MOUNTAIN MANNERS

- It’s Okay to Follow the Beaten Path. Straying from the designated paths can cause harmful erosion or irreversible damage to vegetation and lower soil quality.

- Use the Rule of Thumb. When there's an animal in the distance, are you far enough away so you can close one eye and cover the entire creature with your thumb? If not, you’re too close!

- Tent Where It’s Meant. Camping in undesignated area leads to a ripple effect (one person camps there, then thousands camp there). This ruins habitat for native wildlife and destroys precious vegetation.

- Flowers Have Powers When Left on Their Towers. When left alone, flowers influence the local ecosystem all year-round, but will only last a few days in a vase.

- Let Nature's Sounds Abound. Many of us head out onto the trail system to find peace and quiet or to listen to the birds chirp and the leaves flutter in the breeze. If you're going to play music, don't assume everyone else wants to hear what you're listening to — kindly use headphones.