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| (f-b) - Celia - Taylor - Cole |
- Trail: Hasayampa - Box Canyon
- Miles: 7.57
- Riders: Self - Celia - Cole - Taylor
- Horses: Jack - Dirt - Shasta - Shanta
- Dogs: No dogs
Notes: Cole, Celia's son, planned to meet us at the Box Canyon trailhead off Rincon Rd about 4:30. He was running late, so Celia and I rode on up the Hasayampa to the Box Canyon. Cole and his sister-in-law, Taylor, would catch up.
What a mess. The entire section of river from the parking lot to above Box Canyon is a stinking mess. This is a common occurrence as this is a popular spot for ATV's. Evidently, groups of folks camped on the river over Easter weekend. Literally SHIT everywhere. From actual human feces, clothing, bags of household garbage, toys and plastic Easter Eggs. A large blanket has been draped between two boulders on the side of the river to act as a screen for a bathroom. The dumb bastards couldn't even use that properly and literally scattered shit and TP all over the outside.
What is wrong with these people? I have no concept of what goes through the minds of people who behave in such a way. ZERO respect for ANYTHING! Their own properties must be disgusting. They obviously had children with them - (naked and barefoot from the looks of all the clothing scattered about) - they are teaching these kids to do the exact same thing.
I don't know what the solution is; put up cameras and prosecute them once identified? I know what will happen - eventually, the area will be shut down for everyone. There are groups that go up and clean the area occasionally - but will it be enough? How do you even begin? There were these black bags full of crap just laying in the river. I don't know why they bothered. If your going to go to the trouble of pooping in a bag, you might as well dig cat holes. Perhaps they figure once the monsoons come - it will wash it all away like magic into the land of the poop-fairy and be turned into sparkling pixie dust. Fucking idiots.
On up the river into the narrows, a man was cooling his feet off, (or possibly getting ready to take a dip until we interrupted), in one of the deeper pools of water. I thought, dude...I hope your up to date on your immunizations! I wasn't terribly comfortable with my horse wading through it.
It was hard to enjoy such a beautiful area when everywhere you looked...trash. Some of it buzzing with insects and stinking to high heaven. There was a dead cow in the area that didn't smell as bad as some of it. It would be a perfect place to sit on a log and rest for a spell. Nope...not sitting on that log...not with the feces covered butt wipe clinging to it.
Ugh...I'm done ranting about it. I'll look into finding a group that's interested in cleaning it up or just go up and do it myself. Not sure how to pack it out though....no way I'm putting it in any of my pack bags...I'd have to throw them out! Good hell...I'm really done ranting now.
Celia and I rode up into the narrows for a bit after leaving the box canyon. On the way back, we met up with Cole and Taylor and rode with them back into the narrows for a spell. This section was a little less trashed as it's slightly harder for folks to access.
We got back to the trailers just as the sun began to set -
