I'm familiar with that quandary, Robert, and it's a brave new world out there in terms of information and the ability for people to explore the forests. Tools like Google Earth, hand-held GPS devices and online communities were unimaginable when I was in my teens and 20s, and doing this sort of canyon exploring. They're here to stay, and I don't think there's an option of having places with this kind of access remain undiscovered for long. Since the age of the internet, waterfall "discoveries" (for example) have gone off the charts, simply because information and communication is so much more advanced.

I had an interesting conversation with a USFS recreation planner about a year ago regarding an old trail near Mount Hood that was posted online. She was very unhappy to see this information "made public" because she didn't want the trail to turn into "the PCT". It struck me as an odd comment, given that we're losing trails right and left to lack of use, access and maintenance. In this way, the age of the internet and GPS locators is a boon to those who love trails, because it allows people to navigate the faint, old paths without worrying about missing signs or even losing the tread, occasionally.

I suppose I see the glass as half-full when it comes to the information age. To me, it has been a great tool for pointing people to places that need their footprints (and hopefully, a pair of clippers in their pocket).

Tom

I disagree.  The link posted below took me to a webpage that had almost 20 advertisements on its home page alone for 'trails' in the gorge.  I also noticed a trip-report of a place that I had previously revered as almost sacred because of its inherent solitude.  The blood sweat and tears I shed to reach it are much more meaningful to me now that any (in)conceivable highlight along the way has been poorly photographed, roadmapped and then published on a social networking site.  Regardless of why I prefer being reserved and modest about my explorations,  the loss of any perceived solitude is a small price to pay knowing that more people enjoying these types of areas will result in a reduction of the trash I see in the woods...except for what's left by extreme kayakers.

"it has been a great tool for pointing people to places that need their
footprints (and hopefully, a pair of clippers in their pocket)." T Kloster

The problem is that the clippers are left at home. I would have to ask you to consider that this is a logic which is perhaps consoling - they will come to repair - but only because the certaintity that they will not come is tacitly conceded.

Tagging every falls kind of reminds me of prospecting. A very narrow object. Conquest. Glory?

Things are "here to stay" when we fail to move beyond them. There is life beyond the internet, I think. There was before. I am beginning to realize in my world that surpluses of knowledge are not directly proportionate to the minutes of quality life I experience.

Donovan

Interesting topic and dilemma. I'm certainly guilty of posting trip reports on the internet to obscure places. Has this led to overuse? I don't think so. I've found that there are really only a few people that like to do that kind of exploring and a lot of people that just like to look at stuff on the web. I think there have maybe been 4 groups of kayakers that have run the SF Clackamas since my group ran it years ago. Then again, I've done some interesting bush-wacking around the Clackamas and haven't published those trips because I know there aren't very many folks interested.

There are so many obscure places out there that I really don't think we'll run out of places to explore. Heck, I've already forgotten half of the trip report on Pup Cr. and if I wait a few years I'm sure I'll forget everything about it except there are some waterfalls on the creek. Still going to be a new exploration for me if I ever decide to go look which I think is unlikely.

Zach: Were you kidding about the extreme kayaking trash? If not, I'm curious what you've found related to kayakers and where? I'll grant that there are more kayakers hucking stuff in the gorge and I'm not a big fan of that crowd but I'd think they keep most of their stuff with them.

pete

Fortunately, it's a lot easier to screen hike than it is to follow a poster's footsteps.

Meanwhile we still have miles of old trail left unexplored. An existing impact. Where scouts can follow to help someone if necessary.

Donovan