Re: Common Ground

Wow. What a nice surprise to return from a wonderful weekend at the springs to find such positive-sounding statements on the forum. I hope it lasts.
I see threads here on both the alternate website idea and now the formation of a group. I like the idea of flyers, but not to be distributed at the springs themselves, as they would then contribute to the trash problem. Mike may hand them out at the ranch, but how could they be distributed at other parking locations?
Also on the subject of flyers listing appropriate etiquette for the springs, how about making flyers in Spanish as well. I would be happy to do the job of translating.
As for the group, it has been suggested to me that people are not likely to want "business" meetings during their weekend "escapes" from such things. I do see the point of this...perhaps keeping the group as informal as possible would help, or maybe have business meetings at another location prior to reaching the springs.
On another topic, trash, I do want to mention that Paul and I observed a large group of people (about 14 or 15) climbing up the steep face from the creek at just around the sharp bend upstream from the springs. They cut quite a gouge in the hill. We didn't see any sign of trash being carried out, so we walked up PCT, took the lower fork, and came to a place where we could see the bottom of the trail. It meets the creek at a sandy beach. There were a number of plates, paper or styrofoam, floating in the stream and what looked like aluminum cans on the shore. There was sign also of a fire pit.
Paul went back later along the stream bed with a trash bag, but had it full before he reached that beach, and was having trouble with it on the rocks, so he gave it up and just brought back the bag he had filled. So, if anyone finds it possible to get to that beach, it could be cleaned up.
I agree with a comment I read (but can't recall who said) that night use is likely to be the source of a lot of trash. When I am there, I usually stay until after the sun goes down, and get to greet many of the folks who arrive at night. A brief conversation sometimes results in no sign of their trash when I arrive again in the morning. I do the same if I see anyone heading down from Bowen in the evening. Also, before leaving the springs, I check with the other people who are getting ready to leave to be sure that the trash is being dealt with. It's not perfect, but it helps.

To Ron: I hope your hand heals up quickly.