Letter to the editor: Restrooms disappearing from Mount Graham trailheads

John Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald – Mount Graham

Dear Editor,

I am a founding member of the Gila Valley Hiking Club. why? Because we wanted to explore Mount Graham and all its nooks and crannies. Since 2015, we have been helping to maintain the trails. We have worked together to prevent erosion. We helped the Forest Service obtain grants to provide new tags.

On our final hike on the Clarke Peak Trail, we let newcomers know that there are restrooms right in front of the trailhead. What a surprise it was demolished when we got there! There was nothing but enclosures.

Most recently, we made a restroom stop at the Round the Mountain Trailhead. It was demolished too! The picnic table was still there. The enclosure was still there.

I really don’t know what the Forest Service was thinking! People camp at these places. There was accommodation for them. Now we will find poop and toilet paper in our picnic areas and trails.

As you leave the mountains, you’ll see a sign stating that the Coronado National Forest is “proper land.” It feels like the Forest Service has not lived up to its publicity.Since the last fire, little effort has been made to restore the trail. Hiking clubs have done a lot to restore the trail. Now they are demolishing the facility for public use and sanitation. Maybe a picnic table is next? You can have your lunch sitting on the ground, but I much prefer using the restrooms when I’m on Mount Graham. It feels like the Forest Service is trying to discourage the use of Mount Graham.