08/04/2026
EDIT: WOW! We're certainly happy to see that the subject of p**p has generated so much conversation amongst our online community. Thank you to those of you who have mentioned your own preferred methods for packing out waste such as double-bagging, coffee cans, store-bought containers, etc. 👏👏👏
To provide a little bit more context on why packing out pet waste is so important, here are a couple of points to consider:
1️⃣ Pet waste is significantly different from that of wild animals such as bears, fish and other animals. When a bear p**ps in the woods, they redistribute valuable native nutrients from the flora and fauna that they're consuming in the ecosystem that they live in. When a dog p**ps in the woods and its left behind in mass quantities, the contents degrade into the soil and water to introduce foreign nutrients from pet food that can throw that system out of balance, as well carrying harmful bacteria and parasites such as salmonella, E coli., and giardia.
To find out more, we recommend this quick read from Leave No Trace: https://lnt.org/wildlife-p**p-versus-dog-p**p-explained/
2️⃣ As the trails in the Pikes Peak Region become more populated, little acts of kindness such as helping to pick up waste and trash (even if it isn't your own) can go a long way in helping to collectively steward the outdoor spaces that we all love to spend time in. Our Trail Ambassador team actively practices this ethic on every single one of our patrols.
Original Post:
Here's a handy tip from our Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance Trail Ambassador team: bring an empty peanut butter jar with you on your next outing to pack out your dog waste or trash without the added stink! It's an easy way to do your doody 💩 in keeping public lands clean and beautiful.
