A few weekends ago, I took a trip out to the Sierras. I ran a few quick googles to check out what I should check out. Being a self proclaimed alpine lakes enthusiast, Big Pine Lakes caught my eye. My first journey in the John Muir Wilderness did not disappoint. I can see why the man saw all that and went back home to fight for the protection of those lands. Having come off remote wilderness during my CT trip, I was alarmed at how popular the area was. Especially with what I'm guessing were mostly novice hikers.

This has been a trend over the last few decades with more and more Americans seeking solace in the outdoors. I think the pandemic played a large part in accelerating the effect though. I've noticed it myself even back when I was in Virginia. On shorter hikes, it was all too common to see lots of folks that you could guess weren't as educated about the outdoors or Leave No Trace principles. I saw one of my favorite overlooks, Bears Den become completely overrun, cluttered with trash and vandalized. Disposable coffee cups, spray painted rocks and people flicking cigarette butts off right in front of my very eyes.

Certainly Instagram and other social media feeds have allowed geo tagging to expose some of America's best kept secrets. Big Pine Lakes was one such victim of this. Gorgeous dramatic backdrops make for appealing photographs, hell I'm quite guilty of it myself.

How do the experienced outdoor recreationists go out and help steer this change in the right direction? Education is perhaps one of the most key areas to focus in. We need to explain about Leave No Trace principles, ethical/sustainable gear purchases and political involvement. Public lands are already under almost constant attack and if we want our children to share these experiences, we need to also do our part and volunteer some of our time and money to continue to preserve the natural world.