Another important aspect of the nationalpark experience in Utah is the historic sites, such as Ancestral Puebloan structures and rock writing. Encountering a cliff dwelling, a granary or a rock-writing panel left behind by a long-vanished culture hundreds or even thousands of years ago is one of the special joys of hiking in the Utah desert, and these reminders of ancient desert dwellers lend an air of mystery to the enchanting landscape. Yet with each passing year, vandals, and even well-intentioned but misguided hikers, destroy parts of these valuable resources and remove artifacts from archaeological sites.
It is our responsibility to protect these sites, not only for their scientific value but for ourselves and those who come after. Structures are fragile and crumble easily; do not climb on them. Skin oils destroy pigments on pictograph panels, so restrain the urge to touch them. Do not add graffiti to rock-writing panels. Avoid picking up potsherds, bones, or other lithic scatter at cultural sites. Well-intentioned hikers often pick up artifacts from the ground and place them on display on so-called “museum rocks” at cultural sites. Leave archaeological sites as you found them, preserving the sense of discovery for those who follow. Every artifact—a kernel of corn or a potsherd—provides an important link to the past.
Once an artifact is removed or disturbed, it becomes merely an object that cannot be related to its context. Even walking around a dwelling or other site may destroy cultural resources. The Antiquities Act of 1906 and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 make it unlawful to remove, damage, excavate, deface or alter the material remains of human life and activity over 100 years old. There are also state laws protecting cultural resources. Civil and criminal penalties are enforced, and rewards of up to $500 are provided for information leading to the arrest and conviction of offenders.
There are many ways in which hikers can reduce their impact on the fragile desert. Although techniques of no-trace behavior are now common practice among hikers, we occasionally need reminders. Previously mentioned in this chapter are suggestions to camp on durable sites, to avoid camping near water sources or trampling cryptobiotic crusts, and to allow ample room between backcountry campsites. In addition, hikers should keep noise to a minimum, as sound carries far in the desert and echoes among rocks and canyon walls. Keep group size as small as possible, and consider splitting your group into smaller parties while hiking and camping. When traveling cross-country, spread out instead of walking single file and concentrating your impact (except when travelling across cryptobiotic crusts).
Always carry out your trash or garbage. In the arid desert climate, things like orange and banana peels will not decompose; rather, they become mummified. Respect plant and animal life in the desert. Moving a stone, uprooting a plant, or killing an undesirable creature disrupts the delicate balance that desert life has achieved. Above all, remember that you are a visitor in the home of plants and animals, so behave as you would in someone’s home and act with respect for all desert dwellers.
Driving in Utah’s National Parks
Most trailheads in the national parks of Utah lie along paved park roads and are accessible to any vehicle, but some lie along remote dirt roads. Dirt roads are often impassable to even 4WD vehicles during and shortly after a heavy rain, when clay beds become a sticky, slippery mess. If you return from a hike to find your dirt road wet from heavy rains, be prepared to wait a day or more for the roadbed to dry. Some roads follow canyons that are subject to dangerous flash floods, which can wash out roads, and deposit rocks and other debris on the roadbed. Always check the current road conditions at park visitor centers.
Drivers of 4WD vehicles should be experienced in rough road travel before attempting most of the 4WD roads in Utah’s national parks. Since many 4WD routes follow sandy washes, vehicles should be equipped with wide, deep-lug tires. Traveling with a group is a precaution in case one vehicle gets stuck or damaged. A winch is useful—but it is often difficult to find an anchor point in the desert.
Everyone traveling off main roads should be sure to have a full tank of gas and perhaps some extra, at least 5 gallons of water, a shovel, extra food and clothing, a tow line, and a tire pump. On rough or flood-damaged roads, a little shovel work can save you hours of down-time should your vehicle become stuck or damaged.
Avoid steep downhill grades in sand unless you are certain you can make it back up. If you begin to get stuck in sand, don’t spin the wheels, as you will only dig in deeper. Maintain your speed and forward momentum on sandy roads, and rapidly steer the wheels of your 4WD vehicle back and forth to increase the tires’ “bite” in the sand. You can increase traction by deflating tires to about 20 p.s.i.—but be sure to reinflate them once you’re beyond the obstacle. If deflating tires doesn’t do the trick, use your jack to lift the stuck wheels and place rocks, boards, or brush underneath for added traction. Consider carrying boards, burlap bags, strips of carpet, pieces of chain-link fence—anything that might provide traction in deep, soft sand.
Be sure to check road conditions and weather forecasts before driving off main roads, and when in doubt, stop your vehicle and scout ahead on foot; a few minutes of scouting may save you hours of digging out.
Park Regulations
The mission of the National Park Service is to preserve the natural and historical values within national parks, while providing for the enjoyment of the landscape in a manner that will leave it unimpaired for future generations. We can all assist by following the guidelines established by park managers. Observing these regulations need not hinder our outdoor experiences, and in fact most embody common-sense behavior. Though regulations are the law of the land in our national parks, we should choose to employ techniques of no trace not only in the parks but wherever we travel.
Regulations specific to one national park are listed in the following chapters. Below is a list of regulations that apply to all Utah national parks.
Backcountry use permits are required for all visitors camping in the backcountry or in 4WD campsites. They are available at all visitor centers, and a fee is required in most of the parks. Rangers will explain pertinent regulations when you obtain your permit.
Campfires are prohibited except in frontcountry campgrounds.
Wood gathering is not allowed, so you must bring your own wood for use in campgrounds, and carry a stove in the backcountry.
Motorized vehicles must be licensed and street-legal, even those used on backcountry 4WD roads. All vehicles, including mountain bikes, are restricted to designated vehicle routes; off-route travel is not permitted. Bicycles are not allowed on any single track trail.
Visitors are urged to use toilet facilities where available. Otherwise they must bury human waste in a hole 4–6 inches deep, carefully covering it when finished. All of the parks require that backcountry users pack out their toilet paper, and never burn it. Do not bury it, as it will not readily decompose.
Pets are not permitted in any backcountry roadless area or on hiking trails. They may be transported in vehicles on frontcountry park roads, and may be kept overnight in park campgrounds. Any pet outside of a vehicle must be on a leash less than 6 feet long or otherwise physically constrained at all times. No pet may be left unattended overnight, or left unattended, tied, or physically confined in the frontcountry to facilitate backcountry travel.
All trash and garbage must be packed out of the backcountry. Burial of refuse is not permitted.
Weapons must be unloaded, broken down and cased during transport in national parks. Weapons of any kind are prohibited in the backcountry. Hunting is also prohibited.
Observe camping restrictions in regard to water sources and do not use soaps in or near water sources. In most parks, campsites can be established no closer than 300 feet from nonflowing water sources, such as seeps, springs and