Auto Vandalism Mitigation-Presi Car Spot

[DreamFarmer]

If we have to spot a car at the end of our "traverse" are there parking lots that are pretty safe ?

It'll be at the end of June when there should be many people hiking.

 

[dug]

If you can park at the Highland Center, that would probably be your safest spot. That is one easy spot to finish on the Crawford Path. The other probable exit points, I would think, are Mt. Clinton Rd. (the Crawford Connector to Crawford Path) or Rte. 302 (Jackson-Webster Trail). I believe I have heard of an incident on the Mt. Clinton Rd. lot, but never seen it. The other (Jackson-Webster) would be on a fairly main road so I would think that would be relatively safer.

Vandilism is actually pretty rare when you take into account how many cars are parked at trailheads over the course of the year. I've never had a problem in 35 years(now I will because I just said that) and I've never directly seen one, either.

 

[peakbagger]

The highland center "frowns" on hikers parking in their lots unless you are staying there. ( I dont know if they would tow). The Crawford Path lot just across the street is pretty busy with hut traffic and doesnt have a reputation for break ins. The parking along the road for the Mt Jackson trail is very visible from the road, that would discourage professionals. In general it can happen anywhere but that areas doesnt seem to get an inordinate amount of breakins.

 

[vegematic]

If you are going in the other direction you might leave a car at Lowe's store. There is a minimal charge, $1 or $2 per day, but it is about as secure as you'll find. Avoid Appalachia which has a bad reputation for auto damage.

-vegematic

 

[David Metsky]

Avoid Appalachia which has a bad reputation for auto damage.

I've heard some people say that, but I've never experienced a problem there or at any WMNF parking are in the past 25 years. I wouldn't hesitate to park at Appalachia for any length of time.

The only trailhead that I know of that repeatedly comes up as a problem child is 19 Mile Brook.

 

[Tuco]

The highland center "frowns" on hikers parking in their lots unless you are staying there. ( I dont know if they would tow). The Crawford Path lot just across the street is pretty busy with hut traffic and doesnt have a reputation for break ins. The parking along the road for the Mt Jackson trail is very visible from the road, that would discourage professionals. In general it can happen anywhere but that areas doesnt seem to get an inordinate amount of breakins.

One incident doesn't mark a trend but a couple of years ago Sapblatt and I were spotting cars for a Presi attempt and there was a car with a smashed window at the Clinton Rd lot. I guess my point- and peakbaggers- is no place is peferctly safe, but all the lots involved with a traverse I have parked in many times and had no trouble.

 

[Silverfox]

parking lots

The only WMNF lot I have ever had a problem at personally is the parking lot at the Signal Ridge trailhead where I have been broken into.. Regularly see broken glass at 19 Mile Brook Trailhead..


The Gap crossings on the Long Trail in VT are notorious..I once got hit 3 times in one summer...but I digress...

 

[Breeze]

Just wanted to give a heads-up that I have regularly been seeing Gorham PD cruiser checking on 19 Mile Brook Trail parking lot early mornings this winter. Not to suggest anyone become complacent, but it is a step in the right direction that some oversight is going on...

Breeze

 

[RoySwkr]

The lot where I most commonly see broken glass is Rocky Branch E for Isolation, if I do that hike again I might look at parking by the bridge and pretending I'm fishing

The only lot I've ever actually seen broken windows was Signal Ridge (the old lot by trailhead)

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Broken Glass

I've seen broken glass at most of the sites mentioned and have wondered, "Was it a break-in, or did someone smash the window because they locked the keys in the car?"

At 19 Mile Brook there was a car with the window smashed and no one was around, I guess it was safe to assume that was a break in.

We did a sunset trip to the Sugarloafs once and when we came down there was a bunch of kids hanging in the parking area, no hiking or camping gear. I think we may have averted something there. I should have reported it.

I guess the only safe thing safe to do is to leave nothing in the car, the glove box open and the doors unlocked. Not always possible, I know.

KDT

 

[Trudy]

I guess the only safe thing safe to do is to leave nothing in the car, the glove box open and the doors unlocked. Not always possible, I know.KDT

I would leave my car unlocked, but since it's a not an automatic I have a nagging question: Would I return to find it pushed into a tree or down a bank? I know, the steering column does lock up once you start to roll, but still...

 

[Tim Seaver]

There have been numerous break-ins at Appalachia - my take is that it is fine during the day, but forget about it at night, even just slightly after dark. The long stretches of highway give banditos plenty of time to do quick smash-and-grabs and still have plenty of getaway time - same for the Zealand lot.

 

[DreamFarmer]

Thank you all , very much.

I am so looking forward to getting to know "the Whites".

 

[Jay H]

When I ran the TBS hike to do the Presi traverse, not including bail out spots, we all parked at the Highland Center w/o a problem. My first pressie traverse, I did Clinton (pierce) and then down via the Crawford Path because of the rains but the actual TBS presi traverse hike, I did the full traverse, down to Webster and jackson and out the Webster Jackson trail. This included a very short road walk back to the Highland Center which wasn't too bad or long. We did a north to south traverse too, and I think we started at Appalachia for the trail that goes right to the Madison Hut (I forget the trail name but it's probably the easiest way to get to Madison... valley way I think the trail was)

Jay

 

[RoySwkr]

I would leave my car unlocked, but since it's a not an automatic I have a nagging question: Would I return to find it pushed into a tree or down a bank? I know, the steering column does lock up once you start to roll, but still...

Crank the wheel all the way to one side or the other until it clicks, it will be locked in that position until you insert the key. I can nearly always find a place where with the wheels canted at that angle, the car won't roll very far.

Try this at home the first time because with the wheel locked like that you can't turn the key in the ignition. You need to jiggle the wheel with one hand and the key with the other to unlock it, and it's best not to experiment when you're tired after a hike.

 

[Ed'n Lauky]

My take on Highland center is that they really don't want to hassle anyone. If the lot is relatively empty and the car is parked at the far end I don't think they pay much attention. However, if their paying customers were having a problem finding a place to park they might have to take some action.

 

[Mike P.]

Does anyone have the High School graduation dates for towns near the Whites?

During the school year my guess is break ins are more of a Friday night Saturday night thing. Graduation evening post organized parties & alcohol may need to teenage mayhem

I'm planning on doing the traverse this year on Flag Day 6/14. I suppose if you stay at Shapleigh the night before, you could leave your a car at HC & then drive to Appalachia (providing you are going N to S) It's not as convenient as staying in Gorham but the car spotting is taken care of at least.