TL;DR
Trail crews in Colorado are cleaning up extensive human waste left by hikers at Blue Lakes, following new regulations to limit waste and group sizes. The cleanup aims to protect water and wildlife, but the full scope of the issue remains ongoing.
Colorado trail crews are actively removing years of accumulated human waste from Blue Lakes Trail, a popular hiking destination near Ouray, following reports of widespread contamination and ecological impact.
Trailworkers with the National Forest Foundation (NFF) are clearing out significant amounts of human feces left behind by hikers over months and years at Blue Lakes Trail, which attracts over 35,000 visitors annually. The cleanup is in response to an increase in waste-related issues, including contamination of water sources and risks to local wildlife. Recent regulations by the U.S. Forest Service, implemented on May 31, require visitors to pack out their waste, limit group sizes to six, and ban campsites at two of the three main lakes. Despite these measures, the extent of waste buildup has prompted large-scale cleanup efforts, with volunteers describing the situation as an ‘abundance of human shit.’ The cleanup aims to restore the health of the watershed and protect local ecosystems, especially wildlife that may be ingesting or foraging around contaminated sites.
Why It Matters
This situation highlights the environmental challenges posed by high visitor numbers in sensitive alpine ecosystems. Human waste contamination threatens water quality, endangers wildlife, and diminishes the natural beauty of Blue Lakes. The cleanup reflects broader concerns about sustainable recreation and the need for responsible stewardship of public lands to ensure these areas remain healthy for future generations.
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Background
Blue Lakes Trail is one of Colorado’s most popular hikes, drawing thousands annually to its three turquoise lakes beneath Mount Sneffels. Over time, increasing visitation has led to resource impacts such as trail erosion, soil compaction, and trash accumulation. In response, the U.S. Forest Service introduced new regulations to mitigate environmental damage, including waste pack-out requirements and campsite restrictions. Despite these efforts, the buildup of human waste remained a significant problem, prompting the recent cleanup operations by the NFF and local conservation groups.
“We thought there might be a little waste, but it’s just all over the place—an abundance of human shit.”
— A volunteer from the Southwest Conservation Corps
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What Remains Unclear
It is still unclear how much waste remains to be removed and whether the new regulations will sufficiently reduce future waste buildup. The long-term effectiveness of current measures and ongoing visitor compliance are also uncertain.
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What’s Next
Next, conservation groups and the Forest Service plan to monitor the impact of new regulations, continue cleanup efforts, and promote responsible recreation practices. They aim to restore and maintain the health of Blue Lakes’ watershed while allowing continued public access.
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Key Questions
How much human waste has been found at Blue Lakes?
Officials estimate that years of accumulated waste have created a significant contamination issue, with volunteers describing the situation as an ‘abundance of human shit,’ though exact quantities are still being assessed.
What regulations have been implemented to address the problem?
Effective May 31, the U.S. Forest Service mandated that visitors pack out all human waste, limited group sizes to six people, and banned campsites at two of the three main lakes to reduce environmental impact.
Are these cleanup efforts sufficient to solve the problem?
The cleanup is a critical step, but it remains uncertain whether the new regulations and ongoing efforts will fully address the waste buildup or prevent future issues.
How does human waste affect local wildlife?
Wildlife such as marmots may forage around contaminated sites, potentially ingesting fecal matter, which can introduce pathogens and disrupt local ecosystems.
Source: Outside
