As a visitor to canyon country you have an obligation to consider the effect that your visit will have on this wilderness. By minimizing your impact, you can help protect this fragile land.
- Always leave your trip plan with a member of your family or a close friend.
- Tread lightly.
- Avoid traveling alone in the wilderness.
- Never throw rocks; there may be trails and hikers below
you.
- Always carry a topo
map, adequate
clothing, and a flashlight.
- Know what to expect. Check with the Forest
or Park Service
when you start planning your trip.
- Find out about current regulations, permits, weather,
trail, water,
and other conditions in the area you plan to visit.
- Lock your vehicle and place all valuables out of sight.
- Don't lock children and pets in cars in the direct sunlight.
The extreme
heat can kill them.
- Keep your distance from all wildlife
and remain quiet. Don't chase or pick up wild animals, and
keep your pets under control. Do not feed animals. Unnatural
foods are harmful to the animals and visitors have been
bitten.
- Poisonous snakes
and insects
are residents of this area. Watch for them.
- Don't eat wild
plants.
- Indian ruins, historic structures, cultural artifacts
(arrowheads, pot shards, etc.) and other evidence of the
area's prehistory and history should be left undisturbed.
Look at them, enjoy them, ponder their significance, but
don't remove them. Leave historic sites, rock art, ruins
and artifacts untouched for the future. Report any violations.
- During a lightning
storm avoid lone trees, cliff edges, and high ridges.
Return to your vehicle if possible.
- Ankle injuries
are one of the main safety problems in canyon country. Wear
boots
with good ankle support and traction.
- If you become
lost, stay where you are. The area is crisscrossed with
steep canyons and cliffs, and wandering will endanger your
life and make finding you extremely difficult.
- Keep your party together. Watch your children. Children
can become lost in seconds. Keep close tabs on them for
their safety. Keep them away from ledges.
- Be careful near cliff edges, especially when rock is wet
or icy.
- Watch your step when taking pictures near cliffs. Loss
of balance while looking through a view finder (or binoculars)
is common, and fatal falls can occur.
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