[at-l] How Wild Should We Be?

[RoksnRoots@aol.com (RoksnRoots@aol.com)]

In a message dated 8/12/01 7:13:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time, ellen@clinic.net 
writes:

<<  trail angels bringing pizzas, beer and sodas
  into the woods and mountains for whatever private demons that drive them. 
Trail maintainers overly
  civilizing the treadway . >>

    I mostly agree, but I'm sure many old timer ATer's would hope that 
certain types of trail angeling remain. There could be places where such 
activity solidifies a Trail community and makes for a better Trail 
experience. Perhaps angeling should be done in acceptable places near the 
Trail and not on it. Harriman reminds me of an acceptable place, Shenandoah 
campgrounds another. 

    Another place where a case by case basis should be applied would be 
trailbed improvement. I tend to err towards trail improvement. There are 
places where the bed would assist in creating a better trail experience if it 
was compatibly improved and made permanent. I believe these improved 
treadways eventually grow in and become ancient. From there they become less 
intrusive. The Shenandoah CCC trails are exemplary and show how a developed 
treadway can both mix into forest surroundings and provide a better walking 
experience. Another case would be the ancient iron ore stone railroad 
causeways near Fahnstock. This is a heavily developed bed, but is, at the 
same time, a novelty.
 
   Of course, in other cases a faint and wispy path through the forest can 
also provide a wilder feel. So, it should be done case by case according to 
surroundings, use, trail condition and desired experience. Some Trail 
planners really have an instinct for it. Bob Peoples' new trailbed out of 
Carvers Gap is an incredible example of an improved pathway capable of 
handling the traffic it receives while solving a serious erosion problem that 
was previously marring the scenery.