POLICY
It is the policy of the Ventana Wilderness Alliance that the mindful and sensitive use of horses, mules, burros, llamas, goats and any other types of pack or riding stock in conformance with Leave No Trace principles for backcountry stock use is an appropriate recreational use of the public lands of the northern Santa Lucia Range.
GUIDELINES
The Ventana Wilderness Alliance encourages stock users to:
- Familiarize themselves with the Leave No Trace Principles for backcountry stock use, and to adopt and exercise these principles during trips into the Ventana and Silver Peak Wilderness Areas. The LNT principles are available online at http://www.bchw.org/lnt/lntbk.htm.
- Consider planning their stock trips to specific areas of the district that have a geography suitable to stock support as well as stock-friendly trails accessing them, such as Pine Valley, Lost Valley, Strawberry, Dutra Flat and the San Carpoforo.
- Carry only certified weed-free supplemental feed into the backcountry to minimize the threat of spreading noxious and invasive exotic plant species. Feed only certified weed-free feed for 36 to 48 hours prior to embarking on a backcountry trip so that viable seeds from the stock's intestinal tract won't end up in the ecosystem.
- Be considerate of others that may be sharing your camp or camping in "overflow" areas nearby. Restrain your stock by hi-line if letting them graze would disturb the experience of the other campers. Do not tie stock to trees for extended periods of time.
- Be considerate of others who will use the camp area after your visit. Carry a shovel or manure fork and a gunny sack, and before leaving camp take a moment to gather up all manure within 50 yards of the camp. Either bury this manure or carry it well away from the camp and spread it in a sunny location.
- Carry the necessary tools to accomplish needed trail work along the way. Instead of riding up or down and around deadfalls that block the trail and thereby breaking down the tread, carry an axe, a large bow saw or even a small crosscut saw and take the time to cut the blockage out of the way. Not only will it make your return trip smoother, but others who come after you will benefit as well.
- Pack it in, pack it out (and then some). Given the ability of stock animals to carry large amounts of weight relative to foot travelers, take every opportunity to pack out more than you packed in, in the form of litter and other unsightly refuse left behind by less conscientious forest users.
BACKGROUND
The goal of the Ventana Wilderness Alliance Backcountry Stock Use Policy is to minimize harmful impacts to the lands of the Northern Santa Lucia that can occur from careless stock management and use. The VWA recognizes that stock use is a permitted form of recreation in Los Padres National Forest, and further recognizes the value of stock in wilderness management, stewardship and conservation efforts. This policy is intended to offer suggested guidelines for stock users that will help to minimize negative impacts and maximize positive impacts to the land during their backcountry visits.
ADOPTED: 27-May-2004
