McNeil Point, 8/19/18, or A Defense of Hiking in Crowds
Posted: August 27th, 2018, 7:52 pm
A week ago Sunday I headed up to McNeil Point to enjoy one of my favorite places on Mt. Hood. Fri or Sat would have been cooler and less hazy, but I couldn’t get out then.
You all know McNeil Point, so I’m not going to tell you details of the hike. I will say that it was crowded. When I arrived at the Top Spur parking area at 10:30 there were about 50-60 cars, jammed into the proper parking lot and lined up and down on the side of the road. If you account for turnover during the day, there may have been 70-90 cars there, which corresponds to what? 140-150 people? That’s a lot of people. I can hear you now: why in the world would you hike McNeil on a Sunday in Aug?
First, I have to say, despite the number of people up on the mtn today, it didn’t ever feel that crowded. It wasn’t like we were part of a mule train headed up the mtn. (I’m looking at you South Sister.) I encountered people on the trail regularly, but I also went stretches without seeing anyone. When I reached the shelter at McNeil Pt at 12:15, I was all alone. I was most surprised at the number of people who were up on the ridge above the shelter. I counted 19 people on my way up. Usually the distance and the elevation gain dissuades the casual hiker and leaves those upper reaches reasonably empty of people. Overall, you knew there were other people on the trails with you, but it wasn't like a trip to Walmart.
But it wasn’t solitude. And a lot of us value solitude on our hikes above nearly all else. Many of us would avoid a place like McNeil on a weekend. We might even speak with a little disdain for the hordes of people jamming the trails. But I want to speak in defense of the crowds, and urge an open mind to the pleasures of meeting our fellow hikers out on the trails.
I understand the urge for solitude. I often seek out lesser known trails to guarantee I won’t see another soul during my hike. Particularly after a long week at work, I value the opportunity to be alone with my thoughts. Hiking alone in the wilderness helps me to center myself. I come away feeling recharged and renewed. There’s something about being out in nature that helps give you perspective. It helps you see your own worries and difficulties in a new light, And there’s something mystical about connecting with the larger outdoors. Standing in view of Mt Hood gives me an amazing feeling of awe and sense of purpose. So, I get it. I too value opportunities to be alone in the woods.
But I was reminded today that there’s something to be said for sharing the amazing outdoors with others. Now I’m not talking about the first half-mile of a Gorge hike, where you have all manner of unprepared tourists walking to see the sights. But out on a trail like McNeil Pt, you’ve got a lot of like-minded folks, outdoors enthusiasts who are probably in this place for many of the same reasons I am. What better people to interact with, even if it’s just a nod hello?
The people I met on the trail today reminded me of some of the great reasons we get out hiking, and even in brief, casual conversations we shared a sense of community.
I saw the family gently encouraging their young children up the steep trail. They were practicing for an upcoming backpack trip. Seeing them brought fond memories of outings with my own children. In fact, I saw several Father-daughter pairs out on the trail. It’s so nice to see parents passing on their love of the outdoors. These children are the future of our hiking trails.
I met a pair of women who when I asked where they were headed, said they might head down to Muddy Creek. I never would have thought of that as a destination from Top Spur, and it started my mind whirring with some new trip ideas.
I met the dedicated guy who lugged his skies all the way up the ridge above McNeil Pt, who got about 8 turns in on one of the remaining patches of snow. Kudos!
I enjoyed asking the backpackers headed out where they stayed and how it was. it’s fun hearing where people camped, and I noticed that everyone had a smile on their face.
By the end of my day as I headed down the Timberline Trail I encountered lots of backpackers headed up to Cairn Basin, Elk Cove, or beyond. One group included a German who was a former exchange student, back for a return visit. How exciting that he returned to Mt Hood!
These simple exchanges are a glimpse of our common humanity. We discover in each other a common interest, and forge, however briefly, bonds that tie. This sense of common interest and goodwill was every bit as uplifting as the solitude I sometimes seek.
I came away with a resolution: to not fear the crowds. To enjoy my fellow hikers, to connect and find our common interest in experiencing the outdoors. I encourage you to do the same. You may find it uplifts your heart.
You all know McNeil Point, so I’m not going to tell you details of the hike. I will say that it was crowded. When I arrived at the Top Spur parking area at 10:30 there were about 50-60 cars, jammed into the proper parking lot and lined up and down on the side of the road. If you account for turnover during the day, there may have been 70-90 cars there, which corresponds to what? 140-150 people? That’s a lot of people. I can hear you now: why in the world would you hike McNeil on a Sunday in Aug?
First, I have to say, despite the number of people up on the mtn today, it didn’t ever feel that crowded. It wasn’t like we were part of a mule train headed up the mtn. (I’m looking at you South Sister.) I encountered people on the trail regularly, but I also went stretches without seeing anyone. When I reached the shelter at McNeil Pt at 12:15, I was all alone. I was most surprised at the number of people who were up on the ridge above the shelter. I counted 19 people on my way up. Usually the distance and the elevation gain dissuades the casual hiker and leaves those upper reaches reasonably empty of people. Overall, you knew there were other people on the trails with you, but it wasn't like a trip to Walmart.
But it wasn’t solitude. And a lot of us value solitude on our hikes above nearly all else. Many of us would avoid a place like McNeil on a weekend. We might even speak with a little disdain for the hordes of people jamming the trails. But I want to speak in defense of the crowds, and urge an open mind to the pleasures of meeting our fellow hikers out on the trails.
I understand the urge for solitude. I often seek out lesser known trails to guarantee I won’t see another soul during my hike. Particularly after a long week at work, I value the opportunity to be alone with my thoughts. Hiking alone in the wilderness helps me to center myself. I come away feeling recharged and renewed. There’s something about being out in nature that helps give you perspective. It helps you see your own worries and difficulties in a new light, And there’s something mystical about connecting with the larger outdoors. Standing in view of Mt Hood gives me an amazing feeling of awe and sense of purpose. So, I get it. I too value opportunities to be alone in the woods.
But I was reminded today that there’s something to be said for sharing the amazing outdoors with others. Now I’m not talking about the first half-mile of a Gorge hike, where you have all manner of unprepared tourists walking to see the sights. But out on a trail like McNeil Pt, you’ve got a lot of like-minded folks, outdoors enthusiasts who are probably in this place for many of the same reasons I am. What better people to interact with, even if it’s just a nod hello?
The people I met on the trail today reminded me of some of the great reasons we get out hiking, and even in brief, casual conversations we shared a sense of community.
I saw the family gently encouraging their young children up the steep trail. They were practicing for an upcoming backpack trip. Seeing them brought fond memories of outings with my own children. In fact, I saw several Father-daughter pairs out on the trail. It’s so nice to see parents passing on their love of the outdoors. These children are the future of our hiking trails.
I met a pair of women who when I asked where they were headed, said they might head down to Muddy Creek. I never would have thought of that as a destination from Top Spur, and it started my mind whirring with some new trip ideas.
I met the dedicated guy who lugged his skies all the way up the ridge above McNeil Pt, who got about 8 turns in on one of the remaining patches of snow. Kudos!
I enjoyed asking the backpackers headed out where they stayed and how it was. it’s fun hearing where people camped, and I noticed that everyone had a smile on their face.
By the end of my day as I headed down the Timberline Trail I encountered lots of backpackers headed up to Cairn Basin, Elk Cove, or beyond. One group included a German who was a former exchange student, back for a return visit. How exciting that he returned to Mt Hood!
These simple exchanges are a glimpse of our common humanity. We discover in each other a common interest, and forge, however briefly, bonds that tie. This sense of common interest and goodwill was every bit as uplifting as the solitude I sometimes seek.
I came away with a resolution: to not fear the crowds. To enjoy my fellow hikers, to connect and find our common interest in experiencing the outdoors. I encourage you to do the same. You may find it uplifts your heart.