Hot take: Trail development has made my old favorite route feel like a city park

I used to hike the Redwood Creek trail and it was just trees and quiet, no signs or crowds. Now they widened the path, put in benches, and you hear music from hikers all the time. It doesn't feel like a real backpacking trip anymore, more like a busy walk. I miss when routes were rough and you actually got away from it all, lmao.

4 comments

4 Comments

grantpatel1mo ago

That sanitized feeling kills the adventure, like a theme park version of nature.

grace381mo ago

Where's the real risk or surprise?

emmay671mo ago

Doesn't it just make everything feel kind of fake?

ramirez.vera1mo ago

Ugh, tell me about it. They did that to the Pine Ridge loop and now it feels like walking through a mall food court, but with trees. Next they'll be putting in a smoothie stand and requiring reservations. I half expect a turnstile at the trailhead and one of those "you must be this tall" signs.