ISO Solitude

[balzaccom]

We have had some discussions recently about the wisdom of posting all of our trip reports--especially the ones that point people to those out of the way corners that have yet to be discovered by the great social media masses. Fair enough. We can certainly share their concern that every secret corner will someday be mobbed by a multitude seeking a selfie.

So we decided this time to just post some of the ways you can find a little solitude in the Sierra...

Get off the internet. If you want to escape the crowds, get your information somewhere else.

Get on the internet. Search the web for less used trailheads, difficult passes, and tough climbs. 

Get out the Map. You just might discover that little lake only a half-mile off the main trail. 

Avoid trails that have "trademarked" names: PCT. JMT, HST, etc.

Go Early. You will likely see far fewer people.

Go Late. late in the season or late in the day, there are fewer people about. 

Go Middle of the Week. And avoid those big crowds.

Go up. The tougher the climb, the most likely that most people will choose another route. 

Go Long. Hike in an extra day, and you'll have the place to yourself

Camp away from water. That granite knob above the lake will have great views, and far fewer mosquitoes.

Go Off Trail. And leave the foot traffic behind. 

The full article is here: 

https://www.backpackthesierra.com/about-3

So what did we miss, or what did we get wrong? 

[Michael aka Mac]

Go with a friend.  

Go with a dog (even if not yours But with their permission, dogs too)

Just Go...

[grizzled]

On 6/13/2022 at 6:24 PM, balzaccom said:

We have had some discussions recently about the wisdom of posting all of our trip reports--especially the ones that point people to those out of the way corners that have yet to be discovered by the great social media masses. Fair enough. We can certainly share their concern that every secret corner will someday be mobbed by a multitude seeking a selfie.

So we decided this time to just post some of the ways you can find a little solitude in the Sierra...

Get off the internet. If you want to escape the crowds, get your information somewhere else.

Get on the internet. Search the web for less used trailheads, difficult passes, and tough climbs. 

Get out the Map. You just might discover that little lake only a half-mile off the main trail. 

Avoid trails that have "trademarked" names: PCT. JMT, HST, etc.

Go Early. You will likely see far fewer people.

Go Late. late in the season or late in the day, there are fewer people about. 

Go Middle of the Week. And avoid those big crowds.

Go up. The tougher the climb, the most likely that most people will choose another route. 

Go Long. Hike in an extra day, and you'll have the place to yourself

Camp away from water. That granite knob above the lake will have great views, and far fewer mosquitoes.

Go Off Trail. And leave the foot traffic behind. 

The full article is here: 

https://www.backpackthesierra.com/about-3

So what did we miss, or what did we get wrong? 

Stay away from National Parks.

Stay away from any trails (as noted).

There are all sorts of Wilderness' out there that are WAY less populated, most especially if your route is off trail.  And contrary to NP's, you can hike/backpack with your canine friend(s).  Those friends will let me know if there is one of those arctos characters out there likely well before I would know otherwise.

[balzaccom]

Another perspective on social media and the outdoors: www.theguardian.com/travel/2022/jul/07/instagram-hiking-tags-geotags-great-outdoors

[Aaron Zagrodnick]

https://www.trailgroove.com/issue36.html?autoflip=61

https://www.trailgroove.com/blogs/entry/133-the-newly-proposed-8th-leave-no-trace-principle/

[balzaccom]

Exactly! 

[ppine]

Hi Balzaccom, 

The simple way is to go where others don't.  Use trails for access, then find your own way off trail simple.