Coronavirus and hiking

[DixieFlyer]

Now that we are living in the era of "social distancing", it shouldn't be too surprising to see some hiking venues closed.

Here are a couple of examples:
* The Navajo Nation has closed all of their tribal parks: https://navajonationparks.org/public-notice/
* The road up to Kitt Peak is closed to the public...here is a pic that a friend took when he attempted to ride his bicycle up to the top: [ broken link removed ]

It would seem like hiking, especially in remote areas, would be one of the safer things that you can do...but with the frenzy that is going on, I imagine that there will be more closures in the coming days

[big_load]

This leads me to believe that COVID-19 deaths may be overstated by some unknown amount.

Doubtful. Considering some states (and countries) have come under fire for only reporting hospital deaths and not deaths in assisted living facilities and prisons, its more likely the numbers are under reported.

I agree with the latter. At least around here, COVID deaths are most likely seriously underreported. A lot of people are dying before testing, and they're not wasting many tests on dead people. Epidemiologists are starting to examine excess mortality in some areas, and the initial estimates are the COVID deaths are probably underreported by 50% or more.

[chumley]

@DixieFlyer
Cool. So the reply to

Proof?

is 140.
Which is good because 151 is generally my max.

[Alston_Neal]

@Jim_H
You are a brilliant man, I now understand what you think about on those mountain peaks. I know, most think of me as sarcasm, in this case it is respect.

[CannondaleKid]

@Jim_H
Agreed for the most part, however... nope, 'nuf said.

[SAMBA]

Did an Irish Times Column Express ‘Pity’ for the US? According to Snopes the answer is a resounding "YES":

https://www.facebook.com/john.mccarthy. ... 0672838:36

[outdoor_lover]

@big_load
I think it's pretty easy for those of us living pretty far from the Epicenter of this thing to armchair it all, but you have been neck deep in the crap for weeks. I'm just glad you're still with us my friend.

[Pivo]

@chumley
The Proof question was for Chumley washing his truck

[big_load]

@outdoor_lover
Thanks! Bits of the craziness are indeed nearby, since the now-infamous Andover Subacute Care and Rehab Center is not far up the road. The lockdown has made things a lot more peaceful here in the woods, especially with air traffic so diminished, and the air quality has improved a lot. I get in a good walk every day with lots of hills any way I can. The main downside are grocery shopping, which is like going on a space walk every 2-4 weeks, and work, which been unrelenting.

I sometimes regret not retiring last year. Unfortunately, my boss beat me to the punch in January, so I'm stuck for a while. One way or another, I hope to be back in AZ by the end of the year.

Stay safe everybody!

[Grasshopper]

I think it's pretty easy for those of us living pretty far from the Epicenter of this thing to armchair it all

@big_load
I can assure you I'm one that's not taking this Covid-19 lightly. I've been following for weeks now, almost daily via streaming ABCnews/live and CBSnews/live, the "Hot States" Governor's daily update briefings which NJ has been one since almost the beginning. This Covid-19 Pandemic is the Real Deal and I've continued to be impressed with many of these Governors/Mayors daily briefing updates and actions. NJ should be pleased to have the Governor you have at the helm during these unprecedented times. Stay safe!

[big_load]

@Grasshopper

I agree, NJ's Governor really came into his own during this. He had stumbled a lot before, maybe because he didn't have a solid agenda or prior good working relationships in government. The agenda problem is solved, and the relationship problem along with it.

[hikeaz]

Effective Wednesday, May 6th Bryce Canyon National Park will begin increasing recreational access and services.
The National Park Service (NPS) is working service-wide (after a 90-day vacation) with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Reopening Access to the Park

Beginning Wednesday, May 6, Bryce Canyon will reopen access to:

The main park road and all viewpoints to Rainbow Point
Restrooms at Sunset Point (only restrooms open within the park)
Trails within the Bryce Amphitheater area

With public health in mind, the following facilities will remain closed:

Park Visitor Center and fee booths
Park campgrounds
Mossy Cave parking and trail area
Backcountry trails including the Under the Rim trail and campsites
Park concessions facilities

Camping Reservations

All campground reservations for the month of May have been cancelled and are in the process of being fully refunded.


I am perplexed as to how it was arrived at to open the amphitheater trails, but close the backcountry....with distancing and all that....

[rcorfman]

I am perplexed as to how it was arrived at to open the amphitheater trails, but close the backcountry....with distancing and all that....

I suspect it's to ease/avoid any SAR type activities.

[wildwesthikes]

"Keep Backcountry trails including the Under the Rim trail and campsites closed"

Translation:

Let's focus on mitigating the least likely risk and allow the most likely risks to occur unabated.

[chumley]

Perhaps related. Or not.

I found conflicting information on the Coconino NF website, so I called and spoke directly with somebody at the Flagstaff Ranger District.

While most roads on the forest have been opened, Lockett Meadow Road and Snowbowl Road remain closed. The FS will open 552 when the road dries out sufficiently. However, despite Snowbowl Road being paved and having no fear of spring damage, it remains closed indefinitely. According to the FS employee I spoke with, it remains closed on the request of the Coconino County Sheriff's Department who wants to minimize the need for search and rescue operations on the peaks. There is no plan to open the road, but we speculated that it may happen "when all the snow melts".

So much like the fire ban enacted across all forest lands in the southwest, the primary focus is minimizing risk to the personnel tasked with search, rescue, and public safety.

[CannondaleKid]

Let's focus on mitigating the least likely risk and allow the most likely risks to occur unabated.

They're just giving Darwin a larger pool to select from.

[CannondaleKid]

So much like the fire ban enacted across all forest lands in the southwest, the primary focus is minimizing risk to the personnel tasked with search, rescue, and public safety.

But no worries, let the shooters continue to do their thing... the glaringly visible results (large swaths of pink fire retardant) can be seen driving southbound on AZ 87 just north of the Four Peaks/Sycamore Creek intersection.

[wildwesthikes]

But no worries, let the shooters continue to do their thing...

My last night on the Kaibab plateau over last weekend. I'm car camping before the drive back to PHX. Of course, cooking over a stove instead of a fire. The guys camped next door made sure to do their nightly "kill everything that moves thing". Punctuated at the end by a nice big shotgun blast. Yet campfires are restricted. I'm severely used to the indiscriminate gunfire while dispersed camping. But I really don't understand why not restrict target practice and non-bow hunting at the same time, if the goal is to keep wildfires from drawing fire crews during this tryin' time.

By the way, next time you're dirt bagging it - try some pasta, a jar of pesto and a good pound of dehydrated ground beef. That will be making the regular camping rotation going forward.

[chumley]

I think we can see numerous examples of inconsistent actions enacted (or not enacted) across all aspects of life and commerce.

[tibber]

and very sadly,
so far it looks like only walk-ins for Glacier Park if at all, which doesn't make a bunch of sense either. We think it's partly a staffing issue (can't put as many folks in the dorms) to do trail work as well as all the other duties.

I had just figured out how my hiking partner could avoid two 14-day quarantines too (her gear is in Canada but she's in Houston - dual citizenship based on her husband's job).

Glacier Boat Company cxled their season too. Will be interesting to see how they handle the park for the summer, that's for sure.

We are writing in regard to your request for a 2020 season backcountry camping advance reservation in Glacier National Park.

Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and recommendations from state and local public health authorities in consultation with the US Public Health Service, Glacier National Park temporarily closed on March 27. The park continues to assess current operations and anticipated services based on the latest public health guidance for the novel coronavirus. The health and safety of visitors, employees, and volunteers are our top priorities. Although it is extremely difficult to predict the nature of summer park operations, the park continues to assess and adapt its planning efforts as new information becomes available.

Due to current and anticipated staffing and operational limitations related to the COVID-19 outbreak, combined with the uncertainty of trail and backcountry campground availability, all backcountry camping advance reservations for the 2020 season have been cancelled. This cancellation includes reservations previously processed. All advance reservation application fees will be fully refunded by May 31.

We understand how disappointing this decision is and the potential impacts it may have on your summer plans. We, too, are backpackers, and providing visitors with wilderness experiences in Glacier National Park is something we look forward to every year.

The park website will be updated when the park reopens and we can safely provide backcountry experiences. The park plans to issue overnight backcountry camping permits when conditions allow. The park will not resume advance reservations for the remainder of 2020. Please monitor www.nps.gov/glac and park social media channels for updates on current park conditions.

From all of us in the backcountry permit office, please accept our heartfelt apologies and wishes for your continued good health.

Sincerely,

Backcountry Permit Rangers
Glacier National Park
go.nps.gov/backcountry

The only silver lining is, at least I don't have to worry about training for any backpacking...

[Tough_Boots]

We think it's partly a staffing issue (can't put as many folks in the dorms) to do trail work as well as all the other duties.

That's likely a big part. I'm guessing most park staff and concessionaire staff leave the area during the off season and would need to risk travel to come back to work. Why risk it for an Aramark or Xanterra wage?