[treewalker]

OK, I've read a little in other threads about certain "secret" places out there that aren't labeled on any map and are off the trail and only a few people know how to get to. I understand the importance to keeping these places secret and preventing the public from destroying them by overuse. At the same time, I am powerfully drawn to wanting to visit these places... The allure of the wilds being even more so when the goal is hidden. Maybe there should be a database with details of all the secret places established, and then people should bid on getting access to certain destinations based on general descriptions of how cool they are, without giving them away. Any funds which were collected would then be donated to wildlife preservation. I know I'd bid $250 or so for the right off trail experience. Anyone think this is a good idea? J

[catwoman]

Wow! $250! Guess I could never win!

[treewalker]

[catwoman]

Not much?! Maybe not to you.

[Randy]

I think the consensus you'll find here, from those that visit these places, is that there's nothing preventing you from finding your own way without someone spelling out all the details for you. Find a map and go somewhere there's no trail and often those will be pretty sweet spots. After all, that's how most everyone else has had to do it.

[catwoman]

[greedy]

bid is $250.00 by the man that walks like a tree. Do I hear $300.00..

[MooseAndSquirrel]

Not a good idea. Now let's talk about something really worthwhile like is Freddy Garcia going to be rocked around again tonight!!!

[Tom]

Yeah, Randy's right. The database is topo and terraserver. If you develop good map reading and navigation skilz you don't need anyone's help. That's why I don't go to any of these places.

[Allison]

[Brian Curtis]

Randy is right on. Go pull out a map, find an interesting looking spot and go there. That's what I do. I love the challenge of route finding and the anticipation of not knowing exactly what I'll find. If someone tells you about it it isn't a secret and it isn't nearly as fun.

[paps]

[David¹]

[Brian Curtis]

[Mike E.]

A OLD, (mid sixties), buddy of mine was in yesterday and we were talking about just this subject. I mentioned that I was thinking of visiting an area somewhere in the upper end of the Icicle that looked like it might have some small tarns on a plateau that don't show on the green trails maps. I described exactly where I was thinking of going and the JERK smiles and says " Yeah, that is a cool place, spent last week up there". He said that when he got to the tarns he found an old fire ring with a tree growing up through the middle of it. He saw no one the entire week. It took him two days just to get safely back to a trail. Finding these great places is easy, getting there and back safely is a whole different story. Be careful !