One of your best videos yet, Taylor. Thanks for going into that rescue last week on Franconia Ridge. I read the press release too and it’s a good reminder that any of us could get into trouble in an instant. Great work by NHFG, Pemi Search and Rescue, AMC Croo, and all the other volunteers on what must have been a grueling carry out of 4+ miles and 4000’ of elevation loss… in the dark!
Thank you for this video! Search and rescue don’t get enough shout outs and they are the real heroes in the mountains. I follow Stowe Mountain Rescue (VT) and the work they do on Mansfield is amazing.
I went to the Mizpah Spring Hut for the Columbus Day weekend with my two sons. It was a wonderful time! We had a couple inches of snow in the morning. It was beautiful! There were only five people at the Hut on Monday into Tuesday. The croo were fantastic with fiddle playing and great food!
Great video on a subject that needs to be talked about. I've noticed an increase in unprepared "hikers" over that last few years. Here in RI, the trash on trail and especially the trail heads is a problem. I carry a small plastic bag every hike for trash and it always returns full to the car. The worst is the people I run into that have no water. I always carry enough to share and I'm still surprised how often I need to use it. Keep up the great content!!
I was at Morgan Percival on that weekend and it was not crowded.It's a loop hike that most hike in the same direction so we saw 30 people all day (well in the 4 hours it took us including breaks and leaf peeping on the top. I also was the weekend before at rattlesnake mountain (west and east) and again we saw around 50 people all day. We got parking but the lots were certainly full. I think if you go to other places than the instagram hikes it's only moderately crowded, people are super nice, sufficiently prepared and skilled and you can have a great day.
I love hiking in New Hampshire during foliage season. I take the work week off before Columbus Day and get out of the area by Friday afternoon. Works great to avoid the big crowds that show up for the holiday weekend. I also hike the lower peaks with a view which are not as crowded generally and give great views of the foliage, but I did not do Artist's Bluff because it always gets a lot of attention based on how easy it is to hike up there.
mind you we knew they were gonna be there, but we had comp. tix from last year that we needed to use and unfortunately Indigenous Peoples Day/Weekend was the only weekend we could do it
One of my hiking friends ALWAYS brings a trashbag and picks up trash as we go. What's sad is on popular mountains like Monadnock, if you go off trail for any reason there is lots of trash off the trail in the woods as well.
My God! That crowded hiking trail pic looks like a street in New Deli. Apparently, they treat our trails like India too with all the trash! Thank you for putting out the safety info and trash awareness. You make New Hampshire proud Taylor 👍
We did the Cog on Oct 6th and I had the same thoughts about New Delhi.. It was over a 30 minute wait to take a pic with the summit sign because those families needed to take 18 different poses with 18 different family member combinations! Ugh. We were a group of 9, one pose, the nice girls who were in front of us took the pics, Chop chop, people are waiting. Driving back through the notch GPS diverted us around the back side where Artists Bluff is. Cars lining both sides of the road, the parking lot up the hill was half empty! And OMG, women in moo moo's and sandals, dress pants and heels, carrying their LV bags. One word to myself in my head, idiots. Thank you Taylor for your perspective.
I had the same issue in Rangeley me. A group with at least 10 cars took over the overlook with about 25 ppl lingering, not having any common courtesy for anyone else They finally moved onto the next lookout.
Bless your sweet heart for picking up trash. 😊 The people being rude and littering infuriated me when I saw this on the Maine news. If you can't respect nature and your fellow man, perhaps you should stay home. I fell in love with NH 40 years ago, and a lot has changed. I avoid certain areas during leafing now. There's so many great trails that are less known to hike. Thank you for this video Taylor, there was a ton of invaluable info in this. People be prepared, be kind, and leave no trace. These places are miracles that need to be protected and not abused. ✌️
I almost drove up 93 to the Notch, because it's just a few hours from home for me, but ended up driving some more scenic roads in southern NH instead, because it was super windy and I had a feeling the crowds in that area, and along Route 112 which is also a gorgeous drive during peak foliage, would be pretty bad. Ended up in Concord at the LL Bean outlet store. There was some sort of accident on 93 Northbound when I left to head home. After the holiday weekend I saw that news article featuring that first picture you showed in your video. I was shocked. Crowds like that will devastate or outright destroy a trail because they're not simply walking on the trail, they're walking on the sides of it as well. I love hiking and love the outdoors. I hate that so many people seem to have so little regard for such. Trails don't maintain themselves. There are likely a lot of hard working folks who volunteer to keep many of the trails in NH maintained and safe to hike. More people also need to take their garbage with them. If you pack it in, pack it out!
Great video and super helpful tips on keeping yourself and others safe while hiking! Hopefully this educates people on hiking safety and on the importance of supporting trail volunteers (especially rescuers!).
Ah, I wondered if you might comment on this. I hiked/backpacked NE (I live here) a lot before kids, did SAR for a bit too. I have landed on a bunch of AT and hiking content recently, and became aware of your channel. Getting back into it. Anyway, lots of things to improve upon after this weekend (and last year's issues in Vermont at private farms/residences where they opted to close the road this fall... ). This time of year I'd be going extra diligent on contingency planning. Being prepared enough to stay warm, dry and have some food/water while staying put if you need to, always a good idea. Adding, anyone who has a NH hunting or fishing license for the calendar year is covered as well for the Hike Safe policy. Both run calendar year so best to pick your card or license as early in the new year as reasonable.
Thank you for picking up trash! Maybe gloves next time? 🙂 That being said, I am sorry you had trash to pick up. I was on a section of the Colorado Trail this summer that , inexplicably, had so much TP and or tissues on it. It was insane. It was obviously the same one or two people. It was so disgusting. It was so strange because I didn't encounter that anyplace else on the CT. They didn't even try to cover it or hide it or ?? It was right on trail! 🤮 I can't believe how many people were on that trail in NH!! I think this was a really great video. Thank you for sharing!
Reservation work. We have several places on the Bruce trail were this happens. During the summer and fall seasons you must make reservation. 2hour limit. If you need more than you pay two fees. Produces revenue for the parks and keeps the numbers substainable
We are dealing with the dame thing here in Washington state. The come to see the Larches. One trail head had close to 500 cars for a trail that's parking lot that has room for 20 cars.
Artists Bluff. The best word to use to describe the nice scenic autumn views from that location is "Cliche". The nice views are now part of many people's background for their selfies, or high school senior pictures, or glamour shots (yup, all dressed up as if they're going to a wedding or other big social event).
🚶♀️👟👟⛺🌞 that's very awesome Taylor I hang at my local River a lot and always picking up trash been doing it for 6 years and anytime I'm on a trail and see trash I'll bring it with me thanks for another great video 💯💯💯🏆🏆🏆
I was up there Columbus Day about 8 years ago. Had one of those time share weekend from Bass Pro shop to stay at the condo at Loon. Took almost an hour to get from 93 to loon ended up taking the next exit up. So crowded it would take an hour to get to McDonalds from Loon. We ended up going to Conway on the way people would take a picture on the tree and back out onto the Kanc not looking. Never again go there that weekend. Conway was not bad.
Heard Franconia Ridge was like rush hour traffic this weekend…bumper to bumper people hiking. I love to see people getting out and enjoying the outdoors but it seems out of control. As far as the rescuers, huge props to them for all the hard work they put in. I couldn’t imagine carrying a person down the mountain for over 7 hours! Glad everyone was ok.
There were a lot of people on Mt Osceola last weeknd too. Not as crowwded as the trail you showed but I was almost never alone on the hike. The trash is disgusting. Jesus people pick up after yourselves. You carried it in how hard can be to carry it out. With all that said everyone on my hike was nice, clean and friendly. I think the bulk or the problem is on the easy trails close to the highways where non serious hikers have easy access. Serious hikers have better manners.
My wife and I would often travel up to hike and enjoy the foliage, but last year it was bad so we skipped it this year. Looks like we made the right decision.
Here in Alaska, it can take days for rescue, depending on where you are. Even for a short day hike, I have all the essentials. Thinking about all the leaf peepers out your way - maybe people are desperate to connect with nature! Maybe they don't get the chance very often. No excuses for bad footwear though. But yeah, any of us can hurt ourselves out there. I like the idea of the hike safe card. Great video and kudos to all the SAR folks!
I was camping up there the week before. I could not believe the amount of tour buses. On Wednesday October 9th, I foolishly thought I'd pop into The Flume Gorge. OMG! so many cars parked EVERYWHERE and not an open spot. Nope, no thank you, I left. Too many people.
As someone who lives in a “hiking desert” (very few trails) i wish we had these problems. Instead we have some of the worst obesity rates in the world. Actually one of our preserves got closed due to the overhiking during covid… people had few other places to go. That trail was only a few miles long.
wow crazy to see the crowds at artist's bluff! I mean it's a nice spot but I think there are so many better hikes with better foliage views that don't have a large interstate right next to them. Always advocate to do your research and go early- I remember hiking sugarloaf around Columbus weekend a few years ago but I went for sunrise and it was incredible (the colors look better in the sunrise anyway!) and avoided the crowds. You'd never catch me driving the Kanc on a weekend during peak foliage season though! Also on the topic of search and rescue, I sadly witnessed a man have a heart attack and pass away while I was hiking in the Whites and luckily there was a lot of people on the trail who stayed to call for rescue and attempt CPR, but it ended up taking over 3 hours for the first rescue personnel to reach us. I will never forget how kind everyone was who stopped by and offered to help. Love that they have the hike safe card system and I hope more people use it!
Too bad trails are so crowded this fall. Ruins the hike. Is redic that people come out to enjoy nature and leave their trash! Thanks for picking up the trash... I am going to put a bag in my backpack to do the same.
I saw the crowds on Artist's Bluff could not believe the madness. I knew better than try and go for a hike so instead I got on my bike and did the bike path in the Notch. It wasn't that bad, other than people not paying attention as I announced I was behind them. I did Welch-Dickey last year and was amazed that I got a parking spot at 8:00. Maybe it's because I grew up in Whitefield and have driven past the view that you get from Artist's Bluff countless times but I don't allure of the view. I had thought about going into Lincoln to ride my bike but the traffic was so backed up just on the exit that I just chose to go up the Flume to ride the bike path up and back, the easy way to do the bike path, but the line to get into the Flume was so bad that I decided to go up to the Tram and head down and back up the path.
I get really upset when people leave trash in these beautiful places. Please have respect for nature. If you insist on littering why not do it in your local Walmart parking lot instead?
That Walmart parking lot storm drain just goes out into the creek and local watershed... better to not litter at all. In general, littering is almost exclusively a learned habit (usually from parents). Trash breeds trash.
Wow...the Great Smokies aren't that bad, down here they don't hike anywhere except the 1/2-mile paved trail to Clingman's Dome - they all hang at Dolly World and Gatlinburg.
Here in Western NC the peepers who stay for a couple weeks are beginning to show up. Despite the hurricane and damage, I'd say they're showing up at the same rate as any other year, as if nothing happened. The leaf peepers are going to do what they want to do. Sadly some do not have much consideration for nature or other individuals, they just want their Instagram selfies and then leave. The bad ones out shadow the good.
It’s amazing how many people are out hiking now vs thirty years ago. One of the first backpacking trips I did was a semi Pemi , up through the valley then across the ridge and back to the Kangamangus. In those three days we didn’t see more than ten people which was the norm back then unless maybe you were in Acadia National Park, vs last months mid week day hike of the ridge, we had to have crossed pathes with at least one hundred hikers. Social media sites like Instagram and pintarest(spelling?) have exposed so many folks to the natural beauty that’s out there for all to see . Maybe they should have some rangers at popular trail heads to turn around unprepared hikers (who are most likely the ones not willing to carry out their trash) like some ski resorts out west, they’ll position ski patrol at the approach of a backcountry area and send those not skilled enough back to the groomed trails. Just a thought.
We stayed a mile from there the last week of September, when covid restrictions were lessoning, but nh, I think, was still one of the few states we could travel to. I thought this was the slowest season of the year, with summer gone, skiing still a month plus away, and foliage not peak yet. We were the only ones on that hike, mid day, i didn't realize it was so popular. I'm wondering if this was mainly covid? or is the end of September always relatively quiet?
The issue is the tick tock, instagram, and twitter generation are making places popular. They see a post and want to recreate it. I saw this farm in vt has become so popular to photograph that they have had to now shut down the road near it and residents can’t get near their homes. As a hobby photographer I love fall but have learned to go to unpopular towns in the northern kingdom, drive around back roads and logging roads to look for shots. If I can’t park safely, I don’t stop and move on. Sometimes the best shots are the ones saved in your memories.
Not too different from the trails at start of Covid. Way too many people new to nature. Red Rock had to start a reservation system because of all the people
Taylor, love that you were picking up trash too, but please use rubber gloves never pick up someone’s trash or dirty tissues without gloves. But good job.
I wonder if the devastation in Southern Appalachia has impacted y'all's crowds. We (in NC) usually have a ton of leafers this time of year but there is practically nothing due to hurricane Helene.
Vexing how people don't have better safety awareness when going hiking in any wilderness area. It's like the forecast will call for a drizzling storm, so they'll pack a sandwich and leave the raincoat. 🙄
Sadly, there will always be bad apples out there so to speak. Most of the folks that go out do right. Except maybe with that many people, you would think there wouold have been unough that carted to see and grab the extra trash that non caring folks left.
So why does any one person have the right to have of you that another person does not? Well, if somebody else wears the right clothes they have the right to be there right? You're all a bunch of snobs. I don't get it.
Thanks for pushing safety. Hikers come in all varieties. Trash pigs and those unprepared hurt hiking. Be safe, y'all 👍👍👍
thanks for picking up trash Taylor and doing this video. I always wear gloves picking up trash
One of your best videos yet, Taylor. Thanks for going into that rescue last week on Franconia Ridge. I read the press release too and it’s a good reminder that any of us could get into trouble in an instant. Great work by NHFG, Pemi Search and Rescue, AMC Croo, and all the other volunteers on what must have been a grueling carry out of 4+ miles and 4000’ of elevation loss… in the dark!
Thank you Taylor 👍🏻 Sad situation, especially all the people unprepared, and the garbage left behind 👀 Leave no trace isn't hard to follow 🙄
Those pics of artist bluff were so unreal....people have lost their minds.😮
Thank you for this video! Search and rescue don’t get enough shout outs and they are the real heroes in the mountains. I follow Stowe Mountain Rescue (VT) and the work they do on Mansfield is amazing.
Thank You for posting this for all the reasons. From, a local who hasn't left home for a week.
There is absolutely no excuse for people leaving trash on the trail. Too many assume that "someone else" will clean up after them. Thanks for sharing.
Good morning from Dover. We stayed clear of the White Mountains this fall but did take a short hike at Stonehouse Pond. Incredible view!
I had no idea so many people were on the trail at once. Thanks for sharing.
I went to the Mizpah Spring Hut for the Columbus Day weekend with my two sons. It was a wonderful time! We had a couple inches of snow in the morning. It was beautiful! There were only five people at the Hut on Monday into Tuesday. The croo were fantastic with fiddle playing and great food!
Great video on a subject that needs to be talked about. I've noticed an increase in unprepared "hikers" over that last few years. Here in RI, the trash on trail and especially the trail heads is a problem. I carry a small plastic bag every hike for trash and it always returns full to the car. The worst is the people I run into that have no water. I always carry enough to share and I'm still surprised how often I need to use it. Keep up the great content!!
I just visited the White Mountains about 2 weeks ago for the first time on my way to Maine…so incredibly beautiful!!
I was at Morgan Percival on that weekend and it was not crowded.It's a loop hike that most hike in the same direction so we saw 30 people all day (well in the 4 hours it took us including breaks and leaf peeping on the top. I also was the weekend before at rattlesnake mountain (west and east) and again we saw around 50 people all day. We got parking but the lots were certainly full. I think if you go to other places than the instagram hikes it's only moderately crowded, people are super nice, sufficiently prepared and skilled and you can have a great day.
I love hiking in New Hampshire during foliage season. I take the work week off before Columbus Day and get out of the area by Friday afternoon. Works great to avoid the big crowds that show up for the holiday weekend. I also hike the lower peaks with a view which are not as crowded generally and give great views of the foliage, but I did not do Artist's Bluff because it always gets a lot of attention based on how easy it is to hike up there.
Thank you for letting me know about the Hike Safe card. As for all hikers, we should follow the ‘Leave No Trace’ principles.
Great video Taylor! Hopefully this will open up peoples eyes and they will hike more sensibly and responsibly!!! 🥰👍👏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
We were trying to get home from Storyland on Sat. and the peepers turned a normal 1.5 hr drive into a 4 hr drive.
mind you we knew they were gonna be there, but we had comp. tix from last year that we needed to use and unfortunately Indigenous Peoples Day/Weekend was the only weekend we could do it
I'm curious, how many plates would you say were from Canada?
One of my hiking friends ALWAYS brings a trashbag and picks up trash as we go. What's sad is on popular mountains like Monadnock, if you go off trail for any reason there is lots of trash off the trail in the woods as well.
My God! That crowded hiking trail pic looks like a street in New Deli. Apparently, they treat our trails like India too with all the trash! Thank you for putting out the safety info and trash awareness. You make New Hampshire proud Taylor 👍
We did the Cog on Oct 6th and I had the same thoughts about New Delhi.. It was over a 30 minute wait to take a pic with the summit sign because those families needed to take 18 different poses with 18 different family member combinations! Ugh. We were a group of 9, one pose, the nice girls who were in front of us took the pics, Chop chop, people are waiting.
Driving back through the notch GPS diverted us around the back side where Artists Bluff is. Cars lining both sides of the road, the parking lot up the hill was half empty! And OMG, women in moo moo's and sandals, dress pants and heels, carrying their LV bags. One word to myself in my head, idiots.
Thank you Taylor for your perspective.
I had the same issue in Rangeley me. A group with at least 10 cars took over the overlook with about 25 ppl lingering, not having any common courtesy for anyone else They finally moved onto the next lookout.
Bless your sweet heart for picking up trash. 😊 The people being rude and littering infuriated me when I saw this on the Maine news. If you can't respect nature and your fellow man, perhaps you should stay home. I fell in love with NH 40 years ago, and a lot has changed. I avoid certain areas during leafing now. There's so many great trails that are less known to hike. Thank you for this video Taylor, there was a ton of invaluable info in this. People be prepared, be kind, and leave no trace. These places are miracles that need to be protected and not abused. ✌️
I almost drove up 93 to the Notch, because it's just a few hours from home for me, but ended up driving some more scenic roads in southern NH instead, because it was super windy and I had a feeling the crowds in that area, and along Route 112 which is also a gorgeous drive during peak foliage, would be pretty bad. Ended up in Concord at the LL Bean outlet store. There was some sort of accident on 93 Northbound when I left to head home. After the holiday weekend I saw that news article featuring that first picture you showed in your video. I was shocked. Crowds like that will devastate or outright destroy a trail because they're not simply walking on the trail, they're walking on the sides of it as well. I love hiking and love the outdoors. I hate that so many people seem to have so little regard for such. Trails don't maintain themselves. There are likely a lot of hard working folks who volunteer to keep many of the trails in NH maintained and safe to hike. More people also need to take their garbage with them. If you pack it in, pack it out!
Great video and super helpful tips on keeping yourself and others safe while hiking! Hopefully this educates people on hiking safety and on the importance of supporting trail volunteers (especially rescuers!).
Ah, I wondered if you might comment on this. I hiked/backpacked NE (I live here) a lot before kids, did SAR for a bit too. I have landed on a bunch of AT and hiking content recently, and became aware of your channel. Getting back into it. Anyway, lots of things to improve upon after this weekend (and last year's issues in Vermont at private farms/residences where they opted to close the road this fall... ). This time of year I'd be going extra diligent on contingency planning. Being prepared enough to stay warm, dry and have some food/water while staying put if you need to, always a good idea.
Adding, anyone who has a NH hunting or fishing license for the calendar year is covered as well for the Hike Safe policy. Both run calendar year so best to pick your card or license as early in the new year as reasonable.
Hey Taylor 🎉🎉🎉 thanks for all your hard work.❤I love your 📸🎉🎉🎉 Ken NC
Thank you for picking up trash! Maybe gloves next time? 🙂 That being said, I am sorry you had trash to pick up. I was on a section of the Colorado Trail this summer that , inexplicably, had so much TP and or tissues on it. It was insane. It was obviously the same one or two people. It was so disgusting. It was so strange because I didn't encounter that anyplace else on the CT. They didn't even try to cover it or hide it or ?? It was right on trail! 🤮 I can't believe how many people were on that trail in NH!! I think this was a really great video. Thank you for sharing!
Reservation work. We have several places on the Bruce trail were this happens. During the summer and fall seasons you must make reservation. 2hour limit. If you need more than you pay two fees. Produces revenue for the parks and keeps the numbers substainable
We are dealing with the dame thing here in Washington state. The come to see the Larches. One trail head had close to 500 cars for a trail that's parking lot that has room for 20 cars.
I always enjoy your vlogs, I’m learning or being entertained so for what more can I ask. ❤😊
I was shocked as well, im holding out hope that proper trail etiquette wins the day 😊
Taylor! You are absolutely adorable with those red cheeks!!! 😂❤👍👏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Artists Bluff. The best word to use to describe the nice scenic autumn views from that location is "Cliche". The nice views are now part of many people's background for their selfies, or high school senior pictures, or glamour shots (yup, all dressed up as if they're going to a wedding or other big social event).
🚶♀️👟👟⛺🌞 that's very awesome Taylor I hang at my local River a lot and always picking up trash been doing it for 6 years and anytime I'm on a trail and see trash I'll bring it with me thanks for another great video 💯💯💯🏆🏆🏆
I was up there Columbus Day about 8 years ago. Had one of those time share weekend from Bass Pro shop to stay at the condo at Loon. Took almost an hour to get from 93 to loon ended up taking the next exit up. So crowded it would take an hour to get to McDonalds from Loon. We ended up going to Conway on the way people would take a picture on the tree and back out onto the Kanc not looking. Never again go there that weekend. Conway was not bad.
Heard Franconia Ridge was like rush hour traffic this weekend…bumper to bumper people hiking. I love to see people getting out and enjoying the outdoors but it seems out of control. As far as the rescuers, huge props to them for all the hard work they put in. I couldn’t imagine carrying a person down the mountain for over 7 hours! Glad everyone was ok.
There were a lot of people on Mt Osceola last weeknd too. Not as crowwded as the trail you showed but I was almost never alone on the hike. The trash is disgusting. Jesus people pick up after yourselves. You carried it in how hard can be to carry it out. With all that said everyone on my hike was nice, clean and friendly. I think the bulk or the problem is on the easy trails close to the highways where non serious hikers have easy access. Serious hikers have better manners.
My wife and I would often travel up to hike and enjoy the foliage, but last year it was bad so we skipped it this year. Looks like we made the right decision.
Here in Alaska, it can take days for rescue, depending on where you are. Even for a short day hike, I have all the essentials. Thinking about all the leaf peepers out your way - maybe people are desperate to connect with nature! Maybe they don't get the chance very often. No excuses for bad footwear though. But yeah, any of us can hurt ourselves out there. I like the idea of the hike safe card. Great video and kudos to all the SAR folks!
I was camping up there the week before. I could not believe the amount of tour buses. On Wednesday October 9th, I foolishly thought I'd pop into The Flume Gorge. OMG! so many cars parked EVERYWHERE and not an open spot. Nope, no thank you, I left. Too many people.
Great video. Nice hiking.
I really like your videos. Quite unlike all the others that do a lot of gear reviews
As someone who lives in a “hiking desert” (very few trails) i wish we had these problems. Instead we have some of the worst obesity rates in the world. Actually one of our preserves got closed due to the overhiking during covid… people had few other places to go. That trail was only a few miles long.
wow crazy to see the crowds at artist's bluff! I mean it's a nice spot but I think there are so many better hikes with better foliage views that don't have a large interstate right next to them. Always advocate to do your research and go early- I remember hiking sugarloaf around Columbus weekend a few years ago but I went for sunrise and it was incredible (the colors look better in the sunrise anyway!) and avoided the crowds. You'd never catch me driving the Kanc on a weekend during peak foliage season though!
Also on the topic of search and rescue, I sadly witnessed a man have a heart attack and pass away while I was hiking in the Whites and luckily there was a lot of people on the trail who stayed to call for rescue and attempt CPR, but it ended up taking over 3 hours for the first rescue personnel to reach us. I will never forget how kind everyone was who stopped by and offered to help. Love that they have the hike safe card system and I hope more people use it!
Wow 7 hours to get to the trail head 4 miles away in the dark no less. Glad they got to her and got her safe,y down.Wonder if she broke an ankle.
Too bad trails are so crowded this fall. Ruins the hike. Is redic that people come out to enjoy nature and leave their trash! Thanks for picking up the trash... I am going to put a bag in my backpack to do the same.
I saw the crowds on Artist's Bluff could not believe the madness. I knew better than try and go for a hike so instead I got on my bike and did the bike path in the Notch. It wasn't that bad, other than people not paying attention as I announced I was behind them. I did Welch-Dickey last year and was amazed that I got a parking spot at 8:00. Maybe it's because I grew up in Whitefield and have driven past the view that you get from Artist's Bluff countless times but I don't allure of the view.
I had thought about going into Lincoln to ride my bike but the traffic was so backed up just on the exit that I just chose to go up the Flume to ride the bike path up and back, the easy way to do the bike path, but the line to get into the Flume was so bad that I decided to go up to the Tram and head down and back up the path.
I get really upset when people leave trash in these beautiful places. Please have respect for nature. If you insist on littering why not do it in your local Walmart parking lot instead?
Better yet, do it in front of some kind of law enforcement officer so we can ticket you
That Walmart parking lot storm drain just goes out into the creek and local watershed... better to not litter at all. In general, littering is almost exclusively a learned habit (usually from parents). Trash breeds trash.
Wow...the Great Smokies aren't that bad, down here they don't hike anywhere except the 1/2-mile paved trail to Clingman's Dome - they all hang at Dolly World and Gatlinburg.
They just drive around to all the roadside overlooks and scenic drives and congest the roads...
Here in Western NC the peepers who stay for a couple weeks are beginning to show up. Despite the hurricane and damage, I'd say they're showing up at the same rate as any other year, as if nothing happened. The leaf peepers are going to do what they want to do. Sadly some do not have much consideration for nature or other individuals, they just want their Instagram selfies and then leave. The bad ones out shadow the good.
It’s amazing how many people are out hiking now vs thirty years ago. One of the first backpacking trips I did was a semi Pemi , up through the valley then across the ridge and back to the Kangamangus. In those three days we didn’t see more than ten people which was the norm back then unless maybe you were in Acadia National Park, vs last months mid week day hike of the ridge, we had to have crossed pathes with at least one hundred hikers. Social media sites like Instagram and pintarest(spelling?) have exposed so many folks to the natural beauty that’s out there for all to see . Maybe they should have some rangers at popular trail heads to turn around unprepared hikers (who are most likely the ones not willing to carry out their trash) like some ski resorts out west, they’ll position ski patrol at the approach of a backcountry area and send those not skilled enough back to the groomed trails. Just a thought.
We stayed a mile from there the last week of September, when covid restrictions were lessoning, but nh, I think, was still one of the few states we could travel to. I thought this was the slowest season of the year, with summer gone, skiing still a month plus away, and foliage not peak yet. We were the only ones on that hike, mid day, i didn't realize it was so popular. I'm wondering if this was mainly covid? or is the end of September always relatively quiet?
The issue is the tick tock, instagram, and twitter generation are making places popular. They see a post and want to recreate it. I saw this farm in vt has become so popular to photograph that they have had to now shut down the road near it and residents can’t get near their homes. As a hobby photographer I love fall but have learned to go to unpopular towns in the northern kingdom, drive around back roads and logging roads to look for shots. If I can’t park safely, I don’t stop and move on. Sometimes the best shots are the ones saved in your memories.
Taylor ❤
Hello Taylor....
Not too different from the trails at start of Covid. Way too many people new to nature. Red Rock had to start a reservation system because of all the people
Taylor, love that you were picking up trash too, but please use rubber gloves never pick up someone’s trash or dirty tissues without gloves. But good job.
I wonder if the devastation in Southern Appalachia has impacted y'all's crowds. We (in NC) usually have a ton of leafers this time of year but there is practically nothing due to hurricane Helene.
Vexing how people don't have better safety awareness when going hiking in any wilderness area. It's like the forecast will call for a drizzling storm, so they'll pack a sandwich and leave the raincoat. 🙄
If it’s a state park why isn’t there a charge.
👍
Sadly, there will always be bad apples out there so to speak. Most of the folks that go out do right. Except maybe with that many people, you would think there wouold have been unough that carted to see and grab the extra trash that non caring folks left.
Chocolate is a ridiculously disgusting flavor for LMNT. Sorry No
The right gear will not keep you from hurting yourself. Don't be a snob
Lol did she say that?
So why does any one person have the right to have of you that another person does not? Well, if somebody else wears the right clothes they have the right to be there right? You're all a bunch of snobs. I don't get it.