12 replies to this topic

[craig333]

The rules by themselves don't bother me. I understand the need to regulate camping. What worries me is how it is enforced. A lot will be up to the park management. Some will enforce the rules loosely while others may choose to enforce the rules to the point where its nearly impossible to camp at all. Too much depends on who is chosen as the park "boss". 

[rubberlegs]

We've seen it happen in popular backpacking areas in the Sierra and Cascades. It seems necessary and it seems to work. Now some of those remote areas are uber popular with the trail running crowd, who "hike" 30-50 miles with nothing but a water bag on their backs and a few gels, which gets them around the permit issues. Uh-oh. I sound like a curmudgeon. 

[billharr]

Bill,

 

I am not sure I agree with your assessments as I like to disperse camp because it gives me freedom from having to plan my route exactly and gives me freedom.  Having to make reservations becomes a process of 'click and win' BUT I agree that it would restrict and control crowds. I don't want to camp in designated campgrounds (we do that but not necessary in DV),  I'm not sure what remove campsites at overused really means but wouldn't that just push more people to other areas.  

 

I definately don't think adding more roads helps the overused despersed camping.  I personally don't want Class A motorhomes out there with generators running, etc.

 

Can you elaborate your recommendation OR are you being sacastic? :-)

 

One area I have camped in for almost 60 years is the Utica Union and Spicer Dam area. Once there was only the old PG&E road from Lake Alpine to Utica Union and on to Spicers. I have camped and ridden motorcycles all over the area. I have ridden to Elephant Lake before the Carson Iceberg Wilderness. Spicers was raised and the new road was put in. First it was gravel and then paved. Dispersed campgrounds around Spicers and Utica Union became "improved" campgrounds with a fee. You now see Class A motorhomes at Spicers and I have seen Priuses at Utica Union. What once was a great dispersed camping area is now a zoo. Signs to limit parking close to the lake so people can unload there stand up paddle boards. Areas where you could camp away from the "improved" fee camping are not marked with no camping signs. Camping in approved campgrounds only. 

In January 1997 Yosemite NP had a flood. When all was said and done, the park lost 300 campsites and 200 sleeping beds. They have never came back.  When Covid started the reason given for the Yosemite entrance reservation system was to limit contact. Well the National Park system liked it so much I do not think it will ever go away. In 2021 you could get a through the park pass to drive over Tioga Pass. In 2022 no more passes to drive over Tioga, must have a reservation or a camping reservation. 

Have you been over Tioga Pass and through Tuolumne Meadows this year? The rehabilitation of Tioga Road is almost done. There are curbs all along  Hwy 120 through Tuolumne Meadows. Before this was parking for hundreds of cars, it is now gone. I expect gridlock next year when the summer crowd show up. 

Tenaya lake also has new curbs away from the lake and a sidewalk lake side with a curb. Very limited parking. Looks like the NPS wants to limit access. When the inevitable gridlock happens I can see a reduction in park reservations to prevent the gridlock on Hwy 120. 

Rant over.