Do you enjoy long lines of people that reminds you of SEATAC TSA, but prefer to be outdoors?
Do you enjoy off leash dogs and the gentle waft of their baking bagged feces greeting you on the hot trail as you pass by because of “oh I’ll just get it on my way down”ers?
Do you enjoy bros with drones?
Do you enjoy trying to exercise hiking etiquette and allowing uphill hikers to pass, only to realize you’re stopping every 50 meters for four miles to let someone pass?
Do you enjoy encountering not one, but two bachelorette parties as you hike?
Do you enjoy parking among 83, yes, eighty three cars parked on both sides a narrow mountain road?
Do you find yourself laughing when you hike past a sign on the trail that says “wilderness”?
Do you enjoy incredible splendor and mountain beauty, but don’t want to be alone?
Then this, my friends, is the hike for you.
Go early.
-A grumpy old man
Comments
stever on Yellow Aster Butte
This is one of the best trip reports I've read on here in years. Great job! SR
Posted by:
stever on Jul 20, 2024 06:39 PM
Bob and Barb on Yellow Aster Butte
We agree!
Posted by:
Bob and Barb on Jul 20, 2024 09:13 PM
robgirl on Yellow Aster Butte
Thank you for this! I loved this trip report.
Posted by:
robgirl on Jul 20, 2024 07:28 PM
Muledeer on Yellow Aster Butte
Yikes, The Lake 22 crowd has to have someplace to hike!
Posted by:
Muledeer on Jul 20, 2024 08:24 PM
wafflesnfalafel on Yellow Aster Butte
beautiful but wow...
Posted by:
wafflesnfalafel on Jul 20, 2024 09:25 PM
Bluebellied Toad on Yellow Aster Butte
Love this report. 😀
Posted by:
Bluebellied Toad on Jul 20, 2024 10:05 PM
Dreamer Deceiver on Yellow Aster Butte
From one grump to another: I salute you.
Posted by:
Dreamer Deceiver on Jul 21, 2024 12:34 AM
AmyCoug on Yellow Aster Butte
Fantastic report! Perhaps the only thing you weren’t able to “enjoy” were hikers blaring their music? 🤣
Posted by:
AmyCoug on Jul 21, 2024 12:11 PM
Serpentine on Yellow Aster Butte
Yes, I’m an aging grump also. Yes, I remember hiking these trails 50 years ago and seeing practically no one. And never any dogs! But Seattle had only one “skyscraper” then and probably not more than two restaurants that were open after 8pm. For better and worse, waaay more people live here now and I try to be positive about the fact that many of them like to go outdoors. Hard to quantify but it does seem that posts to WTA and Alltrails, not to mention the usual social media, might be contributing to the concentration of crowds at particular destinations. Not sure what, if anything, could or should be done about that. What ought to be addressed for sure is the pullulating plague of pooping “pups” and their clueless owners. Hats off to you dog people who leash and clean up after your pets or, better yet, leave them safe, hydrated and rested at home.
Posted by:
Serpentine on Jul 21, 2024 12:24 PM
seattlenativemike on Yellow Aster Butte
Right there with you. Another reason this Seattle native lives half the year in SE Alaska.
Posted by:
seattlenativemike on Jul 21, 2024 01:33 PM
Muledeer on Yellow Aster Butte
Yeah remember when Lake 22 was a goat trail, 10 people was a crowd, no one ever heard of reservations to get into Mt Rainier, and you could always find a camping spot no matter where you went! Also curmudgeony
Posted by:
Muledeer on Jul 21, 2024 07:24 PM
seattlenativemike on Yellow Aster Butte
This is why I don’t post anymore :) my favorite hikes do not need more publicity. Well, that and my objective, snarky reports were never going to get me an Outstanding Trip Reporter badge.
Posted by:
seattlenativemike on Jul 21, 2024 01:31 PM
Serpentine on Yellow Aster Butte
I’ve always enjoyed your posts!
So far I’ve resisted the urge to post “slight exaggerations” about potholes deep enough to swallow multiple Porsche Cayennes, narrow escapes from blood-fanged predators, sightings of Preppers staggering under the weight of automatic weapons, etc. Best to maintain silence…
Posted by:
Serpentine on Jul 21, 2024 02:02 PM
pokeytom on Yellow Aster Butte
From another grumpy old man, fortunately I can hike on weekdays. It cuts it down to only one bachelorette party.
Posted by:
pokeytom on Jul 22, 2024 08:54 AM