Spent 4 days on Alder Lake after entry from East Bearskin last week. Attempted to stay at the far western campsite on the peninsula on Alder. After getting camp partially set up I noticed multiple piles of human feces in and around the camp. Upon further investigation I found an additional 15 places where people crapped on the ground around camp all not buried with toilet paper and all. There was also a whole discarded bass (nice size) laying two feet off the latrine trail. After picking up some garbage and burying two dumps we left for another campsite. I am posting this as a warning for folks who venture to Alder Lake and a reminder that not all people share the same leave no trace values when entering the BWCA. I may be preaching to the choir here but please consider what "leave no trace" actually looks like at your campsite. Thanks folks and happy paddling.

I'm sorry to hear that, but thanks for posting and cleaning up. As a matter of course, I do a thorough inspection of a campsite, latrine, and surrounding areas before setting up camp.

quote boonie: "I'm sorry to hear that, but thanks for posting and cleaning up. As a matter of course, I do a thorough inspection of a campsite, latrine, and surrounding areas before setting up camp."

My wife and I are the same way when either out canoeing or backpacking. We are very good at Leave No Trace. It's all the people before us that worry me and what they have left to leave the camp a mess or to attract animals to the campsite.

So disappointing to hear. Thanks for taking the time to clean up the mess and post this information. We stayed at that campsite on Alder several years ago - and it's a great site. Too bad people don't respect the wilderness. I'm one of those that picks up the garbage others leave behind...twist ties, pistachio shells, tent stakes - or whatever. Every year we leave the BW with a bag full of other peoples garbage. It's a shame.