Happy Anniversary, Crosstown Trail - plus, a Pride ban in the Park Service, the most dangerous part of any outdoor adventure, pro tips for boot care, sequoia checkups, a festival for camas, and more!
Me too. It IS weird. Does it save them some costs, or benefit the hikers who live on that side of the San Gabriels? I don’t use that TH much because the highway west of it has been under repair forever, and I’ve also discovered that I’d much rather hike Baden-Powell from Dawson Gap. So I’ll just put out my America the Beautiful pass and keep on keeping on.
Urban hiking is a great way to learn about any city!
But here’s the latest thing on hiking from a trailhead-third parties charging a fee to hike from a trailhead that used to be paid directly to the Forest service, and within the same administrative area covered by those fees. Check this out: https://youtu.be/s4r8z1k3QiA?si=hW8sSaRdEZdvE4X_
Oh this is very interesting ... I'm honestly a little surprised the Hiking Guy hasn't encountered this before ... the Adventure Pass was refocused and limited way back in 2012-2013, and these sites he's encountered were included in that decision. I'm also confused about his "third party" thing, because these places selling the passes are just vendors and don't make any money off of them. I used to get an Adventure Pass from 7-11 before I drove into the San Gabriels ... unless I'm missing something, this is very much not-new, and that fee goes to the FS, not the place you bought the pass.
Really loved this line about city trails - "Plus, these trails can be an opportunity for the city to tell a story about itself—both for visitors and people who live there..." The ideas behind "place attachment theory" have been gaining momentum in the past few decades and city trails seem to offer an exceptional way for every human to experience their own neighborhood with fresh eyes, and hopefully deepen their connection with the places we call home.
HUGE proponent of place attachment theory here. We need more in-person, local community engagement, and these trails can be a really interesting way of bringing both neighborhoods and cities together with a shared vision and purpose.
If I understand what I’ve been reading about this, it’s more than just selling Adventure passes. In the case of the Vincent Gap TH, you have to get the parking pass from Mountain High (or specific visitor centers), which is acting as a concessionaire for maintaining the TH facilities. I’m not clear on whether Adventure Passes purchased from other vendors or America the Beautiful passes are accepted. If not, then local hikers will be getting double billed for parking at trailheads. I’m all for cleaner toilets and less trash but I’d rather see the USFS get better funding to maintain the facilities themselves.
yeah that is not very clear in the video, and it doesn't seem like he had answers from anyone. The NF website for the Big Pines Rec Area says that all the other passes -- Adventure Pass, Interagency Pass, Senior Pass -- are valid for these areas. I'm guessing this "Big Pine Pass" is just a new name for a pass that's only good in those particular areas, which is a little weird but maybe branding? But it's also the same price as a day / annual Adventure Pass good for all SoCal Forests. And it's the FS that enforces these rules and issues tickets, not Mountain High, so it would be very weird if Mountain High was selling its own passes but they weren't OK'ed by the Forest Service ...
Either way, I left him a comment on the YouTube link and hope he hears back from someone!
Me too. It IS weird. Does it save them some costs, or benefit the hikers who live on that side of the San Gabriels? I don’t use that TH much because the highway west of it has been under repair forever, and I’ve also discovered that I’d much rather hike Baden-Powell from Dawson Gap. So I’ll just put out my America the Beautiful pass and keep on keeping on.
Urban hiking is a great way to learn about any city!
But here’s the latest thing on hiking from a trailhead-third parties charging a fee to hike from a trailhead that used to be paid directly to the Forest service, and within the same administrative area covered by those fees. Check this out: https://youtu.be/s4r8z1k3QiA?si=hW8sSaRdEZdvE4X_
Would love to hear your take on this.
Oh this is very interesting ... I'm honestly a little surprised the Hiking Guy hasn't encountered this before ... the Adventure Pass was refocused and limited way back in 2012-2013, and these sites he's encountered were included in that decision. I'm also confused about his "third party" thing, because these places selling the passes are just vendors and don't make any money off of them. I used to get an Adventure Pass from 7-11 before I drove into the San Gabriels ... unless I'm missing something, this is very much not-new, and that fee goes to the FS, not the place you bought the pass.
Another great post, Casey!
Really loved this line about city trails - "Plus, these trails can be an opportunity for the city to tell a story about itself—both for visitors and people who live there..." The ideas behind "place attachment theory" have been gaining momentum in the past few decades and city trails seem to offer an exceptional way for every human to experience their own neighborhood with fresh eyes, and hopefully deepen their connection with the places we call home.
HUGE proponent of place attachment theory here. We need more in-person, local community engagement, and these trails can be a really interesting way of bringing both neighborhoods and cities together with a shared vision and purpose.
Huh. Mountain High is not saying that. https://www.mthigh.com/site/connect/blog/authors/john_mccolly/introducing-the-big-pines-pass
I ... am not surprised the Forest Service website may not have the most up to date information ::sighs deeply::
If I understand what I’ve been reading about this, it’s more than just selling Adventure passes. In the case of the Vincent Gap TH, you have to get the parking pass from Mountain High (or specific visitor centers), which is acting as a concessionaire for maintaining the TH facilities. I’m not clear on whether Adventure Passes purchased from other vendors or America the Beautiful passes are accepted. If not, then local hikers will be getting double billed for parking at trailheads. I’m all for cleaner toilets and less trash but I’d rather see the USFS get better funding to maintain the facilities themselves.
yeah that is not very clear in the video, and it doesn't seem like he had answers from anyone. The NF website for the Big Pines Rec Area says that all the other passes -- Adventure Pass, Interagency Pass, Senior Pass -- are valid for these areas. I'm guessing this "Big Pine Pass" is just a new name for a pass that's only good in those particular areas, which is a little weird but maybe branding? But it's also the same price as a day / annual Adventure Pass good for all SoCal Forests. And it's the FS that enforces these rules and issues tickets, not Mountain High, so it would be very weird if Mountain High was selling its own passes but they weren't OK'ed by the Forest Service ...
Either way, I left him a comment on the YouTube link and hope he hears back from someone!