Re: trip report thur 7/7/11

I always return to the Bowen Campground. You must be at least outside of the Deep Creek Watershed. It is really a critical issue. The levels of e-coli are the highest at the springs. That's because of camping and individuals who don't follow the sanitary rules for the area. I am kind of grossed out at the way some people treat this sacred site. Keep your tent up the mountain, keep your waste products away from the stream and help others understand that it is a fragile area and they are NOT the center of the universe. The area could be closed because the frogs are not doing well, or because someone allows a fire to burn the area down, or because law enforcement can not afford to continue to indulge the problems in the area. I for one prefer to be responsible and carry out my trash, find places away from the creek for natural processes, and remind others of their responsibility to do the right thing.
It is a beautiful area. It is one of the few areas one can be natural without worrying about offending others and as you have observed that free hiking is something you can do on the trails around without much problem.
Keep in mind that there are differences between various law enforcement agencies. As I have continued over time to remind everyone. Calif law does not allow for nudity in public. The National Forest Service does provide for it and nudity in the San Bernardino Forest is allowed anywhere in the forest as long as it is not within 1/4 mile of a populated area. I am certain this is not an absolute and it is always prudent to be covered when others are present if you want to avoid having to defend your rights in court. I suspect you would lose anyway. Call it a privelege which is allowed becaue of extreme tolerance and it is probably not really a right at all. This is only an opinion. I welcome comments to help me have a broader understanding. Just a lurking coyote.

Coyote