His six-month sentence will be followed by one year of probation, prosecutors added. While hikers must now use hard and unsafe routes on national forest land to reach the popular falls, teams of graffiti vandals continue to spray paint the area at will. An epidemic of vandalism against natural, archeological and historical sites has led to the closure of the historic Barker Dam and the popular Rattlesnake Canyon hiking area of the Wonderland of Rocks in Joshua Tree National Park.

Almost 50 volunteers helped the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control gather the debris to be removed by helicopter.

He was tried and convicted earlier this week during a one-day trial before U.S. Magistrate David L. West in Durango.

Yoho was sentenced to six months in federal prison for dumping 4.25 tons of litter, which included items taken from a so-called “Free Box” in Telluride where residents recycle clothing and household goods.

A video was posted on YouTube to reveal the sheer scale of the trash dumped, Sheriff Masters stated: ‘I think this makes homeless people, or people undergoing severe financial problems, a bad name’.

“Individuals residing on national forest lands is not only illegal, it poses a significant public safety concern and causes damage to the resources and watersheds, as well as threatening wildlife and in some cases prevents the public from being able to safely recreate in the national forest”, said US Forest Service Special Agent Laura Mark. He was convicted of residing, maintaining a structure and leaving debris on national forest land. He is banned from all Forests and Bureau of Land Management lands.

Sheriff Bill Masters of San Miguel County said that the sentence should serve as a warning to the public that trashing the forest is not acceptable, and comes with consequences.

The court also recommended he receive mental health treatment while serving his sentence.

The Yoho’s attorney filed a motion in July to suppress statements made by the defendant to a U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officer because the officer did not disclose that he was recording the conversation or provide notice to the defendant prior to questioning him. Everywhere you can see, in all directions’.