Creating views with a chainsaw

[dvbl]

Having recently read a trip report about Mt Hale and its limited summit views, I was wondering if the following has ever been considered. Maybe cut down a few trees on summits such as Hale in order to create some views to draw hikers there. Not talking about clear-cutting a swath that would be visible from miles away to create 360 degree views; just talking about 10-15 trees to create views in the most pleasant (?) direction. This would be done for the sole purpose of diverting some of the heavy traffic (and all its associated problems) from Franconia Loop and Crawford Path and other (over?) crowded trails. IIRC, part of the reason for the 4k'er list was to encourage people to get off the hiking "highways" and on to some of the more remote and less traveled peaks. Lots of hikers hike for the views from the top (shameless plug) and not the list, so maybe having views on Hale and other wooded summits might help. Basically sacrifice a few dozen trees for the greater good of the national forest. Maybe just do it to one or two peaks on a trial basis to see if there's any effect. This is no doubt a repugnant idea to many readers (to be honest, I feel a slight dry heave approaching). I'm not sure I would endorse this idea if it came to a vote. Just wondering.

 

[David Metsky]

I'm sure it's been considered, but it will never happen unless there is a massive change in environmental policy. We're trying to encourage trees to grow back, remember?

And it would never have an impact on the crowds on Franconia Ridge. They're always going to be there, nothing you do elsewhere will ever change that. I don't really see the problem you are trying to solve, and if I agreed that this was a problem, your proposed solution is the absolute wrong approach.

-dave-

 

[WhiteMTHike]

When I've hiked Hale I just climbed on the cairn to get a better view. Works for me.

 

[Quietman]

Views have been cleared on smaller mountains(was on Mt. Skatutakee in SW NH on Saturday) and I really enjoyed the views at the cost of a few trees. After all, this was all pasture 100 years ago. I realize that this is not the same situation in the Whites.

As for redistribution of crowds, if it was a problem, I'm currious why you feel that this would be the absolute wrong approach?

 

[sapblatt]

If I recall, Hale used to have a view and Tom did not - know things have reversed...growth and blowdowns...
Agree with Dave - even a great view from Mount Hale would not deter the throngs from FR and George...the above treeline views always keep them coming - there are a lot of great places to go that do not get that kind of traffic.

 

[gaiagirl]

Quietman,

Skatutakee is a great little mountain! Last time I was up there I worked at the Harris Center for Conservation Education (the only trails I know of are on Harris Center property) while in Grad School at Antioch. We hiked up on the Solstice of 1998 and saw bobcat tracks along the way!! I remember views being nearly perfect then, but a lot can change in a short time.

I'm not really sure how I feel about this issue in the Whites. My impulse is usually to let Nature have her way, but I have no problem with trimming and cutting a bit here and there to open things up a bit.

 

[hikerfast]

The idea of the powers that be keeping some formerly open summits trimmed has certainly crossed my mind. It would be a dull world if all the summits and viewpoints became overgrown. Very interesting question you bring up here.

 

[giggy]

I think I can speak to this. Some (most?) people hike the prezzies, FR, etc.. becuase they are the highest, and they have somewhat sustained above treeline, alpine zone, ridges, etc.. they basically have "mountain" features.

I will get flack for this statement from the hordes, but I don't care: stuff like zealand, hale, north twin, etc.. - they are basically hills IMO, (yes - I know we call them mountains, butt.... - not saying they aren't good hikes - they surely are - but I think "most non list" people are drawn to the bigger ones for the mountain terrain, views, exposure, etc..

if someone cut views into zealand or hale, I can't see myself going there more. In fact, I am not sure what cutting trees for views would accomplish. There are plenty of places in the NE with VFTT.

 

[jmegillon149]

hale once had a view from a tower. building a new one would be more feasible than cutting a view out.

 

[Woody]

I recall being at Imp shelter and speaking with the caretaker as we were both sitting on the bench watching the spectacular sunset. There is (was in 2004 at least) an obviously cut down tree right in front of the bench which helped to improve the view. The caretaker at the time told me that a previous caretaker had cut the tree to improve the view and then lost his job with the AMC because of it. I for one appreciated that the tree was not there to obscure my view. I wouldn't approve of any large cutting programs, but this one "pruning" was appreciated.

 

[MattC]

FWIW:

Over here in New York, there are places our Dept. of Environmental Conservation has manufactured a view. For instance, Huntersfield Mt., a non-list Catskill peak in a state forest outside the Catskill Park boundary. That little peak also has a leanto nearly right at the top. While all this might encourage a little more use, Huntersfield is not exactly overun with hikers, while Slide, Hunter, Overlook, etc. remain popular. Of course, Catskill crowds haven't really become a problem on par w/ the Presidentials or say, the ADK High Peaks. One interesting thing in the Catskills. The tallest peak, Slide, is slowly losing it's summit view as the trees grow taller.

Matt

 

[Jazzbo]

In favor of maintaining and creating views

I'm in favor of creating view ledges. There's plenty of forest acreage now a days. We can afford to create a few more view ledges for the enjoyment of the people.

When visiting Cardigan I love to spend some time reading the old Appalachia's they have in their library there. I remember one very interesting article published by one of the great trail blazers of the AMC (whose name I can't recall unfortunately) describing how he lead parties on bushwacks to Passaconaway and experimenting with different approaches etc. They eventually settled on a route that passed by what is Camp Rich. The report described how they and the axman who they always traveled with cleared a view creating what he described as sublime view of the lakes region. Now when you visit Camp Rich all you see are spruce, but you can tell there's a view out there.

There are plenty of summits that have potential view ledges that would benefit from a bit of judicious cutting back and should be maintained as such. In the same vein there are plenty of summits like Hancocks whose view ledges are steadily shrinking and would benefit from a bit of cutting back. How you'd go about accomplishing such modification to current managment practices is beyond me. Probably very complicated process I'm sure.

The lower the profile the property, the easier it would be. I know of one view ledge along the Wapack Trail that was intentionally created by the maintainers no doubt with approval from the land owners. The open summits of the Wapack are all growing in from their original condition as former summer pastures for livestock.

Of course mother nature has a say in this... She might decide it's time to create another slide or blowdown patch or spruce wave. Mother Nature doesn't have to concern herself with hiding the slash either. The idea of towers is good too. Doesn't have to be as big as one on Carraigin.

 

[Stan]

I don't think there'll ever be a rush to create views on various peaks but I can see where it might be considered as part of a work plan for maintaining certain trails. After all, we defend viewsheds as desireable so why not create or restore some vantage points?

Such an effort could help generate support for the natural environment as more people are drawn to easier destinations or achieve a breathtaking reward for the effort in the form of a view. At least, that's consistent with AMC's logic and it certainly seems to have worked in support of their mission.

The selection of what is to be cleared or pruned would need to take into consideration the impact on soils, erosion, habitat and biological diversity but I think selective cutting could be done with negligible impact in many locations.

 

[dr_wu002]

It seems pretty lame to me. I guess it's not a surprise coming from our self-centered culture. What, no view? Why did I bother doing this peak?

One of the things I love about hiking is you can find a good view from just about any peak. You just might have to work for it. Americans are so lazy. Just go find the views, you don't have to make them yourself.

-Dr. Wu

 

[Peakbagr]

Part of the charm and fun of bushwhacking is looking to see if the summit, bump, or ridge has a view.
On trailed peaks, the internet or guide books can tell you if there is a view.

In my view, go climb another peak with a view if the one your planning on doesn't have one. There is enough manmade intrusions on our peaks and trails. Why have view-cutting be another?

 

[lumberzac]

I’m in favor of letting nature decide. As some views grow in, other new views will form as trees die and are knocked over by wind and water.

 

[Rik]

I always carry a chainsaw when I hike. This way I just put a view in wherever I like. Maybe I can figure out a way to remove clouds too so that it is always sunny when I hike. Come to think of it, could we get rid of mud and bugs too? And this walking uphill thing is getting old. I think maybe heli-hiking is the way to go. Just get dropped off on top, enjoy lunch and a view, and walk down.




Actually, I agree with Wu, PB, and Zac. There are plenty of views out there already so it seems selfish to me to want a view wherever we want one.

 

[expat]

What's the difference?

What's the difference between a view and a trail, or a cairn, or a hut? They're all man-made features that "enhance" a hiking experience. Why is cutting a tree for a view any worse than cutting a tree for a trail, or to build a hut or a leanto. I think I actually consider huts to be less worthy than views.

 

[RoySwkr]

I watched views being cut on Skat., and the same guy cut views on other HC trails. As someone said, it's a hiker enhancement like a trail.

Brad Washburn said that the FS gave him flack for cutting a few trees for an instrument station for his Mt Washington map, after he calculated how many trees they had cut to build the nearby trail they backed off.

There are many created views on the A.T., Greylock view just N of County Road VT for example. Of course these have to go through a bureaucratic planning process first which would not pass muster in Wilderness but might elsewhere.

 

[TDawg]

I'm with lumberzac, let nature decide.

The only place I've see this done is on the Gorge Brook Trail up Moosilauke (Dartmouth land), where a view looked be to be created looking south to Carr Mtn, Stinson, Kineo, etc.... I think it's the first view you get ascending Moose this way. Although the view is nice, and appreciated, I don't know about doing it else where.

A side note, I was pretty satisfied with the view from Hale from atop the cairn.