Trails We Love to Death

“The Bright Angel & S. Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon...

Apparently, in Oregon (Although I haven't been to these place yet)
Mount Jefferson's Jeff Park
Mount Hood's Paradise Park
Three Sisters' Green Lakes Basin

Thankfully there are guide books and resources like TT!!!”

“Nothing worse than getting to your hiking destination and realizing it's a freeway...”

“If you really hiked there would be no ugly surprises for you.”

“Ten years ago, the AT from Clingman's Dome down to Newfound Gap was nothing but exposed roots. I can only guess what it's like now, after another decade of overuse and erosion.”

“The beginning of the Mist Trail up to Vernal Falls in the Yosemite Valley was quite busy when we were there in the Summer. It felt more like moving in a line for a Disney ride at times.

It was still beautiful though.”

“Tilt I did that section last fall and I don't recall it being in that poor a shape. now some of the trails in the Dak's have some serious erosion.”

“We did it the first week of March back then and it seemed like it was mostly roots (and some ice) the closer we got to Clingman's Dome and on any of the steeper sections before that.”

“lol Big Coop! I'm just glad the Disneylander's don't have any real appreciation for the backcountry. Can you imagine all the baby diapers we'd find in the brush?”

“Bang for your buck...Devil's Garden/Primitive Trail in Arches NP. Toss in the short three mile RT hike to Delicate Arch, and you will understand the meaning of the word "spiritual." Glacier Point in Yosemite has the same effect.

I have always loved the Windy Gap, Pacific Crest, and the Hawkins circuit in the San Gabriel Mountains.

San Jacinto, Taquitz Peak, Boy Scout Trail in Joshua Tree, and San Gorgonio from Jencks Lake are all special.”

“any trail I am on will work for me”

“Pinch 'em Tight trail, Red River Gorge.”

“Stickman, that is a good one. I was on it a few months ago.”

“The thread was meant to imply the trails are overused hence loving them to death.

I got the idea as I was reading my Exploring Oregon's Wild Areas guide book. It points out that responsible backpackers should seek out truly wild areas and leave these trails to the tourists.

do you agree?”

“I agree that most of your wilderness experience came from a book.

If you spend time walking trails and talking to people who walk trails you will be able to tell the difference.”

“I guess I already brought this up in my Are You A Political Backpacker thread”

“though

the point isn't how much you backpack, but whether you are responsible or not when you do, bacpac

picking the road less traveled is better for the ecosystem, no?”

“biz, you're probably correct. "Responsible backpackers" (i have no idea what that alludes to) should leave "these" trails to the tourists.

What in hell does that mean? Is there something about "responsible backpackers" we day hikers who don't mind climbing the 22 miles RT to San Gorgonio and back to Jenks Lake in twelve hours don't know about?”

“maybe

I know of at least one trail that has been closed to trail runners”

“I just throw this out for discussion. I don't really have the answer. I have been known to do 22 mile day hikes...I have also spent a week in the backcountry, stroling along at a leisurly pace, and not seen a soul.

I think the National Parks would like to see less impact on overused trails, and after many years of hiking, I tend to avoid these trails too...Unless, of course I haven't done them yet Ü”

“I think the Ntional Parks would like to see more support from the Bush Administration.

Those "overused" trails have been created for us to use.

I laud you for your wilderness experience, but many of us long distance day hikers like the hiking more than the schlepping and camping, and many of the most beautiful trails in the country happen to be in National Parks and forests.

If trail users are responsible and follow the "rules" of trail use, those overused trails should simply have footprints on them. Each of us has to be responsible for the others who drop garbage, water bottles, candy wrappers, cigarette butts, diapers, dog sh_t, and the rest of the stuff we have all seen on trails, and if we see hikers cutting switchbacks and abusing the land, we should let them know about it.”

“Our Goals
Increase the influence of the hiking community on issues that
affect hiking.

Ensure that current and prospective trail users have access to information about hiking opportunities and how to safely and responsibly enjoy them.

Ensure no net loss of wildland trail miles, while improving the
physical condition of the hiking trail network.

Build sufficient organizational capacity in governance, staffing, funding and facilities to support WTA's programs”

“mountainmaster,

This is thebackpacker.com...

RE: Those "overused" trails have been created for us to use.
maybe that's why treadmills were created”

“OK...you win.”

“Why does this thread remind me of Alice Cooper?”

“I dunno Tilt.
Did it thrill your gorilla?”

“How bout that one in the AT, seems to be doing that job well...”

“I'll second Bright Angel and Pinch 'em Tight trails. I'd also like to add the section of the AT near Grayson Highlands/Mt Rogers NRA. That definitely reminded me of a highway when we were there a couple weeks ago. Actually, I think much, if not all, of the AT would look nearly as bad as Bright Angel if it wasn't constantly being re-routed and maintained by trail clubs, etc.. It's pretty heavily used these days.”

“sweet”

“Your basic point is a good one. I like to hike in places that see few people. But there is a reason certain areas are very popular -- they go to really beautiful areas that are worth visiting, at least once. Most National Parks and Wilderness areas in this country are very overused and abused -- the National Forests, National Monuments and BLM areas see fewer people, and are more fun to backpack in many ways, but they don't contain El Capitan, Arches, the Grand Canyon, etc. etc. Go during the off season, or early in the morning, and you may be able to enjoy some of the more unique beauties with some hope of solitude -- and then go on to explore the 'roads less traveled'. There are some incredibly beautiful hidden places - but most of the best ones have been discovered, turned into National Parks or Wilderness Areas -- and have become crowded playgrounds for the masses.”

“In Zion NP, the Angel's Landing hiking trail and the Observation point hiking trail are either carved out of solid rock or they are paved with concrete. No erosion problems going on there and those trails see thousands of hikers every year.

Then again, I was in a national forest this weekend and the areas I was backpacking in are so little used that there aren't any trails.”

“"The thread was meant to imply the trails are overused hence loving them to death.

I got the idea as I was reading my Exploring Oregon's Wild Areas guide book. It points out that responsible backpackers should seek out truly wild areas and leave these trails to the tourists.

do you agree?"
biz
08:15:59 PM
07/04/03

ABSOLUTELY NOT! The people responsible for management of these trails should limit tourist use - if anything should be done. "Real" backpackers are very small in number when compared to the tourist crowd.

How many of these trails mentioned allow horse traffic? That creates a huge impact on trail condition.”

“My favorite trail and the trail I love to death is the NCT!


8)”

“OK-- Is it better to have a herd of people trying to occupy the same place at the same time or send them out on risky trails with no water. There must be another solution.”

“i like the idea of sending the tourons out on the wildest trails with no water or food. backcountry darwinism”

“Good Point MP

And Hiya!”

“I think most of these areas that are "Loved to Death" are within a few miles of a road. Once past the "casual" hikers limits, you'll find a wilderness experience. I don't consider Yosemite Falls or the Mist Trail to be necessarily a wilderness experience. That said, you can't deny the beauty and I can't deny myself the occasional visit to such places. I don't believe that makes me an irresponsible backpacker. I've never been to Yellowstone, but was thinking about visiting in August, you can damn well bet I'm not going to pass up on seeing Old Faithful but I'll also see the backcountry.”