Wow, I hate to hear that.  But I'd like to give you a big pat on the back for taking the initiative to do what you could to tidy things up. 

I hope you reported this to the park manager.

 Thanks for your input. We'll give them a call and let them know.

I hope your next ride is litter free.

At a lot of the trail heads here in my area. The Forest Service keeps a sign in log book.  It serves a couple of functions.

1st  If a person is reported missing. The search parties have an idea of where to start. If a hiker/rider signed the log book and noted they were hiking/riding into Lake ABC, at least the searchers have an area to search. Too often many of us change our minds at the last minute and go some where different than we told family back at home. You show up at a trail head, and there is a bad log across the trail  or snow bank blocking access, so you take the other fork.

2nd the Forest Service uses these logs to determine funding for trail maintenance.  If nobody uses the trail, why spend money to maintain it?  If there are lots of folks using a trail, and volunteer hours being put forth by the public to help maintain, then the forest service is more likely to use their resources to maintain it. Hikers and bikers almost always sign in, horsemen don't always want to get off their horses to go sign a logbook. You have a fresh horse thats eager to go, You just got into the saddle. etc etc.

I don't see many pop cans along the trail. I see the occassional water bottle, usually half full, that I suspect fell out of a bouncy horses bottle holder unbeknowst to the rider. But what bugs me is to see the beer cans along the trail. It seems some riders bring a 6pack along for a ride and throw the empties behind a bush thinking nobody will notice. Maybe it's impaired judgement.

I occassionally enjoy an adult beverage around the campfire, but never-never-never in the saddle!!!!  Personally, I feel sorry for folks who think they can't have a good ride without a beer in their hand.  We all know the reasons, so I won't get on my soapbox.  But really it is no different than getting behind the wheel of a car or a boat.  Except this 'vehicle' has a mind of it's own.

The group I ride with is very good about keeping their trash picked up and even picking up after others.  As a smoker, I won't even throw down my butts.  I just hang on to them until they are completely cooled and then put them in my pocket.  Of course this also has its perils.....  Last spring we were riding down the trail when I heard the gal behind me say, "I smell something burning."  A few seconds later she exclaimed, "Oh SH!T it's ME!"  She had failed to be sure the butt was competely cooled before stuffing it in her pocket!  LOL

This is why we have a decal on the back of our horse trailer that states:

NO TRAILRIDER

ever sat taller in the saddle

than when he bent down to pick up

someone else's trash from the trail

It makes me cringe every time I pick up others junk! Kudos to you and everyone else for the clean up efforts!!!

Where might another mule rider find such a decal as the one you proudly display on your trailer?  Very nice.

I'm also amazed and dismayed by how someone could throw trash out on the trails and campgrounds and roads and in lakes and streams.  Picked up lots of trash ourselves.

Mary B in Texas

Mary,

We had it made at a decal shop in Madrid Iowa.  If you want I can send you a picture of it or get you the info on the shop.

Just let me know!!

Iowa mule rider,

Thank you for the reply.  Would you be able to send a pic of it to my work email address?  I think I might be able to find a place in my podunk small town that could make one.  I sure would appreciate it.

septicinspector@fanninco.net

Thanks again,

Mary B in Texas