I called GHSP & Marceia Holland answered. She was very nice & helpful.
I began to explain what I was calling about & she knew immediately what I was referring to. She was appreciative that we had taken the email in the spirit that it was intended... not to come across as a hard nose LE, but as having concern for the area's use & the impact it would have on the other hikers using the area as well.
I told her that we had at times talked about our own concerns in using the wise shelter for our large group. I pointed out the things we had done to balance our impact on the area, but first explained that it was not to change her mind or argue our case, just to let her know that did indeed have concern for the area as well, even though we were "bending the rules"... OK, breaking the rulesBut she never pushed that point very hard.
Some of the good points Marceia made were the group size limits with in State Parks & Wilderness Areas, public consumption of alcohol is illegal, any winter hikers that might come along might need that shelter & not feel inclined to use it, even though we might encourage them to. Also, the shelter is intended mainly as an overnight shelter, not a multiple night hang out, especially considering the group size.
But the one that really made me say, Ummmm.... I hadn't really put that into full perspective is this. We have to spread out quite a ways to look for fire wood. The further we do clean up the fire wood over the weekend, the further a tired, winter hiker is going to have to go to find wood to burn.
We didn't talk about it but it's something to consider about the huge amount of human waste we deposit into that compost style out house in a weekend
Anyway, I explained that alcohol was limited & such, but again, just to let the rangers know that we did keep things relatively in check & tried to be responsible campers.
What it really comes down to is that State Parks & Wilderness Areas are more protected from things like large group impact than the larger Mt Rogers Recreation Area (MRRA). If you look at a map you will see that the MRRA is huge, & it contains with in it's borders GHSP & 3 wilderness areas. I already knew this but just helping everyone get the big picture.
We talked about alternatives, but I forgot to ask about the possibility of using the camp grounds. I can call back & ask, but I have my doubts since she never mentioned it.
She talked about not needing to go much further past Wise shelter to be out of the State Park, but going toward Scales in order not to go into the Little Wilson Creek Wilderness Area.
She said she had a hammock but had not used it for camping (she is a backpacker though) so she didn't know just what we needed as far as set up, but said there are quite a few hemlocks at the edge of the Scales area.
I talked about the need for a rather protected area from the wind for one thing. It's been a long time since I've hiked through Scales but maybe there are enough woods surrounding it??? I don't know how the wind might be in that open valley though.
She said a 4 wheel drive could go into scales & even take fire wood. The firewood ban has not come as far as The Mt Rogers Rec Area, but if wood is brought in, I would just suggest it not be brought from anywhere near the areas were the Emerald Borer has been active.
She said there were vault toilets at Scales & may even be a working water spigot, but not sure.
I'll be away from the computer for a while but just wanted to get this info posted so y'all can start showing how flexible & creative you are
Originally Posted by NCPatrick
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