I’ve noticed a disturbing trend that continues to grow while out hot springing of late – using a natural hot springs as a public bath with soap and/or shampoo. A HUGE, HUGE no no.
I even had an associate debate me on the merits of how you get dirty ‘out there’ and need to clean up every so often. That’s all well and good, but the problem is that ALL forms of soap and shampoo pollute water sources.
Soap and shampoo (even plastic tarps) produce a foreign substance that not only pollutes the environment but can become invasive as well.
Mother nature can’t breakdown soap and shampoo. Fish and wildlife eat the foreign substance, and so fourth. It is also ILLEGAL. Just plain bad news in general.
Please do yourself and all hot springs and waterways a solid by keeping all soap and shampoo (including bio or natural based products) at least 200 feet from any and all water sources: creeks, lakes, rivers, reservoirs, springs and so fourth.
Thank You and Happy Soaks!
Please, please also tell and encourage everyone to pick up their toilet paper!!! the dispersed camping areas near these pools are becoming filthy from people who don’t know, or don’t care enough to maintain and care for them. Looks like pigs have been in there. If this trend isn’t stopped, the Fs may very well close these pools to public access.
Ruth, I couldn’t agree more!
Well said! 🙂