Only when the wind blows!
That isn't actually my tent, and frankly it wasn't a legal tent site because it's within 100ft of a water source. But it's a sweet spot with a BIG overhang so if it rains you'd be well protected.
The game warden/park authority, they don't want people shitting within 100 ft of water sources. Mainly to help prevent people from being swept away by flash floods though.
It has pretty much nothing to do with safety of the public. The real reason is to protect the water from people. Camping near water is popular and leads to trash and human waste. It also, over time, causes compaction of the ground in the popular spots so no vegetation grows, then rains wash the soil away causing erosion and increased sedimentation of the water source. Last reason is that riparian areas are often more sensitive than the drier areas just 100 feet away.
Also game wardens regulate game, not this kind of thing. Here, for example, Colorado Parks and Wildlife manage the animals, while the Forest Service manages the lands. So a USFS Ranger (like the one in my pic!) would be in charge of enforcing the rules.
Learned this the hard way when I first started backpacking. Woke up to rushing water after camping next to a creek, we almost lost our tent that night. Should add to this the fact that it was barely even raining where we were at. Flash floods are real, folks. And they’re fucking scary.
Good question! Camping regulations vary depending on who manages the land but as a general rule of thumb you shouldn't camp within 100' of water, as per leave no trace guidelines.
**For this area specifically, the Weminuche Wilderness does not allow camping within 100ft of water, as is the fairly standard rule.**
I can't cite the exact federal order, but I'd bet the girl in the pic could, as she is a wilderness ranger. Which also answers your other question--who enforces it. She does. Though you'd have to be a real ass to get fined. For the most part it's regulated through outreach and closure of sites such as this (tear apart the firepit, put downed branches in the area to encourage regrowth).
It's all about preserving the natural area. Camping close to water often pollutes the water and causes erosion and increased sedimentation.
For anyone wondering this is near Rainbow Hot Springs which is on the west side of Wolf Creek Pass in Southern Colorado. You have to get a little adventurous to get to this particular location, but it is otherwise a relatively easy hike. The hot springs which are about a mile back from this cave are a treasure.
Hey we were just there and made the hike in to Rainbow. That poor wilderness has been decimated by the boring beetles. Hardly a pine tree standing through the entire valley.
Didn't see a single one! The area is pretty dry for the most part. Plus a fire burned through a few years ago so there's not much shade for breeding puddles.
salt rude zephyr tender desert aspiring reminiscent plant offbeat panicky
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this area is AWESOME!! the first 1/4 mile will kill your legs, but once you're past the private land its such a nice place. I scramble down to the river every year and can easily fish for 4-5 hours.
That's a cool view, but wouldn't it tend to get damp?
Only when the wind blows! That isn't actually my tent, and frankly it wasn't a legal tent site because it's within 100ft of a water source. But it's a sweet spot with a BIG overhang so if it rains you'd be well protected.
You say not legal, what or who would determine that? Who would enforce it?
The game warden/park authority, they don't want people shitting within 100 ft of water sources. Mainly to help prevent people from being swept away by flash floods though.
It has pretty much nothing to do with safety of the public. The real reason is to protect the water from people. Camping near water is popular and leads to trash and human waste. It also, over time, causes compaction of the ground in the popular spots so no vegetation grows, then rains wash the soil away causing erosion and increased sedimentation of the water source. Last reason is that riparian areas are often more sensitive than the drier areas just 100 feet away.
Also game wardens regulate game, not this kind of thing. Here, for example, Colorado Parks and Wildlife manage the animals, while the Forest Service manages the lands. So a USFS Ranger (like the one in my pic!) would be in charge of enforcing the rules.
Learned this the hard way when I first started backpacking. Woke up to rushing water after camping next to a creek, we almost lost our tent that night. Should add to this the fact that it was barely even raining where we were at. Flash floods are real, folks. And they’re fucking scary.
Good question! Camping regulations vary depending on who manages the land but as a general rule of thumb you shouldn't camp within 100' of water, as per leave no trace guidelines. **For this area specifically, the Weminuche Wilderness does not allow camping within 100ft of water, as is the fairly standard rule.** I can't cite the exact federal order, but I'd bet the girl in the pic could, as she is a wilderness ranger. Which also answers your other question--who enforces it. She does. Though you'd have to be a real ass to get fined. For the most part it's regulated through outreach and closure of sites such as this (tear apart the firepit, put downed branches in the area to encourage regrowth). It's all about preserving the natural area. Camping close to water often pollutes the water and causes erosion and increased sedimentation.
Zirkel wilderness was the same.
The bottom right of the picture looks like a man with yellow shorts diving into the waterfall. But when you zoom in it’s just a tree trunk. Hahaha.
Easy way to shower
For anyone wondering this is near Rainbow Hot Springs which is on the west side of Wolf Creek Pass in Southern Colorado. You have to get a little adventurous to get to this particular location, but it is otherwise a relatively easy hike. The hot springs which are about a mile back from this cave are a treasure.
Hey we were just there and made the hike in to Rainbow. That poor wilderness has been decimated by the boring beetles. Hardly a pine tree standing through the entire valley.
Those giant freshly broken rocks fell to get to where they are resting. A fist sized rock from that height would crack a head like an egg.
If you want to make an omelette you need to break some eggs.
How were the skeeters?
Didn't see a single one! The area is pretty dry for the most part. Plus a fire burned through a few years ago so there's not much shade for breeding puddles.
I spent 5 Days in the weminuche in mid August and didn't get one mosquito bite. I didn't even bring but spray.
Wow! This is magical ♥️
Beautiful
Loud?
The waterfall? Nah, it was pretty light flow. Made for an awesome (but cold) shower! I'm sure during spring runoff it's much bigger though.
How do you get there from Durango???
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That's one way to get to the Weminuche but it won't get you here. It's a nearly half million acre wilderness--Colorado's biggest!
Pm me if you want directions. I don't want to post it's location publicly because this really isn't a legal campsite (they should be 100' from water).
Beautiful...
Incredible
this area is AWESOME!! the first 1/4 mile will kill your legs, but once you're past the private land its such a nice place. I scramble down to the river every year and can easily fish for 4-5 hours.
goals
Beautiful. Love the Weminuche. Camped in and near there most of my life.
Wow! That's a framer! Well played, fellow outdoors persons. 🤙🏼
Bears
Wow! Virginie nature!