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Posted by RandalH (69.146.180.220) on 18:18:38 08/09/12
So I went into the park today with the intent to hike to Turbid Lake from the west, but
knowing that closures had been implemented, I stopped by the information desk at
Fishing Bridge before heading to the trailhead to make sure there wasn't anything
impacting the route. I also waned to clarify contradictory statements in a couple trail
guides I had, one suggesting to follow the old road back to the trailhead, one claiming
that such practice was expressly forbidden.
At some point in the initial banter with the worker, who seemed very adamant that
Turbid Lake wasn't a place worth going (it smells bad, the flies are terrible, it's not very
scenic...), it came out that I was hiking alone, at which point she (I should have grabbed
a name in retrospect, but didn't) stated that I'd be unable to hike there because I was
required to have a group of 4 to hike into Pelican Valley. Since I had no group, there
was no need for her to go check if the trail was open for travel. I told her I was aware it
was strongly recommended to hike in a group of 4 or more bear country, but I had
heard nothing of a regulation mandating it. She re-iterated her position -- it was
REQUIRED. Case closed.
Needless to say, this is the first I've heard of such a rule. Is this something new that's
gone into effect in knee-jerk reaction to last summer?
In somewhat of a state of disbelief, I drove to the trailhead anyway. There is nothing on
the board to indicate such a regulation. There is the rather ominous-looking day-use
rules sign that states it is 'highly recommended to walk in groups of at least 4," along
with the hours restrictions. There's a smaller sign saying it best to have 3 people in
your group in bear country. That's it -- nary a word about a mandated minimum group
size.
So here I am appealing to the masses. Is there really a regulation for group size in
Pelican Valley? If so, has this always been the case or was this something done in
reaction to the bear fatalities of last summer? Again, if there is such regulation, are
there any other areas of the park similarly restricted to parties of 4 or more for hiking
(Mary Mountain jumps to mind as a likely candidate...)
Or is Turbid Lake really the site of the National Park Service's equivalent of Area 51 and
that's the real reason everything seems to be conspiring to keep me out?
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