National Forest visitor data

“A recent thread (since deleted?) asked about seeing people of other races on the trail. Recently, Snoqualmie National Forest in Washington posted some interesting data about forest visitors. I've posted a sample, but browse through the rest of the report, it's interesting.

Snoqualmie National Forest Visitor Data report for 2001.

Age distribution of Wilderness visitors on Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

Age group / Percent in group

Under 16 12.2

16-20 0.4

21-30 70.3

31-40 4.6

41-50 10.5

51-60 1.5

61-70 0.4

Over 70 0.1

Race/ethnicity of Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Wilderness visitors.

Category / Total percent national forest visits

Black 0.7

Asian 2.0

White 95.6

Indian 0

Pacific Islander 1.1

Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino 0

Other 0.6”

“Wow whats that tell ya!!!!!

8|”

“Wow. Percentage-wise, more blacks hike in the Snoqualmie Nat'l forest than live in the state where I live (Utah -0.6%).”

“It's like I say people of all color need to get out more!

Get out of the city once in awhile and do some hiking and backpacking.

It's good for ya!

8)”

“I count my self as one of the only mexicans that hikes for fun. That one time through the desert sucked ese!”

“LMAO!!!!!!

8)”

“Those figures pretty much mirror national statistics. Most backcountry users are early twenties and white, with a secondary peak of empty nesters. The under 16 group is most likely scouts or a youth group rather than families.

If you extrapolate to future demographic trends the number of remote backcountry users will decrease relative to population, and public demands on closer in or more developed areas will increase. The land agencies are going to spend limited trail funds where the demands are, and remote backcountry trails will get less maintenance.”