Photo of the High Sierra
Cartoon of mules pooping

Buried in Waste...

Many hikers have complained about the manure, urine, dust, and flies that foul trails that are heavily used by stock animals. But have you ever wondered just how much manure and urine are left by stock animals each year to pollute the High Sierra? Read on if you are brave.

In the John Muir and Ansel Adams wilderness areas alone, there are about 1,500 commercial horses and mules in operation each summer. The average mule produces 6 quarts of urine and 44 pounds of manure in 24 hours. That equals 2,250 gallons of urine and 66,000 pounds of manure each day just in these two areas. Considering that the average summer season is about 90 days, the total for the entire season would be 202,500 gallons of urine and 5,940,000 pounds (2,970 tons) of manure. (And this does not include all of the manure and urine from private stock parties or the commercial cows and sheep that encroach on these areas each year!)