Yosemite National Park urges visitors: Don’t bury toilet paper!

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

DON’T BURY TOILET PAPER AT YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK!

THAT’S WHAT THE PARK IS PLEADING IN A FACEBOOK POST …

 COMPLETE WITH THESE PHOTOS.

THE FLOWING WATER, BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAINS, SERENE GREENERY… AND THEN, YUP – USED TOILET PAPER GREETING YOU ON YOUR OUTDOOR ADVENTURE NEXT TO RANCHERIA FALLS. 

“PLEASE DON’T BURY TOILET PAPER” — THE PARK SAID.  IT’S EXPOSED TO WEATHER, ANIMALS CAN DIG IT UP AND USE IT FOR NESTING AND IT CAN ALSO TAKE 1-3 YEARS TO DECOMPOSE.

 WITH MORE THAN A MILLION VISITORS TREKKING THROUGH YOSEMITE BETWEEN JUNE AND AUGUST – THE PARK WARNS – THERE’S A PROPER WAY TO USE THE RESTROOM IN THE WILDERNESS – AND IT DOESN’T INCLUDE LEAVING REMNANTS OF YOUR BUSINESS BEHIND.

THE PARK STRESSES YOU FOLLOW THE LEAVE NO TRACE ETHICS TO ENSURE YOU’RE MAKING MEMORIES, NOT MESSES.

THERE’S A WHOLE EXPLANATION ON YOSEMITE’S WEBSITE ON WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE TO GO NUMBER 2.

(CREDIT: YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK)

“DON’T BE EMBARRASSED. EVERYONE MUST GO SOMETIME. IT’S JUST IMPORTANT TO DO IT CORRECTLY IN THE OUTDOORS.”

[LAUREN TAYLOR] 

MANY OF YOSEMITE’S CAMPSITES AND HIKING TRAILS DON’T HAVE RESTROOMS.

THE FIRST STEP YOU TAKE IS TO PICK A SITE “UNTRAVELED BY PEOPLE” MEANING TWO HUNDRED FEET FROM WATER AND OR OFF THE TRAIL WHERE WASTE CAN MORE EASILY DECOMPOSE AND LESSEN THE CHANCE OF SPREADING DISEASE.

STEP TWO – DIG A CATHOLE: A HOLE IN THE GROUND ABOUT 6-8 INCHES DEEP AND 4-6 INCHES IN DIAMETER.

STEP THREE – WHEN YOU’RE FINISHED WITH YOUR BUSINESS – FILL THE HOLE WITH ORIGINAL DIRT AND DISGUISE IT WITH LEAVES AND DEBRIS. AND DON’T PUT YOUR TOILET PAPER IN THE HOLE OR NEAR THE HOLE.

ALWAYS PACK OUT THE USED T-P IN A PLASTIC ZIPPER BAG OR CONTAINER – MAKE SURE IT’S SEALED TIGHT — AND PUT IT IN THE TRASH.

THE PARK SAYS THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO KEEP ALL NATIONAL PARKS CLEAN AND HEALTHY.

FOR SAN, I’M LAUREN TAYLOR.