On a recent weekday, I made the rigorous 11-mile hike to Mount Cammerer in the Smokies. During the hour my small group of hikers were enjoying lunch and the views, at least 40 others hikers showed up.
Running into so many people detracts a bit from the "wilderness experience." Don't get me wrong - I enjoyed the experience immensely, shared as it was. But the episode raises the question of whether the demand for wilderness is outstripping supply.
In fact, I often choose to hike in nearby designated wilderness areas to avoid the crowded trails.
Joyce Kilmer-Silckrock, Citico, Bald River Gorge and Little Frog Wilderness areas have yielded great memories of wilderness outings where I did not run into crowds.
But we can't expect these relatively small wilderness-protected areas to remain uncrowded forever - we need to add to them when the opportunity arises.
Now is just such a time. The US Forest Service is recommending wilderness designation for several "study areas" within the Cherokee National Forest, but it's up to each of us to contact our representatives and let them know how much we want it to happen.
Ron Shrieves
Knoxville, TN
