Remember when the High Sierra Trail was just a quiet line on a paper map?

I hiked it in 2015 and maybe saw five other groups over a week. Went back last fall and there were permits for specific campsites and a steady stream of people. The Instagram effect is real out there now. Anyone else have a favorite old-school route that's gotten way more crowded?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_nathan11d ago

Man, that's the truth. I started going out to the Enchantments in Washington before you needed a lottery just to dayhike it. Now it's a parade. My move is to find the trails just outside the main permit zone. Like for the High Sierra, look at the trails that connect to it but start from a less popular trailhead. You still get the views without the permit headache.

rubysingh11d ago

Smart move, @the_nathan, that's how you actually find some quiet.

jamesf4111d ago

Trails just outside the main permit zone" is smart, rubysingh. I used to just get mad about the crowds.