With summer comes a surge of new faces, packed parking lots, and bikes everywhere. Tourist season has begun, and with it, a necessary change of pace in the Sierras. While I don’t blame people for wanting to spend time in this beautiful area—I myself overstayed my visit by moving in—we must remember that this is not a playground, and respect for the local residents is expected.
Personal behavior norms are influenced by factors like region, culture, and traditions, but I believe there’s a common middle ground of basic rules that guide us to live in a polite society, especially in public spaces. Unfortunately, dear readers, common sense seems increasingly uncommon, leading to avoidable annoying situations.
That’s why I’m stepping in to write a few forest etiquette rules crafted after mere observation and stories told by friendly neighbors whose patience has been tested before. While these might not be official, they should be followed by everyone who visits the Sierras, and by some unaware residents.
Clean up after yourself. While staff in hotels, restaurants, bars, and perhaps your mother back home, are kind enough to pick up your trash and clean up after you, Mother Nature doesn’t have a squad of magic elves to serve you, nor should our forest service or other people do it for you. If it comes with you, it has to leave with you.
Be mindful that your best friend is not ours. Although we love seeing your “good boy” enjoying the beauty of the Sierras as much as you do, good manners are expected from them and, hence, from their owners. Keep them on a leash so they don’t terrorize other pets or humans. If one more dog shakes off on me by the river, Fish and Wildlife will be contacted.
Respect private property. It’s in the name and is restricted to invited guests. Don’t park, don’t trespass, and don’t mistake our welcoming spirit for an invitation to overstep boundaries. Let me tell you right now, I choose the bear over any sweaty human.
Feral behavior should be left to animals. While reconnecting with the wild might be a feeling the forest awakens in you, remember at all times that you’re a civilized adult. Avoid anything that might provoke this kind of behavior such as: staying too long at St. Charles, discussing politics, religion, Taylor Swift…. and staying too long at St. Charles.
Be mindful when using fire. Just don’t.
The list could go on, but let’s consider these five as the basic fundamentals of forest etiquette. While I don’t have the authority to enforce them, I trust that people will understand their importance. So, locals, old-timers, newcomers, tourists, and visitors from other galaxies, let’s pretend that forest etiquette is a thing and hope this summer goes uneventfully, even though we know that will not be the case.