These suggested guidelines will help make hiking a safe and pleasant experience for everyone:
Park your car well off the road and away from private driveways.
Stay on the trail. Taking a cutoff on a switchback trail will cause increased erosion. Making a detour around a muddy patch will destroy vegetation.
When hiking above the treeline, stay off the fragile alpine moss, lichen and wildflowers.
Keep off private property. Landowners often give permission for the trail to pass over their land and may revoke that privilege if people stray all over their land.
Some parks do not allow dogs because they may run off and chase the wildlife. If you do take your dog hiking, make certain that it stays under control and clean up after it.
Avoid hiking when the trails are wet, especially in the early spring, as this can lead to trail erosion.
A fire should only be started if you are camping and it is in a special camp fire container. Fires are not permitted when the forest fire index is high.
If you smoke, make certain that your cigarette is completely extinguished when you are finished and carry the butt out with you.
When nature calls, go off the trail and keep at least 100 yards from streams and lakes to avoid contaminating the water. Bury your toilet paper and feces several inches deep.
Pack out any garbage that you have brought with you.
Leave nothing behind--not even footprints.
Take nothing except photographs. Leave wildflowers and other plants for others to enjoy.
Don't feed the wildlife. Increasing a species' food supply can disturb the balance of nature.
When meeting a horseback rider, step off to the right of the trail and stand still until the rider passes. Any fast movement may frighten the horse.
Don't throw rocks or anything else over the side of mountains--they may strike someone passing below.
See Wilderness Tips for more information on how to prepare for an outing and how to avoid mishaps.
