Mid-winter is a good time to consider how we can enjoy the outdoors without loving Arizona to death.

Here are 7 principles for appreciating Arizona and traveling in a responsible and sustainable way: 

1. Plan ahead and prepare
2. Stick to trails
3. Trash your trash
4. Leave what you find
5. Be careful with fire
6. Respect wildlife
7. Share the outdoors

You are probably already complying with this list to some degree. Minimizing our impact on the environment is simply being good stewards of the land by embedding good habits in all of our outdoor activities. For more information about the best practices see the web sites of Arizona Office of Tourism, Arizona State Parks and Trails, and Arizona Game and Fish. Horseback riders will find additional tips from the Back Country Horsemen.

Planning and preparing may be as simple as deciding which trail to hike and re-filling your water pack before stepping out your back door. Or it might be as complex as planning how the water and sanitation needs of all the people and animals in your group will be met while dry camping at an undeveloped site 200 miles from home. Being prepared needs to include back-up plans and flexibility. Mountain weather doesn’t obey forecasts. The temperature can drop 30 degrees in a matter of minutes as a storm moves in. Temperature swings of 40 degrees between day and night are common in the White Mountains and so are strong, gusty winds. Your cell phone may not work. Fire, flood, or windfallen trees may have closed your favorite campsite or blocked your favorite trail. Drought has dried up ponds, streams, and springs. Internet research is useful for pre-planning and making reservations. The Visitor Center or Forest Service office closest to your destination will have paper maps and the most current information.

Travel and camp on durable surfaces and stick to the trails. What is a durable surface? Rocks, sand, gravel, cinders, snow, and solidly frozen ground. Meadows are fragile. Going off trail or beside the existing trail widens the trail tread, increases erosion, and damages plants, tree roots, and the soil itself. In the White Mountains the trail may stick to you when it’s wet and muddy because our volcanic soil has a high percentage of clay in it. That clay dries out quickly, preserving every footprint and wheel track into ankle twisting lumps until the next storm turns it into mud again. When trails are muddy, consider them closed until they dry out. Yes, it is can be hard to tell when a trail is too muddy to use because shaded areas stay muddy much longer than open areas that are exposed to sun and wind. When in doubt, use a cindered road or paved trail instead.

Pack trash out and dispose of it properly. This simply means taking home everything you brought with you that includes: aluminum cans, plastic bottles and their caps, utensils, cups and plates, banana peels, apple cores, straws, juice boxes, facial tissue, napkins, paper towels, ponytail holders, fishing line, cigarette butts, and cash. If you’ve ever participated in picking up litter, you’re acquainted with the strange things people leave behind. Pick up after your dog too, even in the Forest. Use outhouses and restrooms and if there are none, learn to dig a cathole and properly bury human waste.

Leave artifacts, rocks, and vegetation where you find them. Take away only memories and photos. Yes, there are places and times when gathering plants, cutting wood, collecting rocks, fishing and hunting are permitted. Obtain the requisite licenses, permits, and permissions before you go, then abide by the rules. In Arizona, hunting and fishing license fees pay for wildlife management.

The White Mountains have been scarred by the two largest wildfires in Arizona history. The Wallow fire was started by a campfire in 2011. The Chediski fire was started by an unprepared trespasser in 2002. We have had several smaller wildfires as well so the residents are very wary of fires. Expect fire restrictions or total bans in June and early July. Don’t start a fire in windy weather at any time of year. If you do light a campfire when fires are permitted be sure to use designated fire rings or grills. Don’t burn trash. Don’t leave a fire until it is totally out and all the ash is cold enough to touch. When you can’t have a fire, battery operated lanterns can be used for evening story-telling and singing. Cooking over a propane camp stove works well and you can toast marshmallows with one. The only time a campfire is totally safe is when it’s too wet to light one.

It’s exciting to see wild animals, but don’t try to catch them or pet them. Keep dogs on leashes to protect both the dog and the wildlife. Watch and photograph wildlife from a distance. The rule of thumb is that if you hold your thumb up at arm’s length and it completely covers the animal, you are far enough away. Animals often see us and leave before we see them but you and a wild animal may surprise each other at close range. When that happens, Stop! Give the animal a clear escape route away from you. Don’t follow it when it flees. If you find animal babies, do not touch. Do move away from the area promptly. The animal parents are nearby worrying about you being in their nursery. Injured wildlife, animals that do not fear humans, and animals that behave strangely should be reported to Game and Fish or a Park Ranger.



Share the outdoors by being considerate of others. Someone else’s choice of activities will be different from yours, but we’re all out to enjoy nature, relax, and rejuvenate. When we practice good outdoor ethics and good manners, we minimize conflicts and protect the environment for our future use and enjoyment.