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Show youll see for a while. While the Park Service maintains fairly bathrooms (about one every 10 miles), there is no potable water. It is not a good idea to rely on river water, since it is only accessible on the northwestern side of the loop and requires filtering. Therefore, groups should bring in their own. A good rule of thumb is 6 gallons of water per person, per day. This includes drinking, and dish and cooking water. Because of the fire threat and scarcity of w'ood, fires are not allowed on the White Rim. All cooking is done with gas user-friend- ly camp stoves or charcoal. A 1 bag six last should of charcoal people four days. A Dutch oven is a godsend for trips like this and should be required gear. If youve never used one, dont worry. They n are (nearly) idiot proof. A quality Dutch oven can be bought at Army-Nav- y surplus stores, river supply stores for $30-4If planand even fire charcoal, a sturdy pan is ning to also required an oil pan works nicely. And while were on the subject of fires, cast-iro- Wal-Ma- rt 5. u-- - dont forget matches, a long butane Top - Hardscrabble Hill. Cars and bikes are not allowed on the hike which leads over Other indispensable (but easily forgettable) items include: rain tarps, garbage bags, headlamps, batteries, buckets for dishes, large strainer, soap, bleach, large cooking pot (you dont want to have to finance one at City Market in Moab), hot pads, coffee pot and dish towels (can be dried by tying to the cars antennae). The list of course goes on. A good rule of thumb is to take the car camping approach: If in doubt, bring it. These items are not dispensable, but are nice to have and guaranteed to make you the envy of camp: a propane lantern, chair with legs (not a Crazy a high-bac- k isms. Wildlife also depends on them for wet Creek), bicycle a wipes, a stand-u- p drinking source, so dont go putting tool pump, binoculars, a standard-size- d feet or any other part kit (not just the mini bike kits) and a your dirty hands, of your body in there. Same goes for side beer bottle opener. streams. Also, resist the urge to forego the tent, You may think its cool to drop your sleeping pad or rain gear. No matter how banana peel off the edge of Vertigo Void clear the skies or how sunny the forecast, and watch it splat, but its not. Same goes it will rain. Its only a matter of when. with an apple core, sandwich crusts or And last but not least, leave Fido at anything else thats not native to the LEAVE NO TRACE 19, 1999 narrow causeways to a view of a former outlaw's hideout and Indian lookout tower. The White Crack Trail is a spur off the main trail that marks the geographical halfway point of the trip. Bikes and cars are allowed on the 1.5 mile spur that accesses one of the most scenic and expansive overlooks on the trip. Some parties use it as a jumping off point for an overnight backj rawnraniin ai Nancy Richmond - Srati-s packing trip. te desert environment. Organic or not, these things are garbage and can adversely effect native wildlife. Strain dish water of food and scatter water away from AND STAY OFF THE BLACK STUFF The dry, rocky landscape may look tough, but its not. The Park Service will camp. instruct your party with a video on the Birds, rodents and other crawly critproper protocol for desert environment. ters love human food and have gotten But in the meantime, heres a few refreshers: brazen about obtaining it. Keep food off The black, crumbly stuff covering the ground at all times, and dont leave the ground is not just dirt. It is cryptobi-oti- c food containers open or turn your back soil, a living organism that keeps for a second (theyve been known to walk ever)thing else from up and blowing away off with whole bags of Oreos). in the wind. It takes decades to form but Keep the car and bikes on the road. second ruin careless with to a When hiking, try to stay on the trail or steps. Those mud puddles are actually other durable surfaces such as rocks or mini worlds, complete with micro-orga- n sandy washes. 12 a Cross Currents - March -- Nancy Richmond, Missy Votel) Many interesting side hikes await bikers willing to get off their bike and stretch their legs. The Fort Bottom Trail is near the top of lighter and lighter fluid. It is amazing how' a trip leaders popularity can plummet if he or she forgets any of these items. In a pinch, camp stove white gas can be used as lighter fluid very carefully. As far as for stoves, a propane propane be plenty for a large party should bomb for three or four days. home. to bottom: (credits .t.-.- V . s Missy Vote! While all the rules, regulations, lists should be fun. So dont forget to smile -jand gear can be daunting, dont lose sight ust watch out for bugs on the downhills. of the real reason for going to the White Rim. The White Rim is supposed to be a Missy Votel, the editor of Cross and Currents relaxing, breathtaking magazine, is still trying to get all wilderness. It should inspire the red desert dirt off her truck from her trip into the the mind and free the soul. Above all, it White Rim trip. awe-inspiri- ng |