[RumiDude]

[Bernardo]

The time of the elves is over. When I first read that many years ago, I was bewildered and sad. Now I realize that story within the Lord of the Rings is a metaphor for so much in life and I refer to it often with acceptance and melancholy.

[Tom]

[RumiDude]

[Tom]

The old guard? I find it really hard to get that wound up over anyone that has visited multiple times if that's what you mean. They aren't creating the kind of impacts as those naively publicizing it. And for what benefit? Some fleeting personal gratification under the guise of "sharing" or "spreading impact"? Instagrammers? Don't have a problem if done responsibly. Posting an over-saturated image in BP mag with ID and enticing caption was completely unnecessary. I don't give a free pass to anyone here. There was quite the proliferation of "me too" reports on this site. Almost felt like some were happy to post a TR to gleefully mock the call for discretion. Here's my take of TML. I visited once, over a decade ago, hiking up from Square Lake. I chose not to highlight the lakes in my TR. Why? To not degrade the experience of future visitors. Had nothing to do with me wanting to save them for a future visit. The lakes are quite small and pictures make them look larger than life. Everyone takes the same picture of the upper lake to the point of it being somewhat cliche. Reminds me a bit of gnome tarn which IMO is one of the most over-rated spots in the enchantments. I felt compelled to move on after an hour or so. YMMV. Will I ever go to TML again? Perhaps, but there are so many other spots I'd be inclined to visit if my feet and body were to bless me with more hikes.

[RumiDude]

[markweth]

[Ski]

^ We've had a number of different discussion threads here regarding the impact of social media on outdoor recreation. There are those who contend that social media does have a significant effect on user loads and detrimental impacts. On the other side are those who attempt to perpetuate the myth that it's simply a matter of an increased population and those pointing out social media as a primary cause are just luddites. Until someone is able to actually quantify the net effect of social media on outdoor recreation these two diametrically opposed viewpoints will continue to exist. Considering that it would be virtually impossible to conduct any sort of "control group study" on the issue, those who hang on to the belief that social media is not responsible for the increase in user loads; the increase in detrimental impacts; the increase in vandalism (Casey Nocket, anyone?); and the increase in outrageous exhibitionism (see "Logan Paul YouTube") would do well to stop living in a state of denial and realize that social media is a significant factor in the damage and increased numbers of users we are seeing in the outdoors over the last several years. I'm sorry to hear that some idiot thought it appropriate to post the location of the "titan grove" at Redwood NP. I suppose he posted the GPS coordinates as well? There's a damn good reason that Olympic National Park ceased advertising its world-record trees decades ago: they saw the handwriting on the wall and simply stopped publishing their locations and removing notations about "record tree" from their visitor maps. I don't have the answer. I don't know what the solution is. Other than this website, I don't use any "social media" so I don't know how Instagram, Facebook, or any of the others work. Somebody who's a bit more savvy with the medium needs to start putting the word out. Clearly. Succinctly. Fearlessly.

[Randito]

I think the other solution is to CTFD and accept that idea that "sekret" locations are possible within a half day drive of a major city is a delusion. Herd mentality is part of the landscape near a city, I was impressed on a recent visit to another formally "sekret" location and observed maybe 20 tents erected in a small area , often within 5 feet of the shore of the "sekret" lake. I walked just a little farther and didn't see anyone else while I was camped and had a much better view than the herd clustered around the lake.

[DIYSteve]

[Malachai Constant]

We first visited Marmot back in the early 80’s from one of the 100 hikes series. Then it was quite crowded with the Calvary as per Harvey Manings description. So we went up to No Name/Jade impassable to horses. There were no fire rings in the area then and no established campsites. Going to Peasoup the glacier made icebergs in the lake and it really looked like pea soup still have sexy pix . Went back every year for years, when horses were banned Marmot was nicer. Last few years it has gotten more crowded now 4-5 established camps at Jate even a couple at No Name. Glacier has retreated well above Peasope which is now blue, so it goes.

[Ski]

[DIYSteve]

[RumiDude]

[Ski]