Naturist/nudist hiking

[Nhavasu]

What are your views on naturists/nudists? Has anyone come upon a naked hiker/camper and what was the outcome ?

[wallyfrack]

I can't wait to try out my new taser! :whistle:

[te_wa]

I use X-Ray vision sunglasses I got from eBay and I cant wait to use 'em on Squaw Peak. So for me, everyone is nude.

[PaleoRob]

I use X-Ray vision sunglasses I got from eBay and I cant wait to use 'em on Squaw Peak. So for me, everyone is nude.

Let me know how those work for you. I've been eying a pair on this Cracker Jack box...

[Jeffshadows]

when im a couple of miles from the t.h. on difficult trails that i know there will be min.or no contact w/other humans, off come my clothes except boots socks hat and pack and most of the time a firearm nearby. as for getting things stuck in your johnson it does not happen.they are protected in brushy areas at all times by a stategically placed hand. also the people i have run into don't seem to care. and until i get my boy ripped off in a brush fight or something i intend to keep up this practice. best time and place for a viewing is the supes on really hot days.

...and I thought I was getting a good tan being out when it's unbearably hot ;-)

[hikeaz]

I use X-Ray vision sunglasses I got from eBay and I cant wait to use 'em on Squaw Peak. So for me, everyone is nude.

[david_allen_3]

Not legal or illegal. Why do we need so many laws?

[SuperstitionGuy]

Then there was the fellow down Georgia way that came upon a group of young ladies skinny dipping and when they complained about his presence he explained. "Oh, I am not here to peek at you, I am here to feed my pet alligators!".

[lbiffle]

Not legal or illegal. Why do we need so many laws?

It turns out that the AZ laws are far less onerous than some other states'.

A cop once explained to us that as long as nobody complains, it's not illegal. The "indecent exposure" law in AZ uses the word "reckless" as a condition, so as long as you're not where you're likely to upset anyone, you're not breaking the law. Besides, hiking where everybody else is, isn't any fun. We would much rather spook roadrunners than equestrians.

We hike naked every weekend in State Trust land on the northern outskirts of Phoenix, and we've never had a problem. Of course, we stay far away from roads and the places where the dirt-bikers run. And, as far as stickers go, our plants are so short that we have no more risk than folks in shorts. We stay on traditional trails, so as not to harm the plants.

We also will cover up when we see anyone coming near. We find that people that see you from afar will holler and wave, but those same people may be uneasy if we're up close. Lots will comment that we didn't have to cover for them, but it's better to be thoughtful. We're also out very early in the morning, when there are fewer folks enjoying the outdoors. We'll go months without seeing anyone else.

Enjoy AZ!

[Slider]

I don't think it's a big deal, however, those doing it should definitely respect those that might be offended.

[sprottm]

It's actually quite invigorating.

[sparklee76]

Another great place to hang out is Watson Lake in Prescott, AZ. This lake has lots of large flat rocks and a lot of people bare it all to enjoy the sunshine. Lots of younger people "hang out" around here. Lots of sunshine to go sunbathing too!

[NVMNTBIKER]

I vote yes. I hike in the Buff on occasion. I avoid others and take every precaution not to offend. SPF-50 or greater is a must. By all means, don't go out with an exhibitionist attitude. If caught, be polite and if they are offended cover up as quickly as possible. Happy hiking.

[azbackpackr]

Last weekend backpacked Black River with 6 people. At the swimming hole, we were the only other hikers. Several jumped in without swimsuits. They didn't bother to ask if anyone else minded, though. However, it seemed no one else was offended.

The water was pretty cold, though! I do think that people of a certain gender would, shall we say, find it a bit diminishing! ;)

[joebartels]

Also think it depends on the area. I noticed while posting a Washington peninsula hike yesterday the National Park page mentioned "Nudity is Common" but nothing in regards to suggest it's not allowed. On the other hand I'm pretty sure if you hiked naked in the woods where I grew up in Oklahoma they'd shoot first, laugh then drag you by pickup. Of which should be considered "kind".

[Jeffshadows]

Just remember that some people do hike with children. That's all I ask...

[chumley]

Jeff, I understand your feelings, but in today's world, children are "exposed" to much worse than a fat naked guy on the trail. I find it a lot easier to explain an innocent nude hiker to a child than to explain non-stop news coverage of presidential, um, "encounters", not to mention near-non-stop advertisements for erectile dysfunction and STD meds during otherwise family-friendly programming such as sports events. (Is there an 8-year-old in America who doesn't know that "if you have an erection that lasts more than four hours, you need to see your physician"? )

[Jeffshadows]

There's a lot of truth to take away from what you're saying, for sure. You didn't even touch on all of the violence, which is probably much worse in the long-run. Personally I think all of it serves to confuse children and prompt them to make poor choices. If we lived in a more Utopian and open society where encounters with nude people could be counted upon to have an underlying educational and sociological benefit, I would be all for it; we don't, unfortunately.

My worry is less about old, free-wheelin' ex-hippies at a hot spring practicing free love and whatever. More power to all of you out there - live your principles and be proud to do so. My worry is more about the voyeur culture that is now exploding in the information age and simultaneously bringing out the worst humanity has to offer.

YouTube is rife with underage girls exposing themselves and people of all ages pushing whatever "envelope" they've chosen further and further in self-aggrandizing attempts to prove that they are "tougher", "smarter", or "more extreme" than the rest of us. The last time I went to Tanque Verde Falls there was a group of high-schoolers back in there naked and drunk and narrowly escaping injury as they leaped from the cliffs above. Not shockingly the whole thing was being videotaped by one of the crew, no doubt for upload later. I was walking home from University Ave here in town one night about a week before all of the students left with my wife and newborn in-tow when we happened upon a blasted drunk sorority girl squatting just off the sidewalk, in full view of Speedway blvd, peeing. When I asked her if she was okay she told me to "F-off and not judge her."

Here's my bottom line: If you're coming from the perspective that you want to be "free" and you live a lifestyle that is in tune with your general outlook, go for it. When I see your naked, ivy-tattoo-covered body on the trail I'll smile and wave and even get a little chuckle out of it later on. You'll enhance my experience that day out on the trail.

But, if you're out there to be in my face with your "rebellious ways" and\or to prove how hardcore and extreme you are; or if you're out there openly and proudly doing things that are tantamount to pornography in our wild areas - you're wrong and expect me to accost you and tell you so.

[Hoffmaster]

But, if you're out there to be in my face with your "rebellious ways" and\or to prove how hardcore and extreme you are; or if you're out there openly and proudly doing things that are tantamount to pornography in our wild areas - you're wrong and expect me to accost you and tell you so.

I guess I'll cancel my plans for naked rock climbing on Mt. Lemmon. Bummer.

[Jeffshadows]

But, if you're out there to be in my face with your "rebellious ways" and\or to prove how hardcore and extreme you are; or if you're out there openly and proudly doing things that are tantamount to pornography in our wild areas - you're wrong and expect me to accost you and tell you so.

I guess I'll cancel my plans for naked rock climbing on Mt. Lemmon. Bummer.

It's been done to the point of being cliche' anymore

[Hoffmaster]

It's been done to the point of being cliche' anymore

I'm always behind the curve.