RumiDude
Trail Wise!
Marmota olympus
Posts: 2,361 
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Post by RumiDude on Feb 16, 2017 13:53:02 GMT -8
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Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
Posts: 1,960
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Post by Westy on Feb 16, 2017 13:55:32 GMT -8
Glad the NPS is doing their job.
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swmtnbackpacker
Trail Wise!
Back but probably posting soon under my real name ... Rico Sauve
Posts: 4,886
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Feb 16, 2017 14:02:57 GMT -8
Reading it seems they are getting many more backpackers, as seems the case for many "iconic" hikes including Colorado's Maroon Bells, the PCT, etc.. Also in Arches, both backcountry and front country camping will be affecting until a decision is made ...re: "WAG" bags ..... IMO.
HA! Glad I'm a mountain biker too (i.e.. the "pedal faster" system)
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BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 12,932
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Post by BigLoad on Feb 16, 2017 14:45:58 GMT -8
I wonder how much this has to do with trying to curtail illegal climbing.
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davesenesac
Trail Wise!
Our precious life is short within eternity, don't waste it!
Posts: 1,710
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Post by davesenesac on Feb 16, 2017 15:17:51 GMT -8
Arches is not a large park like its neighbor Canyonlands. There are not many areas within the park that are far enough from roads that day hiking cannot satisfy needs. In other words backpacking has been an accomodation to the minor numbers of enthusiasts who prefer that more natural experience. At least in the past that experience has been rather limited because like those in Canyonlands within 2 days of trailheads groups had to use designated camp spots on a tight quota. Unfortunately in waterless high desert areas that rather eliminates most dispersed camping backpacking leaving it to those using high wheelbase 4WD to areas beyond walking. Additionally are issues of damage to cryptogamic soils that regardless of policy, there are some that walk wherever there want. Decades of damage in nearby Chesler Park where most groups camped eventually closed most of the zone.
When we last visited Arches in 2005, there was a huge problem of visitors not keeping on trails in popular areas like The Windows area despite lots of signs everywhere requesting such. When visitors see tracks everywhere off trails and under ropes despite signage, for many it is a signal to ignore the signs much like a 55 mph speed limit on an interstate. The park management is at fault on that because their stay on the trail or within roped trails areas paid poor consideration to where visitors would want to take photos from as though trails were routed by a blind robot.
In any case Canyonlands is much more important as a place to backpack and it has some mind bogglingly awesome places to actually camp at atop sandstone bedrock that are verbotten. The solution for the parks is to fully start over with more detailed policies tailored to specific areas instead of one sized fits all dumbed down to overly simple least common denominator backcountry policies.
David
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ChefG
Trail Ready!
Posts: 10
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Post by ChefG on Mar 25, 2017 14:03:03 GMT -8
Arches is not a large park like its neighbor Canyonlands. Having lived in Utah for several years, I love Arches. I completely agree David. There are plenty of options nearby. Arches is a beautiful park that is getting more and more traffic. Getting off trail is not acceptable there for the ecosystem. Besides with all of the traffic I don't think it would give you the experience backpacking can provide in an area with more solitude. |
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Image Credit / Coolkat
