Wilderness
Wilderness has shaped our heritage and enriches our present as a source of
challenge, inspiration, and wonder.
In 1964, Congress passed the National Wilderness
Preservation Act as a means to protect what remained of that irreplaceable
resource and to insure that it would forever be part of the wealth of our nation.
The Coronado National Forest has eight Wilderness Areas, among which are some
of the most biologically diverse in the nation. At least one Wilderness
can be
found in each Ranger District; the Chiricahua in the Douglas District, the Pajarita and Mt.
Wrightson in the Nogales District, Pusch Ridge and Rincon
Mountain in the Santa Catalina District, Galiuro and Santa
Teresa in the
Safford District, and Miller Peak in the Sierra Vista District.
Congress defines Wilderness as an area “untrammeled by man.” However,
a broad range of human activities are permitted there. In addition
to hiking, horseback riding and camping, other permitted activities include
hunting, fishing
and grazing. The use of mechanized or motorized equipment -- including
mountain bikes, generators, chain saws -- is prohibited in Wilderness.
If you
have any questions about Wilderness, contact the Forest Supervisor’s Office or any Ranger District Office.
LEAVE NO TRACE! To help keep the wild in Wilderness please
observe the following Leave No Trace practices:
- Planning: An outing that’s planned is invariably safer and more fun
than one that isn’t planned. And, it generally has less of an environmental impact.
In addition to this Guide, the Coronado National Forest has materials such
as maps, backcountry ethics handouts and firsthand information on trails, campsites,
roads and weather to help plan an enjoyable outing.
- Group size: Small groups have less of an impact on fragile deserts and mountain
meadows. Groups of five or less travel together more naturally and find campsites
more easily.
- No Trace travel: Stay on the trail! Cutting switchbacks
scars the landscape, promotes soil erosion, and destroys the beauty
you’ve come to
see.
- No Trace camping: The steep, rocky terrain of the Coronado Forest provides
a limited number of flat areas suited to camping. As a result, many of the
campsites are used repeatedly and show the signs of human activity. However,
campers are encouraged to use these existing sites (instead of creating new
campsites) when possible to limit the expansion of newly impacted sites. When
camping in a remote area with no existing sites, select an area without vegetation–
a sandy surface, or one covered with thick leaf/needle cover. Always avoid
camping near water, in meadows, or near cliffs and rockslides since these areas
are important to wildlife.
- Fires: Use existing fire rings only. Do not build new ones! “No Trace” campers
cook on a stove and don’t build a fire. If you must have a fire, find
a campsite with an existing fire ring.
- Sanitation: Bathe and wash dishes well away from any water source. If you
are not equipped to carry out human waste, bury it in the top 6-8 inches
of organic
soil at least 200 feet from water sources, trails and camp. Pack out everything
that you pack in.
- Pack animals: Do your best to minimize the impacts your animals have on
trails, campsites, water sources, and wildlife forage. Keep your party
small -- 3
or 4 people, 5 or 6 animals maximum. Use picket ropes and highlines to hold
animals. Do not tie animals to trees! Contact the local Ranger District office
regarding the best practice for feeding your animals (grazing, hay, oats, pellets
etc.). Some areas may be closed to pack animals due to overuse or fragile conditions.
When breaking camp, naturalize disturbed areas and scatter manure piles.
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