Camping at THs??

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Brad2
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Re: Camping at THs??

Post by Brad2 »

TallGrass wrote:Maybe if they knew before hand they could have hit a gas station on the way in
But the reality is that everyone knows to utilize a real restroom prior, when able, because they know that even if there IS a trailhead restroom it's nearly always just a stinky, dirty outhouse that may or may not have toilet paper.

If this website listed trailhead restrooms it would be difficult to provide accurate dates for the seasonal lockups.
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Eli Boardman
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Re: Camping at THs??

Post by Eli Boardman »

If you don't know how to go to the bathroom in the woods, should you even be at a trailhead in the first place? :-k
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Brad2
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Re: Camping at THs??

Post by Brad2 »

Here's a story that's totally on topic:
Recently I took a hike up a beautiful canyon, after sleeping in my car at the trailhead. But later that day I spoke to a landowner who was annoyed at me for sleeping there, telling me that it's not permitted. It's usually okay here in Colorado, so I was surprised there was no sign saying 'Camping Prohibited.'

I stopped by the Forest Circus office in Glenwood Springs to confirm, and was told that even if there is no sign, it's my responsibility to know the rules. They told me to download the following app, and to look for a map feature I had never heard of: a series of small black dots adjacent to forest service roads that mean camping IS allowed.
IMG_1635.JPG
Also, those of us posting on this forum instead of going out drinking on a Saturday night are hiking dorks.
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SchralpTheGnar
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Re: Camping at THs??

Post by SchralpTheGnar »

If you do camp at any traialheads, Make sure you are discrete about it, don’t ever post about it on any forums
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dwoodward13
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Re: Camping at THs??

Post by dwoodward13 »

Brad2 wrote: I stopped by the Forest Circus office in Glenwood Springs to confirm, and was told that even if there is no sign, it's my responsibility to know the rules. They told me to download the following app, and to look for a map feature I had never heard of: a series of small black dots adjacent to forest service roads that mean camping IS allowed.
Ya Avenza is awesome to download the MVUM's. You can also upload Caltopo maps with your route on them and watch your blue dot (hopefully) follow your line. FYI that some of the Ranger Districts do not use the black dots to denote dispersed camping. For example the Salida RD, if you pull up the MVUM you won't find a single black dots along a road, basically because if its forest service its free game. It will note this on the legend section.
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ezabielski
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Re: Camping at THs??

Post by ezabielski »

Hell, even sleeping outside your car is fairly acceptable at most all trailheads except for the ones mentioned above. I've enjoyed many a trailhead cowboy camp after a late drive in.
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719BR
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Re: Camping at THs??

Post by 719BR »

OK, I give up. I have, use, and love Avenza maps but I have no idea WTH an MVUM is. Would someone please enlighten me?

/It's Monday, that's my excuse.
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GregMiller
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Re: Camping at THs??

Post by GregMiller »

Motor Vehicle Use Maps. Terribly useful things - they show all the little forest services roads, and what can drive on them.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/psicc/ma ... rdb5177824
You'll see them at entrances to some forest service off road areas, and can find them at forest service offices (among other places).
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dwoodward13
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Re: Camping at THs??

Post by dwoodward13 »

brichardsson wrote:OK, I give up. I have, use, and love Avenza maps but I have no idea WTH an MVUM is. Would someone please enlighten me?

/It's Monday, that's my excuse.
Motor Vehicle Use Map. Basically tells you what type of vehicle can legally drive on each road as well where seasonal closures and the like are at. Also shows where dispersed camping is allowed. If you go into the map store on Avenza you can search for MVUMs and download.
brandondike
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Re: Camping at THs??

Post by brandondike »

theuglybear wrote:
schumi248 wrote:Something else that would be useful is info on bathrooms at THs too.
I was actually just wondering why this site didn't already do that.
I often use Google Earth and zoom in on trailheads if I am concerned about toilets at trailheads. Obviously it won't give you information on their current conditions, but it can tell you if they are there or not.
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Dan_Suitor
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Re: Camping at THs??

Post by Dan_Suitor »

Is the outhouse still at the Mt. Sneffels TH (Yankee Boy Basin)? I think that was the most vial thing I’ve ever smelt in my life. Perhaps there needs to be a degree of bathroom difficulty as well. :lol:
Century Bound, eventually.
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zinj
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Re: Camping at THs??

Post by zinj »

wag bags. Not just for glaciers anymore.
"Gentlemen, you are piling up a heritage of conflict and litigation over water rights, for there is not sufficient water to supply the land." - John Wesley Powell, 1883