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Backpacker Magazine – August 2007

Perfect Substitutes: Crowd-Free Destinations

You know that the big-name parks draw big-time crowds. But each of those outdoor icons has a lesser-known replacement that offers some of the same classic features and epic scenery–and you get it all to yourself.

by: Jim Gorman

Pyrite Lake, Lassen Volcanic NP (Larry Ulrich)
Pyrite Lake, Lassen Volcanic NP (Larry Ulrich)
Big Bald, Pigsah NF (Willie Johnson)
Big Bald, Pigsah NF (Willie Johnson)
Swan Lake, Bob Marshall Wilderness (Chuck Haney)
Swan Lake, Bob Marshall Wilderness (Chuck Haney)
Dome Land Wilderness (George Wuerthner)
Dome Land Wilderness (George Wuerthner)

The numbers don't lie: Backpackers are brand-conscious about hiking destinations. On summer weekends, the marquee parks–Great Smoky, Grand Canyon, Yosemite–are understandably crammed with people, frontcountry and back. Go in peak season, and you run the risk of paying retail for that park brand.

We can get it for you wholesale. The fact is that popular hiking spots like New Hampshire's White Mountains can be replicated elsewhere. The rugged hiking above treeline for which the Whites are renowned can be duplicated 25 miles away in Maine. Yellowstone's otherworldly thermal features have a proxy in northern California. Glacier's dose of active ingredients–mountain crags and megafauna–comes undiluted in another Montana wilderness.

So consider switching brands. You might forfeit some justifiably famous photo ops, but it's yours for less: less crowding, less red tape, less frustration–and more bang for your backpacking buck.


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READERS COMMENTS

Several corrections - Between Black Balsam and Cold Mountain, you'll hit four 6000 foot peaks, not five - Black Balsam, Tenent Mountain, Shining Rock and Cold Mountain. You can hit Sam Knob for a fifth but that's the opposite direction (although definitely worth the trip). You can also hit the Devil's Courtyard which is close to 6K on your way to the Middle Prong wilderness via the Mountains to Sea trail.

The trail is called Ivestor, not Investor.

Fork Ridge trail is in the GSMNP and is not possible to reach in a twenty mile loop that includes Shining Rock.

Fork Mountain trail is in the Ellicot Rock wilderness and is also not possible possible to reach in a twenty mile loop that includes Shining Rock.



Posted: May 30, 2009 Maconaghie

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