Opportunity at Trail of 100 Giants

Opportunity at Trail of 100 Giants
SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST

The Trail of 100 Giants, located on the Western Divide Ranger District in Giant Sequoia National Monument, is one of the most popular recreation sites in the Sequoia National Forest. People from all over the world visit the trail each summer, an estimated 5,000 people per week. A problem currently exists with parking at the Trail of 100 Giants. A typical weekend day will average 300 vehicles, many unable to find a place to park in the current 30 limited spaces amongst trailhead parking and parking at Redwood Meadow Campground. Visitors are often forced to illegally park along the Western Divide Highway, causing a safety concern. Additionally, those parking in the lot are often boxed in by other cars looking for a parking space, creating an issue for those wanting to leave.

To increase safety and improve visitor experience, the Forest Service is exploring ways to make some changes to address this safety problem. “We have a need for increased parking for the Trail, and I am looking for public input to help us figure out how to address this need,” stated District Ranger Priscilla Summers. “We estimate the need for approximately 100 designated parking spaces to meet the existing demand.” District officials are still in the brainstorming phase of this project, and are asking for your input. We have scheduled a public meeting on Wednesday September 21st from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Porterville Supervisors Office located at 1839 South Newcomb in Porterville. Please come prepared to help us address this safety problem.

Additional recreation projects on the District being considered include; replacing the existing single pit bathroom at Forks of the Kern Trailhead with a new double bathroom, and adding a double bathroom, information board, and improved access at the Bush Loop Trailhead. If you are unable to attend the meeting, or would rather submit your comment in writing please send your thoughts and comments regarding any of these projects to: Anne Thomas, Planner, at mariannethomas@fs.fed.us or mail in your comments to Attn: Anne Thomas, Western Divide Ranger District, 32588 Highway 190, Springville, CA 93265 no later than September 23, 2011.

Some interesting use of words in this announcement.

Quote
eeek
Opportunity at Trail of 100 Giants
SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST

The Trail of 100 Giants, located on the Western Divide Ranger District in Giant Sequoia National Monument, is one of the most popular recreation sites in the Sequoia National Forest. People from all over the world visit the trail each summer, an estimated 5,000 people per week. A problem currently exists with parking at the Trail of 100 Giants. A typical weekend day will average 300 vehicles, many unable to find a place to park in the current 30 limited spaces amongst trailhead parking and parking at Redwood Meadow Campground. Visitors are often forced to illegally park along the Western Divide Highway, causing a safety concern. Additionally, those parking in the lot are often boxed in by other cars looking for a parking space, creating an issue for those wanting to leave.

Vistors are "forced" to park illegally? Is someone pointing a gun to their head and stating they must park illegally or else?

Quote

To increase safety and improve visitor experience, the Forest Service is exploring ways to make some changes to address this safety problem. “We have a need for increased parking for the Trail, and I am looking for public input to help us figure out how to address this need,” stated District Ranger Priscilla Summers. “We estimate the need for approximately 100 designated parking spaces to meet the existing demand.”

Huh? The first paragraph states that a typical weekend day will average 300 vehicles, yet the last paragraph states only 100 designated parking spaces are needed to meet the existing demand. Somehow that doesn't quite compute in my head, unless the trailhead averages no more than 100 vehicles parked nearby at any one time. If it's like most other day use areas, my assumption is that the bulk of the people visiting the area will be parked there sometime around 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. And if the Trail of 100 Giants trailhead averages about 300 vehicles per day, that over 100 vehicles would be needing a parking spot between 12:00 noon and 2:00 PM, the peak day use hours.

RE: plawrence's queries

A) Yes.
B) Correct.