I agree with a lot of what you say.zozeppelin wrote:Pete, thanks as always for the insight (and pictures)!
My only request, is that if the park gates are open, let people do walk-in reservations regardless of site and trail status (wildlife and snow hazards aside). Treat them like undesignated permits (in terms of trail and camp condition expectations) - the point being 'clear' trails and 'non-winter status' camps, and the staff/resource needs that go along with it, should not be prerequisites for backcountry camping.
If a person(s) can provide their own transportation and understands the trail/camp status compromise, what good reason is for them not to be able to do it? I see little to no additional resources needed and little to no disease risk, especially considering any other park open related activity.
The only argument I could see is there is an inherent safety risk of having limited resources for evac, but I would argue there would be appreciable less risk of the need for evac due to the pedigree of hiker who would be much better on average due to decreased glamping conditions. I can appreciate it's really easy to punt backcountry to 2021 by assuming standard condition requirements and subsequent staffing requirements, but I'd hope some logic and compromise can be had.
You're forgetting that we now live in a "Nanny State". Everyone is afraid of being sued if people are allowed to do as you and I would advocate. When people get hurt these days they immediately look for "somebody" to blame---and then sue.
So the one size fits all solution is invoked and we're all punished. Better to close everything down than allowing some of us to assume the risk of going camping on our own. It's pathetic, but that's the way it is in the 21st Century.
This same logic is part of why there will be cell service in the park soon. The Nanny Staters will demand it along with the big Cell Phone companies.
Some "wilderness" experience huh?
The Beartooth and the Bob are looking better every day!
This is from Memorial Day weekend 2015 on the way to Bowman Lake.
If you aren't willing to deal with this sort of thing--stay home
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-5q2 ... f-1920.mp4