Trailhead parking

“On a trip to the Trinity Alps last summer my truck was broken into and two of my tires stolen. A tow truck and $800 later I am wondering if I can ever go back. There were at least 10 other vehicles with the same damage. Anybody else have trailhead problems or any ideas how to prevent them?”

“I had my front plate stolen at Assateague Island down in Maryland. That was the only time my truck was ever messed with (knocking on wood now). I'm always a little nervous now about leaving my truck at the trail head. It's a GD shame isn't it?”

“Somebody took a pee on Sloppy Joes truck. The must have preferred Chevy's.”

“I'm suprised to say I haven't had an issue yet.

I'm sure it's only a matter of time.”

“It's the busy highway trailheads that you have to be careful with (such as many of the Harriman trailheads in NY). Nobody except for hunters and hikers go to the remote backcountry trailheads that are at the end of some dirt road somewhere (think Upper Works in the Adirondack Mtns).

Fortunately, my car hasn't been messed with yet [knocks on wood]”

“Someone threw two beer bottles through both back windows of my van about 15 years ago when I was out for a trail run. I was only out for about 2 hours and came back to see that. Another time, I went snowshoeing one afternoon with a friend and when we got back to his car someone smashed the back side window, but didn't take anything. In both cases it was most likely just some local drunks, but it happened in broad daylight and not overnight.”

“I'm usually sporting a rental at the TH. I've alway's felt more comfortable if it wasn't my car.”

“i actually heard assateague island locals are really nasty with tourists.”

“I watched Pathman break into a car once.”

“I usually only go to remote trailhead parking & have never had a problem with trailhead parking (other than locking my keys in the car). One remote location in the Adirondacks, my brother-in-law actually left my door slightly open for 4 days. Nothing was bothered or taken. I've never been bothered in the Catskills. I have heard of cars being bothered in the high-traffic touristy locations (incl high peaks in the Adirondacks) but I generally avoid these popular spots.”

“i havent had problems at the trailhead, but one time i was driving too fast at red river gorge and ran off the road and into the trees, and in my haste to go get help, i left a window down (i had to to get out, the doors wouldnt open) and i came back just in time to see a couple of redneck aceholes taking everything out of my car. they fled, but not before they got over 800 worth of gear including my pack, tent, sleeping bag, camera, and everything else in my pack. i hate people”

“That really sucked the most ever. Seeing CB's stuff disapeer is the only experience I've had with theft or vandalism at (or near) a trailhead. I haven't been back there yet because of it.”

“I broke into my own car, twice.”

“I had some kind person put my truck in neutral (I usually leave it unlocked) and roll it down the hill into the creek. After that, I learned to never park the truck facing a slope.”

“On a trip with my dad in Canada his truck was damamged. Someone tore open the truck bed cover and scratched the paint and bent the canoe rack. Then we realized it was a bear.”

“i actually heard assateague island locals are really nasty with tourists.”ScorchFire
11:07:38 PM
2/13/05

Yes. I was assaulted by a gang of Horses. They clobbered me with their shoes. I was in the hospital for a week.”

“I’ve only had one incident where someone busted out my window and took a nice set of Blaupunkt speakers and my whole take case. The worst part was my face plate for my stereo was in the tape case. A three hour drive home in December with a window busted out and no tunes just sucks. I really don’t even think about it much. Red River Gorge is the only place I feel nervous about leaving my Jeep at the trailhead.”

“Not personally, but a friends father's car got vandalized down on 19E back in the 80's. The only thing they took of mine was my set of keys.

I try to avoid packing stuff thats not going on the trail. I figure the less eye candy they see the better my chances on returning to a secure truck are.

Vandals are the only thing I hate about hiking. I have to admit though I have had some serious dreams about baiting and beating some of those folks.”

“Vandalism and theft are some of the reasons I restrict most of my backpacking to GSMNP. I know most of the reasonably safe places to park and places not to park. And I try to stay updated on happenings there, like a few years ago Abrams CG trailhead parking area experienced some break-ins. Eventually, they caught one or more guilty parties. A few year previous to that, there were problems at Big Creek. A stakeout resulted in putting a stop to that on a New Year's Day.

I consider trailhead parking on the Road to Nowhere to be reasonably safe. However, with good reasons I avoid parking there on high school football nights, prom and graduation weekends.

I have not experienced any problems, personally, at GSMNP. However, I did have an experience elsewhere, but not at the trailhead. See: Stop, thief!

Since my car is usually full, I normally cover everything inside with a tarp.

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last edited: 2/14/05 9:14:45 AM”

“We once had someone steal a whole AT shelter, but then we realized we had parked at the wrong trailhead.”

“RRG is where 2scoops wrecked his car. While he was gone people took all of his gear.”

“"I haven't been back there yet because of it.”

well, im glad to see ive had an effect on somebodys life”

“yeah I am sure those people liked your gear.”

“Jeff and I went out for a 3 day backpack trek and came back to find notes on my Rav, from someone we expected to hook up with, but missed...As I reached to put the key in the door, I saw that it was unlocked. Nothing was taken...all the beer was still in the cooler...and the laptop was on the backseat floor. Another time, I left my keys dangling from the tail gate and someone took them out, locked everthing up and then put the keys in a styrofoam cup and marked it with "keys" and put it under my rear tire. another time (just last weekend) I went out for my weekend trek and forgot to lock the doors and left all my money in the console out of site. Nothing was messed with...

I think that where I live and travel has alot to do with not having problems...no big city horseholes and no mean nasty people...plus, Im a nice person and Karma looks out for me when its needed and punishes me when I need it.

just remember...mean people suck!”

“Yep, happens quite regularly in the Southern California area. Had my window broken, but nothing stolen and no other damage to my car.”

“...and nice people....(well you know)?”

“I once found a cell phone on the ground right next to the driver door of a car parked next to mine. It had to of fallen out as he/she exited the car. I picked it up and placed it under the driver side wiper blade, so the person couldn't miss it when they got in the car. I wondered what their reaction was when they found the phone, and hope someone would do the same for me in a similar situation. I guess I believe in karma also.”

“has anyone tried to google the word "trailheads" near you?

well I just did. it was orgasmic....

never thought about doing that”

“I googled New Jersey trail head...

pretty cool”

“i'd be affraid to put the words "trail" and "head" into a search engine from my work computer...think, road head”

“How bout backcountry parking, or trailside parking, or trail access.”

“Lots of postings for head on the trail, call 555-1234.

Oh wait, that was the bathroom stall from this morning.”

“you dumb turkeys.

try Hiking trailheads.


geesh...”

“[ evil grin ]”

“Hiking trailhead? Is that what i call Mrs. opie when I take her with me?”