Backcountry Human waste management
Portable toilet initiative
Recognizing human waste as a threat to the environmental integrity of Crested Butte’s local watersheds, CCWC initiated and became an active partner in the effort to manage human waste in backcountry areas near Crested Butte. For the past several years, local partners, including CCWC, have provided portable toilets to popular dispersed camping sites and trailheads. These portable toilets have prevented thousands, if not tens of thousands, of pounds of human waste from entering local landscapes and waterways.
Musicians Camp toilet
In 2018, CCWC partnered with the US Forest Service and Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District to install a permanent toilet facility at the Musicians’ Camp, in the Upper Slate River Watershed. Since its installation, the facility has intercepted over 1,000 pounds of human waste that would otherwise be deposited in the watershed.
Washington gulch toilet
In 2020, the CCWC partnered with the Town of Crested Butte, the US Forest Service, and the National Forest Foundation to install a permanent structure, with two vault toilets, in the Washington Gulch Watershed about 1.6 miles past the Long Lake Trailhead.
Based on pumping records from portable toilets at nearby sites, CCWC expects the new permanent toilets to intercept about 800 pounds of human waste each year. By capturing this waste in an appropriate facility, the project protects watershed health, water quality, and improves the recreational experience.
Based on pumping records from portable toilets at nearby sites, CCWC expects the new permanent toilets to intercept about 800 pounds of human waste each year. By capturing this waste in an appropriate facility, the project protects watershed health, water quality, and improves the recreational experience.
