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Post by va3pinner on Oct 4, 2020 17:35:47 GMT -5
No this isn't a troll thread, but an observation from an old guy that started hiking the Monongahela NF in the 1970's.
Instagram, FaceBook, Twitter, YouTube and a the whole Vlog-selfie social media lifestyle has ruined hiking for me. People used to go to the wilderness for solitude, some photos, a bit if of time away from the rat race, but not anymore. people hike to take photos of where they've been and post on social media. The best pictures win. Heck, I am an avid photographer, and post some items on Flickr. and granted, I have learned about some really tempting hikes from posts here and elsewhere, and I am grateful for that. But Social medial has turned a corner, and I doubt we will ever be able to go back.
On Saturday 10/3/2020 there was a traffic jam at Bear Rocks in Dolly Sods of 500 VEHICLES. 500!!!! For those who don't know, this is in a parking lot designed for maybe 20 cars at most. WV state police had to shut down the entry and sort it out. Cars were parked on both sides of a 1-1/2 lane road for more than a mile, and you could only go one way.
I wish I owned a bulldozer I would have fixed that problem.
I went to Spruce Knob (yes sometimes a I live up to being an idiot) and the parking lot there looked like WalMart on Black Friday.
Went to BlackWater Falls to try and take some pictures there, same thing.
So a weekend backpacking trip ended up being an all day drive, looking for ANYWHERE I could go for some solitude. Nada. So I just went home. It'll be the last time I ever go on a hiking trip on a weekend anywhere in WV. (well maybe). Anyway, thanks for letting me vent.
Probably the best thing I could personally do is retire, so I can go midweek.........
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Post by GaliWalker on Oct 4, 2020 21:59:10 GMT -5
Hah! I too was at Bear Rocks Saturday morning. I always plan an October hiking trip in Dolly Sods, and will periodically take a few morning shots at Bear Rocks before heading for my hike. I skipped last year, so was taken aback when I drove up to the Bear Rocks parking lot with its zillion cars at 6:35am. I was able to find a spot but a ways down the road. There were so many people there that I wore my mask almost throughout.
After Bear Rocks I visited the No Name Vista. Even this had a handful of groups pass through, whereas I usually have it to myself or at most share it with one or two others.
After that I visited Seneca Rocks. Yeah, I’m a sucker for punishment but I had my trip planned out and wasn’t going to change it. This was as bad as Bear Rocks, so I wore a mask throughout.
After that I visited Spruce Knob Lake. It was late afternoon by now and the lake had the usual amount of crowding, but the traffic I had to negotiate during the section of the drive up to Spruce Knob was the worst I’ve ever encountered.
I don’t know if this an off year, when people have been driven crazy by having other avenues of entertainment taken away by the pandemic, or if this is a sign of things to come. If it’s the latter I’ll have to rethink my traditional hiking plans in October.
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Post by va3pinner on Oct 5, 2020 5:39:01 GMT -5
Galiwalker you were in the same places I was? Was that you I was honking my horn and shaking my fist at?? Sorry I missed you. If we were smart we probably should have gone to North Fork Mountain......
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christopherrobin
Forum Elder
“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.”
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Post by christopherrobin on Oct 5, 2020 6:12:24 GMT -5
It is like that everywhere. Went to Michaux last week, and every camp site was being used. And for the first time, we had someone take our food bags down from the bear pole, go through them and steal our food. It is pretty depressing.
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Post by arfcomhkr on Oct 5, 2020 6:47:56 GMT -5
If I want solitude I usually head to Cranberry mid week. North Fork mountain isn't normally too bad either. The day hikers usually only climb up from the Cabins end. Generally less people on Canaan Mountain too.
Most places are tolerable mid week though. I just avoid doing anything on the weekends.
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Post by va3pinner on Oct 5, 2020 7:21:50 GMT -5
How are the mountain bikers on Canaan mountain? That's someplace I have not been in a long time and it's a very pretty area
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Post by arfcomhkr on Oct 5, 2020 7:42:23 GMT -5
How are the mountain bikers on Canaan mountain? That's someplace I have not been in a long time and it's a very pretty area
I rarely saw any mid week. All bets are off when it comes to weekends though.
A big advantage of being retired is that I don't have to fight the crowds. The downside is that I need a new knee and won't be humping a pack.
I don't think I'd blame it all on the internet.
I think this year with all the virus crap just has people staying closer to home. They probably want to be outside more than normal since they can't do other things. They consider hiking/camping a safe option. The FS campgrounds were booked solid for the season once they opened. All of the camping, fishing gear and kayaks pretty much sold out.
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Post by GaliWalker on Oct 5, 2020 8:52:15 GMT -5
Galiwalker you were in the same places I was? Was that you I was honking my horn and shaking my fist at?? Sorry I missed you. If we were smart we probably should have gone to North Fork Mountain...... Betcha, North Fork Mountain would have been crowded too. You do realize that the two us are also part of the problem!
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Post by va3pinner on Oct 5, 2020 9:20:22 GMT -5
I learned a long time ago when I point a finger at someone, there are at least three pointing back at me.
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Post by va3pinner on Oct 5, 2020 9:20:55 GMT -5
I learned a long time ago when I point a finger at someone, there are at least three from the same hand pointing back at me.
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Post by anfhiker on Oct 5, 2020 11:20:38 GMT -5
It's been busier than usual here as well, basically all year. Most trailheads that I frequent have been full on weekends. Weekdays are more like typical. I've seen and heard some horror stories about the traffic in Pine Creek Gorge and around Benezette the last couple weekends. I'm hopeful that when the "city folk" can go to their sporting events, concerts and movie theaters again, it will clear back out for those of us who are more local. It just may be the "new normal" where we see a large increase in activity in the wild areas of PA, WV and VA though.
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vdeal
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Post by vdeal on Oct 5, 2020 14:24:12 GMT -5
As I've said a gazillion times, don't go to popular areas on the weekends unless it's the middle of the winter. I was at Roaring Plains on Thursday, Oct. 1st and hiked out and back South Prong Tr. and Hidden Passage to the pipeline. There were probably a few more cars than normal on FS19 but not bad. We saw exactly 5 people and 2 dogs on the 8 mile hike. Colors were very nice. As far as weekends just go anywhere that isn't in a guide book. You know those places don't you?
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Post by va3pinner on Oct 5, 2020 14:56:39 GMT -5
Wish I knew more of them. I know we've had that conversation before, but as I am still working, sometimes weekends are my only option. But will be retiring soon so that should change. Weather permitting (and I mean no full blown storms, I don't care about rain) I'll be up in RP SundayPM - Tues next week. Looking forward to it. I should have tried Flatrock Run trail, only one car parked there that day, but I'd already called my wife and told her I was cooming home. If I didn't show up I know she'd panic.
I posted a similar message on another BP site and it's interesting the volume of responses I 've gotten. It's a problem all over the country.
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vdeal
Forum Elder
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Post by vdeal on Oct 6, 2020 8:21:20 GMT -5
I think the pandemic lock down is driving part of it plus this year we are experiencing the best color in many, many years. 500 cars is insane though. I'll be biking this week but back in the mountains the next two likely. I won't go on weekends and I won't go to any of the popular sites. I expect to see few people. While it may be somewhat selfish I don't post the places I go or many pics. That would just excerbate the problem. If someone asks I'll PM them especially long time members of this board. I expect the following to be quite busy for the next several weekends: Dolly Sods, some parts of RP, NFM, Otter Creek, Canaan Mt, Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley, the Highland Scenic Highway and maybe Cranberry & Tea Creek. There are plenty of places I didn't mention. Study your maps and even old guidebooks. Pick the less interesting spots - they are still great in their own ways and if at all possible go Tuesday through Thursday - many less people. Having a bit of off-putting weather will drive some away also. I think there's a chance of rain this weekend.
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vdeal
Forum Elder
Posts: 616
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Post by vdeal on Oct 6, 2020 8:22:59 GMT -5
BTW, va3pinner, there was only 1 car for Flatrock Plains on Thursday and they've moved the parking area down by the bridge at Red creek. Years ago we just parked along the road. Seems that the field we used to walk through now has a large buidling of some sort in it also.
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Post by virginiapine on Oct 21, 2020 14:12:31 GMT -5
I was on N end of Spruce Mtn and then Canaan Mtn 2 weekends ago (Oct. 10-11). Colors were coming in so there was a fair amount of traffic on the Loop Road but if you knew where to look, campsites could be found near the road. I did an out-and-back on Spruce Mtn and the Railroad Grade Trail on Canaan on each morning, respectively, and saw exactly zero other hikers. There were also only a few cars up at the top of FR 60 (past Whitegrass XC ski area) in the morning so that approach to Dolly Sods might be a good place to try.
This past weekend I went to the Laurel Fork roadless area of the Geo. Washington/Jeff NF (borders with the Monongahela NF in NW Highland Cty, VA) and saw no other hikers either (the Locust Springs picnic area had a grand total of 5 cars). Of course, the fact that I spend 90% of my time off the mapped trails (though much of the time on old logging roads) might have something to do with it...
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Post by kbusko on Nov 2, 2020 13:01:07 GMT -5
It's been busier than usual here as well, basically all year. Most trailheads that I frequent have been full on weekends. Weekdays are more like typical. I've seen and heard some horror stories about the traffic in Pine Creek Gorge and around Benezette the last couple weekends. I'm hopeful that when the "city folk" can go to their sporting events, concerts and movie theaters again, it will clear back out for those of us who are more local. It just may be the "new normal" where we see a large increase in activity in the wild areas of PA, WV and VA though. I agree that we are seeing record numbers of people on the trails this year. Especially the popular locations. One has to choose carefully. Avoid the Instagram/Facebook locations. In October I was able to backpack the State College Region of the Mid State Trail, the Green Monster 50K route and the John P. Saylor Trail and (other than the group I was with) saw only one other backpacker and maybe 10 dayhikers. You can still find the solitude, you just have to dig a little deeper to do so.
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Post by GaliWalker on Apr 1, 2021 18:55:50 GMT -5
Looks like FR 75 will be closed through 2021 to keep crowds down.
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Post by arfcomhkr on Apr 2, 2021 7:12:10 GMT -5
Looks like FR 75 will be closed through 2021 to keep crowds down.
I'm not seeing that in this notice. Says until mid April or when conditions allow. Not saying it isn't going to happen, but.
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Post by GaliWalker on Apr 2, 2021 8:38:03 GMT -5
Drat, you're correct! I was had by an April Fool's joke! Yuck, I hate that prank. Sorry folks.
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