Blazing One's Own Trail

Thanks for the response, desertdweller. This forum is great for new backpackers.

Yeah, pretty much what DD said. The "permit" areas typically include national parks and other very-crowded areas that need to be protected, hence the permit system to avoid the areas from being overrun. The rules are there for good reasons. Also as DD pointed out, I would look up the rules for whatever park/area you're in.

Edit:  ...or let Travis look them up for you.

That was a poor word choice on my part. I would never "blaze" a trail. I am always conscientious of the environment and the critters in it.

Part of the issue, especially in the East, can be trails that have very narrow right of ways thorough otherwise privately owned land. Other restrictions that are common is being a certain distance from roads or trailheads, often a mile and certain distances from water such as lakes and streams to reduce water pollution. But no, "legally" means camping anywhere else is prohibited (depending on where that "legally" came from, an official source or internet rumor), probably for reasons of resource protection: and disregarding environmental protection regulations is phenomenally selfish (IMHO).

ETA: ah, a twelve mile trail to a very popular destination: so odds are what they're doing is trying to focus the damage by restricting camping to that one location at Deer Gap 3.9 miles in. 
cnyhiking.com/BRP-BlackMtnCrestTrail.htm

My preference is to choose places that don't so restrict campsite selection (less because I don't like being told where to camp, though I don't, and more because that's a huge sign a place is too crowded for my liking). Though on ridge routes such as that water availability can also narrow the choices. Don't know if that's the case here.

When I'm out I'll use trails to get into the backcountry most efficiently, avoiding reinventing the wheel as it were, then head off where the map has shown me some interesting features and spend my time camping and wandering along a promising headwaters or whatever.. When day hiking I'll rarely follow trails. The exception would be where, as in the East above treelike, there are restrictions in place to preserve and protect fragile ecosystems such as the Appalachian Alpine environment.

ETA2: Okay, apparently it's a State Park (with restaurants and a observation building at the summit) so they're trying to focus use to keep the place from getting trashed. so NO camping except at the designated spots and State parks often have rangers that issue tickets with nasty fines...
""Camping is not allowed along these trails except for the area around the Deep Gap Junction. Campsites are available at both trailheads:"
hikingthecarolinas.com/black_mountains.php

A LOT of choices around there:
www.fs.usda.gov/activity/nfsnc/recreation/hiking/?recid=48112&actid=50

The other big reason for encouraging people to stay on trails is people very often get LOST when they go off trail and then they have to be searched for and rescued at great trouble and expense. Hurts the budget.

Welcome to the forum William. One of the skills that will make you a life long backpacker is choosing trails and places to camp. You found this forum and you care about your impact on the environment, so your odds are good.

Everyplace has it's rules which are generally in place to protect resources and prevent conflicts between the different users of that land resource. Solitude is a resource that is important to many but you will have to seek out the dwindling places where that can be found. The trail shelters and camp sites along heavily used trails are no place to find solitude, you risk the company of really annoying people there, but you might make a good friend there. Attitude could make the difference. In the East, real wilderness is rare, so there are more rules. Being a good example of low impact is the best way to assure that thousands of people can experience the natural experience that everyone here is seeking. Where "distributed camping" is allowed, leaving no trace will preserve the experience that you have for generations to come.

The dialog is important, this is a culture that we want to share and promote in our larger society. Tell us about your experience and don't be too offended if someone is critical. We all have our own way of expressing our "love." I hope to see you on the trail.

I really appreciate all the input/comments. You guys have done more research on my prospective trail than I have. . However, I was aware of having to do an "out and back". From what little I have read, it appears to be a challenging hike. If it's beautiful and challenging, I won't mind so much seeing it twice. I might also, rules allowing, go off trail on my way back.