Last summer Backpacker Magazine had a short article on Blum Lakes & Mount Blum as a highlighted destination!
1973 Sunset Magazine featured White Rock lakes. They neglected to mention that whole thing about the Ptarmigan Ptraverse.
"..living on the east side of the Sierra world be ideal - except for harsher winters and the chance of apocalyptic fires burning the whole area."
Bosterson, NWHiker's marketing expert
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"..living on the east side of the Sierra world be ideal - except for harsher winters and the chance of apocalyptic fires burning the whole area."
Bosterson, NWHiker's marketing expert
I think getting misty eyed about "the good olde days" is misguided.
The number of hikers/backpackers 40 years ago was less, but the ethics were different. I recall cooking over a campfire at Melakwa, Snow, Spectacle, Rachel and even Colchuck lakes in the '60's.
More recently I was digging a "cathole" in the Lake Lillian basin and unearthed a load of garbage that include a steel Pepsi can.
Share the most popular locations with a myriad of others will also necessitate an more refined ethic that the "Take only pictures, leave only footprints" of a generation ago. To me one important principle in popular areas is "use established trails" The meadows around Paradise are in far better shape than they were in the '70s when a maze of social trails had created a "dust bowl" in the area close to the parking lot.
The days of having Snow Lake to yourself on a sunny August Sunday haven't existed since the construction of Alpental in 1967 shortened the trail by 4+ miles.
Given the depths of anxiety and depression that seem to ramp up in numbers every year, I am quite happy to see so many new (especially young) hikers. Its a world of alot better (IMHO) for their body, mind and spirit than ALL the alternatives. Green bonding is good and I strongly suspect the whole culture benefits. Sure would be nice not to see all the TP blooms though
....I am quite happy to see so many new (especially young) hikers. Its a world of alot better (IMHO) for their body, mind and spirit than ALL the alternatives. Green bonding is good and I strongly suspect the whole culture benefits.
PHOTOSFILMSKeep a good head and always carry a light bulb. – Bob Dylan
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PHOTOSFILMSKeep a good head and always carry a light bulb. – Bob Dylan
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