Ausable River camping rules.

[Allegheny Tom]

What am I missing here? This sounds crazy...

• • Do not tie/tack anything to standing trees, including (but not limited to) horses, pets, laundry lines, garbage bags.

In addition to what is stated in this rule, I assume this means no hammocks, no bear bag hanging or strap blue barrel to a tree, can't hang a gravity filter from a tree, no tarps tied to trees, tie-up canoe at camp, and I'm sure there's a few other potential violations I haven't thought about.
Geeze, even the BW allows tying/strapping stuff to trees. I understand and support "no nails, screws, etc" but strapping a gravity filter to a tree is worthy of a fine??

 

[Penns Woods]

Where are you talking about? Is this a established camp site or in a park in general?

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Established camps on Cooke Dam Pond.
Sites are reservable.
I was reading thru my reservation and I saw that rule. I still can't believe they enforce anything like that.

 

[Alan Gage]

Established camps on Cooke Dam Pond.
Sites are reservable.
I was reading thru my reservation and I saw that rule. I still can't believe they enforce anything like that.

It does seem odd but if it's a drive-in campsite I'm guessing that it's been abused in the past, hence the rule, and it would be a bit more understandable.

Alan

 

[Allegheny Tom]

It does seem odd but if it's a drive-in campsite I'm guessing that it's been abused in the past, hence the rule, and it would be a bit more understandable.

Alan

These are boat-in sites. There are also drive in sites but my reservation is for paddle in.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

Item 12 under "Need to Know":

Ausable River Camping, Huron-Manistee National Forests - Recreation.gov

Explore Ausable River Camping in Huron-Manistee National Forests, Michigan with Recreation.gov. AuSable River Dispersed Camping is a unique series of 102 individually designated single-family campsites on a 55-mile stretch of the lovely AuSable River. All

www.recreation.gov

 

[dramey]

They keep coming up with more rules and eventually, it will be impossible to legally camp.

 

[Black_Fly]

There should be artificial trees in drive-in campgrounds - metal posts with cross beams and hooks - akin to established fire pits and grates.

I hate camping in full sun where all the trees are dead. I’ve been down the Ausable. It’s crowded. I’ve seen 5* campsites in BWCA ruined by overuse, rope hangers, and vandalism.

 

[tketcham]

Do not tie/tack anything to standing trees... I assume this means no hammocks...

I wonder if the "do not tie" restriction is based on having trees essentially girdled from ropes or straps being tightly tied around them. Using a beefy tree strap with a hammock is different than tying a rope or thin strap around a tree, although with young or tight-barked trees even a strap can cause damage to the cambium if it doesn't distribute the force right.

 

[Black_Fly]

I wonder if the "do not tie" restriction is based on having trees essentially girdled from ropes or straps being tightly tied around them. Using a beefy tree strap with a hammock is different than tying a rope or thin strap around a tree, although with young or tight-barked trees even an ineffective strap can cause damage to the cambium.

Back in my Wyoming outfitting days, I often used the cinch from pack horses as tree savers. They did a fine job of protecting trees. Seems like a product like that would be promoted more in regulations, and by outfitters.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

So I tried to call yesterday to ask some questions. That was a joke. 100% automated, nobody to speak with.
So I messaged them, no reply as of yet. I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

There should be artificial trees in drive-in campgrounds - metal posts with cross beams and hooks - akin to established fire pits and grates.
.......I’ve been down the Ausable. It’s crowded. I’ve seen 5* campsites in BWCA ruined by overuse, rope hangers, and vandalism.

This is just a 2 night stop on our way to the UP. We wanted to see AuSable R but I am not expecting to be all by ourselves.

 

[tketcham]

Back in my Wyoming outfitting days, I often used the cinch from pack horses as tree savers. They did a fine job of protecting trees. Seems like a product like that would be promoted more in regulations, and by outfitters.

That's a heck of a tree strap.

I was doing some web searches and there are quite a few straps available that look like they'd work, but they weren't exactly what I'd like to get. I want something to improve the weight bearing of the 1" straps I'm using now. They're OK, not great. May have to make my own.

 

[Black_Fly]

That's a heck of a tree strap.

I was doing some web searches and there are quite a few straps available that look like they'd work, but they weren't exactly what I'd like to get. I want something to improve the weight bearing of the 1" straps I'm using now. They're OK, not great. May have to make my own.

Yes, that’s not one I’d use on a tree. The smooth ones from a lash rope are better for that purpose, but I’d have to dig for a picture of one of those. The mohair saddle cinches (pictured) are way too pricey and important for trees.

 

[Black_Fly]

Here’s one I’ve used for trees many times. Very durable and very tree friendly. Lash cinch.

 

[recped]

I was doing some web searches and there are quite a few straps available that look like they'd work, but they weren't exactly what I'd like to get. I want something to improve the weight bearing of the 1" straps I'm using now. They're OK, not great. May have to make my own.

Have you had a look at climbing webbing or slings?

Some come in Polyester but even the Nylon ones are relatively low stretch.

 

[tketcham]

Have you had a look at climbing webbing or slings?

I looked at slack line tree straps but didn't see what I'm after. I did find a utility belt that might work. I could easily remove the buckle and add some loops to hold my hammock ridgeline tree strap in place. The belt would provide good force distribution and extra padding against the tree. I have a single tree hammock setup with a Tensa pole so just need one strap.

ToughBuilt Polyester Heavy Duty Padded Belt with Back Support 4.25 in. L X 13.5 in. H Black/Orange O Mfr# TB-CT-41P-2BES - Ace Hardware

The ToughBuilt Padded Belt with Back Support and heavy-duty buckle is the first work belt that is truly customizable to the size of each consumer. The zip-off padding extension fits 32" to 48" waists comfortably - without folding over the padding. Featuring a unique self-customizable belt...

www.acehardware.com