GuppyGB t1_jd7agc6 wrote
Reply to comment by MoldyNalgene in Huge National Park suggested for around Katahdin. by Camooses
There's not really much attraction. Baxter is cool because of Katahdin and the Appalachian trail. This is just a swath of wilderness. I don't see the attraction of visiting but I do like the idea of protecting it.
MoldyNalgene t1_jd7b97d wrote
You throw "National" in front of park and the crowds will come. Of course there are some exceptions like Gates of the Artic and Isle Royale, but those parks are a real pain in the ass to get to. It would probably cause a drastic increase in visitors to Baxter since it would be surrounded by the new national park. Good luck getting an opportunity to hike Katahdin then.
The area is so remote that I don't see it needing protection. There's no jobs up there and little in the way of infrastructure to accommodate lots of growth. The woods have already been logged for the most part, so it's not exactly old growth forest we're talking about protecting here. I personally don't like the idea, but if it happens, it happens.
bigtencopy t1_jd7lq9x wrote
Yup nothing cool up there at all, stay away lol
Icy_Look_7332 t1_jdrn7wc wrote
Yeah nothing to see up here, I heard Bar Harbor is really nice tho😉
seeclick8 t1_jd80len wrote
Baxter is cool and unique because of its natural beauty but most particularly because use is regulated and limited. I was hiking one of the trails several years ago and talked with someone from Pennsylvania who remarked on how beautiful and unique it was and how nice not to have crowds.
Earthling1a t1_jd8b9lx wrote
I remember climbing Katahdin about 30 years ago and thinking there were an awful lot of other people on the trail with me compared to the other times I had climbed it. First time was probably around 1975 or so, I think I saw less than five other people outside my group of two. Climbed it a few years later (in nicer weather) and probably saw about two dozen others, mostly at the top. Last time (that time 30 years ago) I saw lines of people, probably over 100 overall. I can't imagine what it must be like today. I'm imagining walking on a crowded sidewalk.
HIncand3nza t1_jd8xrje wrote
About the same as 30 years ago. They haven’t really expanded the number of available parking spaces.
GuppyGB t1_jd9c6ix wrote
Sounds about the same. Climbed it a couple years ago with good weather and clear skies. Maybe a dozen people at the very top at one time, and maybe 50 or so people just below the summit, either coming up or down. But spread out pretty evenly so it didn't feel crowded at all. There's a big rock scramble passed the tree line that does a good job of slowing the traffic flow lol.
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