I also grew up around horses so the poop just does not bother me at all, and I have never been in a place where the packers or individual riders had any impact on my experience. They have always been well off the trail and away from water and campsites. However, I hate what they do to trails. What was originally a 12-14inch step quickly becomes an 18-20 inch one. I do not know if there is much we can do about other than volunteer for a trail crew though. They have just as much right to be there as we do, and I think that they actually add value to our experience. More trails, re-supplies, emergency evacuations, and the like are all positives that they bring to the table. I just wish they would learn to replace their divets.

Ken