Ridiculous

[maverick]

They posted these same violations just a few years back in the exact same location. Really?
Why the hell do people build a fire ring, which is not even allowed there, right on the shore of the lake?

Inyo NF:

WILDERNESS ETHICS AND IMPACTS REMINDER
As summer recreational activities are in full effect, we’d like to take a moment to highlight an example of how “not” to practice Leave No Trace in our Wilderness areas.
There has been an increasing amount of Leave No Trace (LNT) violations all over the forest, however the North Fork Trail at Big Pine Creek within the John Muir Wilderness has been especially hit hard. Here are some reminders of not only LNT ethics but also forest regulations while recreating in the wilderness:

A valid Forest Service Wilderness Permit is REQUIRED to camp in the wilderness. This requirement allows people to experience solitude and have a true wilderness experience, reduces impacts to the flora and fauna, and enhances wilderness character. Please help the Inyo National Forest implement the 1964 Wilderness Act by following this law.

Campfires are not allowed in many areas of the forest, including the North Fork of Big Pine Creek in accordance to the current fire restrictions and John Muir Wilderness fire restrictions. These restrictions are in place to protect our sensitive subalpine and alpine forests, where dead and downed wood is essential to keep nutrients in the ecosystem. Campfires can leave behind scarring on rocks, and often they are not put out thus increasing risk of forest fires. To see our current fire restrictions, visit our Alerts & Closures page: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/inyo/alerts-notices

Camp at least 100 feet away from any lakeshore, stream, or National Forest System Trail. This protects water quality and solitude for others.
You may see campsites right next to the water, but please do your absolute best to use any other site in the area that is less impactful. You are NOT required to camp at the site you chose in the drop-down choice on Rec.gov.

Go to the bathroom at least 100 feet from water and trails, and bury waste 6-8” deep. Pack out toilet paper, or better yet use a backcountry bidet. Please pack a wag bag just in case you are in an area where the ground is too hard to dig, or the soil is granitic or comprised of rock.

Store food properly. Containers designed to prevent access by bears (such as a bear canister) are the best method for storing food in the wilderness. This method protects both bears and other wildlife from becoming habituated to people, and protects people from disease carried by wildlife and negative wildlife interactions.

We recommend this method over counter-balancing your food because it's not always possible and the scraggly trees and branches are hard to work with.
Areas where food storage containers are required: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/recreation/...
Help keep our forest clean and safe for everyone to enjoy!

To read more about safety and ethics for your next wilderness trip, click here: www.fs.usda.gov/main/inyo/learning/safety-ethics

To watch a more detailed description of the 7 LNT Principles, click here: www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/ ... 05695.html

[dave54]

Toiletting should be 100 feet from the high water mark, not just the current water edge. Late summer in drought year could have a large distance from the water edge to the normal shoreline. When the lake or creek refills in a wet year, your toilet could become a lot closer to the edge, or even underwater. In the desert the high water mark could be a quarter mile or more from the current trickle.

The other point in the desert is keep your camp a good distance from springs and ponds -- 200 yards or more. That may be the only water source within many miles, and your presence is keeping wildlife away.

The campfire ban above the timberline exists for a reason. Because of the short growing season, very little dead and down wood is available to decompose into soil, and the decomposition can take decades (summer is too dry for decomposition to occur, and winter is frozen. There are only a few weeks in spring and fall when decomposition happens). The wood you burn in the campfire is robbing the soil of future nutrients.