Letter: New rules needed to keep nature clean

Teresa Krolak-Owens

Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007 | 7:13 a.m.

As a former frequent visitor and current property owner in the Kyle Canyon portion of the Spring Mountain Recreation Area, I am very interested in what will take shape for controlling access to the area between the newer Mt. Charleston Hotel and the older Mt. Charleston Lodge.

Christmas Day saw hundreds of cars full of people enjoying the snow and generally living it up in the holiday spirit of things. I always get this warm and fuzzy feeling knowing that folks are out choosing to enjoy the outdoors and what the season has to offer.

The melancholy I felt while coming down the mountain Tuesday was at first from the end of the holidays and business getting back to usual. Then, as I looked off the road, this melancholy turned to actual tears, as I looked off into the snow and along the road and viewed the actual heaps of garbage left over from these people.

This is nothing new for the area, but when the Forest Service talks of restricting private motorized vehicle access past the Mt. Charleston Hotel, I have to say I'll be first on the list lending my support.

If we can't respect what the rules are, if we can't respect that others would like to have a clean spot to have their nature experience, and if we can't police ourselves, then quite simply, we don't deserve to have unfettered access to it.

I welcome the day when no cars will be allowed to the Mary Jane trail head full of people who just want to bring in mattresses, cases of beer and garbage to leave in the forest. It will be a small inconvenience for those who actually just want to hike, but being able to have an outdoor experience that doesn't include urban trimmings is a small price to pay.

Teresa Krolak-Owens, Las Vegas