite. Litter can also entangle or trap wildlife, especially fishing line.

Use a camp stove for cooking. It's easier to cook on and clean up than a fire. Be sure it's okay to build a campfire in the area you're visiting. Use an exisiting fire ring to protect the ground from heat. Keep your fire small. Remember, campfires are not for trash or food. Do not snap branches off live, dead, or downed trees. Instead, collect loose sticks from the ground. Burn all wood to ash and be sure that fire is completely out and cold before you leave. It was sad to see the fireweeds instead of forests all over the Yukon and Alaska. Forest fires are serious problems all over the State.

Observe animals from a distance and never approach, feed or follow them! Human food is unhealthy for all animals and feeding them starts bad habits. Protect wildlife and your food by storing your meals and trash. Control pets at all times or leave them at home. Avoid shouting, gesturing or otherwise disturbing animals. Never throw anything, including snowballs, at wild animals. Don’t get carried away with camera shots and do not corner wildlife. If an animal shows signs of being disturbed (ears back, eyes bugged out, hackled back, or alarm cries), give it lots of room.