I just finished the Kern River loop...Horseshoe Meadows down to the Kern River, to Junction Meadow, up Wallace Creek and back around over New Army Pass.
While on my trip, I encounter my favorite campsite soiled with horse manure. Below is my email to SEKI.
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On my July 9th thru the 14th backpacking trip from Horseshoe Meadows down the Kern River and back to Horseshoe Meadows via Wallace Creek (loop), I stayed at my favorite campsite located on the Kern River, which is located at the junction of the Rattlesnake Trail and Kern River Trail. I have stayed there many times over the years; however, this particular stay brought anger to me.
The site is located on the Kern River, a beautiful camping site after a long day. The site requires the hiker to follow a “use” path through trees, ferns and over some logs. The site is nicely isolated.
My complaint stems from the fact that when I arrived at the site, there were several piles of horse/mule manure on my normal tent site, as a matter of fact, 2 other flat areas that support tents also had horse/mule manure on them: another tent site was dug up by horse’s hooves. All 3 tent sites were situated next to the developed fire pit and eating area (log benches).
I don’t like to expand camping sites, but in this case, it was unavoidable. Who wants to pitch a tent next to horse manure or for that matter an eating area?
It angers me that some packer chose this site; it is a totally an inappropriate place for horses. The site is now, for a long time ruined by the stupidity of an individual. How long will it take the manure to fade away….. a very long time since the manure will dry out, but the visual part of it will remain for years.
The camping site will now eventually will be enlarged since hikers will now move away from the soiled area.
The packer who did this should be forced to remove the manure and clean the site up.
Thank you for reading my email.
Paul
Last edited by Paul; 07/17/13 11:45 AM.
