mrchad9 wrote:The BLM does it better, and really this is what the NPS ought to be doing.
This is a shot of the entrance to the camping area at Chimney Creek/Canebreak Road in the southern Sierra. Apparently there was no existing gate for the campground… normally the spot doesn’t even have a fee to camp there… just donations. Well an intrepid ranger took it upon themself to rope the place off with survey tape.
I see no reason to close the place at all. As I have told others, just walk out and leave the door open. But this is the next best thing. If folks don’t want to go in, they don’t have to. But if they do then there is nothing (well very little) to stop them.
Turns out there is a separate exit to the campground and you could drive in the wrong way without even disturbing the survey tape. Great way to have a campground all to yourself.
If the NPS would do this and stop standing behind gates waving around guns then maybe folks wouldn’t be lining up against them.
So did you take the southern route to the Eastside with Tioga Pass closed? I've been meaning to check that road and camping spot out some fall/winter/spring. Well, at least you and lcarreau seem to have found some silver linings.
Meanwhile, my folks are enjoying a multi-state trip and have skipped some planned NP visits, while altering activities at others that are less restricted. They had heard state and private funds were used to open the Grand Canyon, but upon arrival, found something amiss. Needless to say, they found the place less impressive than anticipated.
On the bright side, they are enjoying their decision to visit Vancouver Island, Canada after some time spent around Olympic NP. Maybe they'd be best off making their stay permanent.