I’m venturing to guess here, but I would assume no
hiker wants to be in the midst of 10,000 other hikers when they are out and
about. The tranquility, peaceful setting and distinct lack of other humans are
reasons given for why people like to hike.
When we go to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis,
South Dakota every August, we leave our hiking boots at home in favor of
motorcycle boots. We are fully aware and anticipating a half million other
bikers to show up. That’s what makes the event so much fun.
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| Sturgis Motorcycle Rally - Lisa on her "hog" (Photo Credit: Pamela Fierst) |
But when I’m hiking, I deliberately try to increase my
chances of no humankind by going mid-week, off-peak or by selecting a trail
that is listed as “lightly trafficked.”
For this reason, and almost this reason alone, Big Bend National Park is #1 on my visit wish list. The park website describes Big
Bend as “Splendid Isolation.” YES PLEASE. The desert landscape, amazing
scenery, vastness of it all and most importantly… few people.
While I’m knocking humanity, here are the top five
reasons why I seek to get away from people when I hike:
·
Garbage. Don’t be
a jerk… pack out your granola bar wrapper, plastic water bottle and USED TOILET
PAPER. The last thing I want to see when I pee in the woods is that you’ve
already been there.
·
Drones. Yeah, it’s
beautiful, epic and amazing. It’s even more beautiful, epic and amazing when I
DON’T have to hear your *&#$&*^% drone flying over the 3500’ sheer
cliff wall drop off.
·
Children. I
greatly admire people who want to pass their love of parks and hiking onto the
next generation. I bring my niece and nephew everywhere I possibly can in the
hopes that they will fall in love with the outdoors. But please don’t let your
kid scream so they can hear their voice echo, teach them good trail ettiquete
and know their (and your limits). Bringing your two year old on a trail that is
marked at the trailhead as “strenuous with narrow sections adjacent to a 200’
drop off” are just not kid friendly.
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| The Miller's Hike Zion Wilderness (Photo Credit: Lisa Miller) |
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