07/27/2023
Did you know that the owner of the Crystal Mill closed access to the river now?!
Visitors to the Crystal Mill used to be able to access the river for better views by either paying $10 to the attendant or staying in one of their cabins at the Crystal Mountain Ranch. The owner has now removed that right because of inconsiderate and uneducated PEOPLE.
Now I stress the word people because many out there like to blame generalized industries. Activist groups like to blame hikers, hikers like to blame off roaders, jeepers like to blame side-by-side owners, etc. Now these groups are actively trying to get the other groups banned, even on public lands because of destruction that is happening.
So back to the subject of the Crystal Mill, I read an article on the subject and it astounded me to read what the owner and workers were having to deal with. Someone pulling a gun when asked to pay $10, a hiker attaching a hammock to the mill, people taking pieces off the mill, and even walking into some of the historic houses that are inhabited by guests or ranch workers.
But it’s not just the Crystal Mill that is restricting access. The Navajo Nation has now closed access to the Grand Falls in Arizona because of inconsiderate people. Piles of trash would be left at the location, then blow away and onto tribe members properties. It is not ANYONES responsibility to take your trash!! If you take it in, you can take it out.
Many people blame Instagram but the real issue is lack of education or just straight up rude and inconsiderate people. We can’t do anything about the latter, but we can take steps to educate people so they can also enjoy the outdoors responsibly. So if you haven’t already, familiarize yourself with the principles and PLEASE follow them! We should always leave a place how we found it or better.
Please share this post so we can help spread awareness, prevent more public and private land restrictions, and leave mother nature how she is so we can ALL continue to enjoy this beautiful planet we are blessed to live on.
