All the hikes described in this book are in Capitol Reef National Park. Many people consider National Parks to be protected from further environmental damage. Unfortunately this is too often not true. Look around, as you hike, at the resources of your Park.
The Park is thirty two years old and grazing is still legal. It may be legal for another forty or so years. Look at the major valleys, minor valleys, up the canyons, and even well up the slopes. Cattle are destroying the native vegetation and disturbing the land in such a way as to promote the spread of exotic species and increase soil erosion. Look at the natural water sources and how fowled they are. Native animals have to share or go without water. Researchers have documented that grazing adversely affects riparian areas, resulting in the "trampling and collapse of stream banks, erosion, declines in native species, elimination of seedlings and increases in undesirable species."
One of the most remote hikes in this book includes following an illegal ATV trail. In that instance there were no ATV tracks until 1998. Now tracks show ATV's have gone many places, crushing vegetation, digging ruts which runoff will perpetuate and deepen, destroying cryptogamic soil structure, breaking down natural banks and much more.
ATV's cannot be legally driven in Capitol Reef National Park anywhere. There was some abuse of this law over the years since ATV's were first sold but during the last two years this abuse has increased dramatically. If you see ATV's being used in the Park try to get some identification like a license number from an ATV trailer or the towing vehicle and report it to the Visitor Center. National Parks need to be protected and you can help.
Keep an eye on all public lands you are familiar with and actively work to protect them. There are numerous people, groups, businesses and politicians on the other side who don't care about wild places, natural areas, clean air or any part of the natural environment. Take an active part in public meetings where land use policies are being made. Various uses are acceptable, even desirable, but usually only when limited or controlled. These limitations are often too few and controls not described or enforced. To make sure your children and future generations have some unspoiled places to hike, explore, enjoy and protect, join and support organizations fighting for what you believe in.
The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and the Utah Wilderness Coalition are fighting to protect the Canyon Country of Utah. Other organizations fight on a national or local scale. Choose the one or ones you prefer and join the fight.
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23June2017
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