When leaf peepers pile onto New England trails, it can ruin fall foliage for all
Midway into October, the vibrant fall colors have drawn thousands of visitors to New England’s trails eager to capture the beauty of autumn.
Midway into October, the vibrant fall colors have drawn thousands of visitors to New England’s trails eager to capture the beauty of autumn. But the influx of hikers has led to concerns about overcrowding and safety, especially in popular spots in New Hampshire.
State park officials are excited to see so many people enjoying the outdoors, but they urge hikers — both new and experienced — to come prepared and be respectful of nature and others on the trails.
Tamara Breau, who recently hiked New Hampshire’s Artist Bluff Trail, described a chaotic scene caused by overcrowding.
“We saw people pushing each other, going off-trail to bypass crowds,” Breau said. “A few hikers came down from the summit saying they were terrified by how packed it was.”
Crowded conditions aren’t just frustrating, they can be dangerous. On Saturday, heavy traffic on I-93 delayed rescuers trying to reach a hiker who had slipped and injured her leg on the Franconia Ridge Trail.
Rating: 5