[pct-l] Problems on the PCT/cattle & horse manure/ pathogens

Mon Oct 1 22:55:44 CDT 2012

Boris,

Cattle are not allowed in the three National Parks through which the JMT passes. 

This summer, beginning July 20, I rode my one horse (no pack animal) north starting from the Cottonwood Pack Station in Horseshoe Meadows. When I reached the JMT west of Whitney, I followed it all the way to Yosemite Valley, which I reached on August 15. I saw no cattle. Surprisingly, I remember passing only two pack strings during the entire distance. (Except on the "STOCK ONLY" trail south of Little Yosemite Valley that I followed down to the Stable in Y.V. - on that stretch I came upon three pack strings heading up from Yosemite Valley.) I didn't notice much in the way of the excessive horse manure that you describe on the rest of the JMT. (Being a rider, I did not have to pay close attention to the tread - my horse did that while I could look at the incredible scenery. Sometimes I do dismount and walk - didn't notice much horse poop then either). On July 24 I rode across Forester Pass. I think that I was the first equestrian to ride
 over Forester Pass this summer. I was always looking for horse sign. None. The Packers tend to avoid most of the high passes that are on the JMT.  That was what I have learned in talking to several Packers. Since the Pack Station in Onion Valley was closed, I had descended down Bubbs Creek to the Pack Station in Cedar Grove for the first if my two resupplies, the other being VVR. The C.G. pack station mostly bring customers up on trails above Cedar Grove, including Bubbs Creek and Woods Creek. Since grazing is prohibited in the Rae Lakes area, and Glen Pass is very difficult for stock. they don't bring customers on the Rae Lakes Loop. As I continued north to Tuolumne Meadows, I saw just the two pack strings that I have mentioned. When I reached the Horse Camp at T. M., there were several Back Country Horsemen with about 10 horses (I am a member, and they helped me celebrate, with wine and a delicious BBQ steak dinner - in reaching Tuomumne I
 had finally completed the PCT. It has taken me four years). The BCH were camping and mostly socializing there and also taking day rides. They were very hospitable to me - a stranger to them. 

Pathogens.  Since cattle are not permitted (this has been effectively enforced) in the National Parks or Wilderness areas through which the JMT Passes, cattle manure is not a problem there. I do remember encountering cattle on other parts of the PCT. One must be very cautious about water sources anywhere around cattle. Their manure is very high in pathogens. Two other animals whose fecal material is high in pathogens are humans and dogs. Dogs are not allowed on the JMT - so they are not a concern.  Horse manure is not a significant source of pathogens. Their digestive system is very different from that of cattle. Cattle have three stomachs. With horses, just one - they are not very efficient, it is just "thruput" - they just eat grass, which is processed and pooped out. Several University studies have been done on the subject. The conclusion is that horse manure is not a significent health threat to humans. You can verify this yourself on the
 web.  Now we come to humans as a source of pathogens. During my JMT journey this summer, riding NOBO, I passed about 500 JMT thru-hikers. All of those were hiking SOBO, most had started in Yosemite Valley. It was interesting that most that I talked to were going to climb Whitney and would be camping (last camp) at Guitar Lake. The JMT hikers that I met were from all over the world, including even one group of about 10 young people from South Korea who did not speak English. They were fascinated seeing my horse. Some of the young girls wanted to touch (pet) my horse. I was delighted to meet them. 

When you have something like 500 hikers on the JMT, who I passed during just 27 days, there will be a problem of sanitation - water sources will become contaminated. Does everyone always do a proper job locating and digging their cat holes? I have observed human fecal material on the surface. I have also seen toilet paper on the surface. I have taken the time to bury both. The offenders were obviously not PCT thrus. They were most likely weekenders. But it is also true that sanitation will sometimes be compromised - simply camping in a heavily used location, going for a swim or washing your hands in a pond, lake, or stream, as many PCT hikers do, can pollute it, adding pathogens to the water. I always try to camp alone, well off the PCT (or JMT) with my horse to avoid high-use places. I take my solar showers well away from water sources - and I have gravity-fed running water at camp side from the faucet of my solar water heater. I do not use soap
 to do my laundry while living on the trail. I mostly live on the trail because I cannot hitch into towns with a horse. I wash imy clothes using a plastic scrubber pad, in my horse bucket so as not to pollute water sources. I resupply myself by driving ahead and caching. When I leave a horse camp I scatter the poop. I do not, and will not, use a diaper. That idea is impractical and unnecessary. Lately, while on the JMT, I have started packing my TP out, keeping it stored in an OPsak. That works.

MendoRider-Hiker

________________________________
 From: Boris Trgovcich <btrgovcich at yahoo.com>
To: Inga Aksamit <iaksamit at aol.com>; "pct-l at backcountry.net" <pct-l at backcountry.net> 
Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2012 3:00 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Problems on the PCT

Inga,

Thank you for understanding what I am trying to say.  I am writing because I care about the environment and the PCT.  It is a beautiful place for which many people fought very hard to establish for our enjoyment.  It is OUR DUTY to leave it a better place than we found it.  

I simply want the Forest Service and the National Park service to enforce their own regulations applicable to National Parks and the designated Wilderness areas.  I welcome horses on the PCT and their droppings from the recreational PCT horse riders.  However, what I have seen on the JMT is mostly the result of commercial, for profit operations.  I am also fine with their presence (they do often provide a vital service) but something has to be done about manure overload on that section of the trail. 

Cows do not belong in the National Parks or the designated Wilderness areas and government regulations are quite clear about
 that. 

________________________________
From: Inga Aksamit <iaksamit at aol.com>
To: pct-l at backcountry.net 
Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2012 12:07 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Problems on the PCT

Wow, I'm surprised at all the negative energy directed at Boris, who was just expressing an opinion and providing a suggestion of officials that can be contacted if people so desire, which I personally appreciated. I am completely at peace with the *wild* animals on the trails, who leave interesting droppings every now and then that allow us to try an identify them and what they are eating. That's very different from the numerous piles of stinking, fly-ridden piles of manure that line the JMT and HST. I've hiked on trails throughout the Western U.S., BC, Alaska and the
 Yukon, and never have my husband and I been so put off as we were when confronted several times a day by such a volume of manure. I've never minded sharing the trail with horses and mules and appreciate their beauty and usefulness, but it's a matter of volume. These are not wild animals, and you must admit that it's ironic that humans have to use wagbags in the Whitney Zone while stepping
over large amounts poo
p from animals who are there with humans.

Inga

********

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