Cows have fouled Razor Creek beyond drinkability. BE SURE AND GET WATER AT BAlDY LAKE. People have been arriving here at Lujan Pass seriously dehydrated because they relied on Razor Creek. (Segment 17) APPLE
APPLE
Razor Creek not useable
system
#2
I have to say, hiking has given me a new perspective on beef. Don’t get me wrong, I like a good steak now and then. I just see how much damage livestock do to public lands. erosion, giardia, fouled creeks, etc…There must be a better way.
jalanjalan
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#3
Don’t forget greenhouse “emissions”! Those beasts produce ungodly amounts of methane gas. Eat mor Chicken (or better yet, chick peas)!
Matt
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#4
Before you guys get too worked up about the cows in Razer creek, remember that the cowboy who runs those cows doesnt own those cows, and he is sympathetic to CT hikers. He is a personal friend of mine and I know of at least two occasions where he has taken in starving and ill thru hikers and nursed them back to health. The solution to clean water at Razer creek will be a cooperation between the CTF, the Forest Service, and the ranchers. The ranchers who I also know are not averse to a solution. I have some ideas that I will present to the CTF. So be patient, carry an extra liter, and mind your manners. If you get in trouble in the Cochatopa Hills, Shane may be your best (only) friend.
chris
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#5
Right you are Chris. The ranchers around Cochetopa have been a big help to CT hikers for years… APPLE
APPLE
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#6
Cowboys have driven me to town for resupply on more occasions than I can count. I just wish as a society we chose not to eat so much beef. It’s the environmental equivalent of driving '72 Buicks and throwing trash out the windows.
Matt
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#7
Ranchers are good people, but cows have been grazed on over 90% of public lands in the west and done a tremendous amount of environmental damage. If all public land grazing was ended, that would only mean three percent fewer cows so you wouldn’t have to stop eating beef, although if everyone did the benefits to the planet would be enormous. The inability of public agencies to properly manage grazing due to political interference will probably result in the end of public lands grazing. If ranchers want to keep that way of life then they had better pressure the agencies for more emphasis on environmental concerns rather than less.
Brett