Too many heads at the trailhead?

A group travel company is urging travelers to book it to avoid the growing throngs of visitors to the US’s national parks.

National park visitation in 2007 showed a boost of over 3 million visitors above 2006 totals countering several years of gradual decline, says Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA).

“And according to the American Recreation Coalition, park visits are running ahead of last year and are forecasted to continue to increase for years to come partly due to domestic economic factors,” the company says.

ALA, the 23-year-old, multi-sport travel company that specializes in immersive travel experiences, also revealed its Top 10 List of favorite National Park trails in the West.

ALA Director Dan Austin said:

“While it is estimated that fewer than 10 percent of national park visitors venture more than a mile from their vehicle, many popular trails still resemble a freeway at rush hour. Nevertheless, we are willing to take the risk of revealing our favorite, least-frequented trails used on our backcountry excursions.”

The favorite hike was the Kanai Fjords NP, the Harding ice field trail.

“Starting on the valley floor, the trail winds through cottonwood and alder forests, passes though heather filled meadows and ultimately climbs well above tree line to a breathtaking view of an endless expanse of glaciers and ice,” ALA says.

The top ten are available at ALA’s Web site.

Report by David Wilkening