Megan, I live in the boonies of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and I am a frequent hiker. I want to encourage you to continue hiking, especially since you are a conscientious hiker. Hiking and being in nature is good for your soul and what is good for your soul is good for the Earth and the Universe.

Megan,

I am currently reading Michael Pollan's (Ominvore's Dilemma, In Defense of Food) very first book, Second Nature: A Gardener's Education, and while it is about his experience gardening, he does raise some interesting points about our relationship with the natural world, that we can never really be hands-off, because even by doing that we're creating a reaction--an overgrowth of weeds, or something else.

While I understand the idea of not having quite such a devastating impact on more "natural" areas is the idea behind leaving no trace, it creates a dichotomy between us and nature. We are, actually, a part of nature. While we certainly do more, we're not the only creatures that affect an eco-system. Another animal might just as well step on that seedling. A leafy tree might block the light another plant needs. An insect might destroy a whole forest.

So basically...enjoy the woods, and yes, try to leave as little evidence that you've been there as you can, but don't feel guilty. I think cultivated trails, especially, help keep damage to one small area, rather than spread over an entire forest, as well as encouraging an appreciation for "nature." Happy hiking! (And apologies for the book-length comment!)

Good points, Beth. Pollan's always an interesting read--I'll have to check out the book you mention.

You're right that we should not view ourselves as "seperate" from nature--a point Pollan makes often. I was being a little dramatic with the seedling mention; you're right that another animal might trample it too. But other animals don't have the combined affects of hundreds of thousands of human animals walking the same paths or driving the same roads through national parks. Insects that wreak this same level of destruction usually do so because of some sort of mishap brought on by humans: pesticides creating super bugs, or introduced species, etc. Or it's part of a larger balance of plants and bugs trading dominance as they coevolve. But when we destroy a forest in one way or another, it's "unnatural." Sure, a few knowledgeable people can walk in harmony with nature, but so many more ignorant ones will come behind.

I'll continue to feel guilty...maybe not for my own actions as I learn to eliminate my impact in the woods, but for the combined affects of all of us.