Lets Be Safe Out There.

One important issue, we strive to make our visitors aware of, is safety.  Much of the Four Corners area is a wilderness and, unless you’ve done your homework, many people come to the Center unaware of what to expect when they’re out seeing the sites.

The basics are to carry at least two liters of water per person; leave for your destination with a full tank of gasoline; bring healthy, high protein snacks; and we always recommend bring a meal to have as a picnic.  Charged cellphones are helpful, but in many areas, good luck getting a signal.  The same goes for Wi-Fi and Satellite service, so those GPS units might not be as reliable as you believe them to be.

Instead of depending on battery power, depend on your own brain power.

Bring maps of the area you want to explore; stop at the Center as it has a vast variety of local maps.

Bring a compass with you; it is easy to become lost in a forest and/or canyon area where “it might all look the same”, or landmarks are not easily discernible.

This might sound silly to most, but wear a pedometer!  500 steps equals approximately a quarter of a mile; you’ll know how far you have walked, how far still to go, and how far back to your vehicle, or trailhead entrance.

If you’re only driving around to see sites, depend on your odometer.  From a major roadway, set the odometer to zero to verify the distance you are traveling to a site.  Bring paper and writing utensil with you; mark down road signs, landmarks and those odometer readings to help you get to your destination, or back track if you become lost.

We, at the Monticello Welcome Center, want you to, not only, enjoy your adventure to the fullest, but be safe doing it.

~ Mary Cokenour ~