Why the trash?
One afternoon, several years ago, Fred and I took the Bierstadt Trail into the Mount Evans Wilderness in the Arapaho National Forest. We were somewhat surprised by the number of other hikers on the trail but it was a Sunday and the weather pleasant. The trail lead to a tundra area through marshland and dense thickets of shoulder height willows. At nearly 12,000 feet the trail included knee deep patches of snow and very steep, rocky inclines. With the sky threatening and leg muscles screaming we decided to head back after a couple of miles.
Most of our fellow hikers appeared to be having little or no trouble with the altitude or inclines. Most were probably half our ages. But, since this was our first time hiking at this altitude (remember we are from Bisbee, Arizona, elevation 5,500 feet) we feel pretty good about our achievement.
One thing that mystifies us every time we hike a trail in such a beautiful location is the trash left behind. We know from experience a can of any beverage weighs much less empty than full, as does a Power Bar wrapper or an empty bag of chips. True, there wasn’t as much trash along Bierstadt Trail as we have see elsewhere but why should there be any? Or am I just being a neat-nick?
Taking a break on a hike
