Muir Woods policy change

[Drew Wiley]

I haven't been in the front entrance of Muir Woods for over two decades, having numerous quieter options in the redwoods, but it is a spot
popular with photographers visiting the SF area. They're going to phase in a prepaid reservation system not only for entering the park, but
even for parking along the entire road between Hwy 1 and the summit grade. Unfortunately, that will also impact use of trails branching out
elsewhere for Muir Woods, but it's the best kind of compromise they seem to be able to get to control traffic, road hazard, and avoid any
new parking lots which might compromise places like Muir Beach.

[Sirius Glass]

Sometimes the best way to keep a wildlife area open for the public is to restrict access for the public for the good of the area.

[Drew Wiley]

It has gotten downright insane. Up to a thousand cars a day in the summer, people parking up to a mile away and walking in herds down the middle of the road,
even on blind curves. Long overdo.

[Sirius Glass]

It has gotten downright insane. Up to a thousand cars a day in the summer, people parking up to a mile away and walking in herds down the middle of the road,
even on blind curves. Long overdo.

Many of them starring at their phones texting as they walk oblivious to anything or anyone around them. Mind totally detached.

For a grin look at this:

http://www.theweek.co.uk/64328/selfie-deaths-five-people-who-died-taking-a-selfie

[Drew Wiley]

I don't think even you realize just how "bingo" that statement was. Literally a lot of young SF software geeks that can design a Smartphone app, but apparently aren't otherwise very smart themselves. And some of the drivers of tour buses in that part of the world seem to have worse distance vision than a warthog and
even more unpredictable manners, so not a good mix!

[Sirius Glass]

Oh, I realize. When I was in Paris France this May I got tired of dodging the @$$H0les and stopped moving out of the way. Once I stood my ground and braced myself and the jerk who ended up sitting on his ass. After that for a couple of minutes people paid attention to me. :)

[Drew Wiley]

Less than humorous, but one of our workers here was killed by an Amtrack train on the adjacent tracks walking from the bus stop, texting and with his ears covered with a music device. It's happened to neighborhoods shoppers several times since, for the same reason.

[Sirius Glass]

136696

[Graham Patterson]

Just for curiosity, I looked up the transit options for me to get there (I live across the bay). 3 hours as of now, on a Saturday, and that is using a mix of BART and bus. Driving, under an hour, plus who knows how long to park... There is no way the infrastructure in southern Marin County is going to expand to support more traffic - between the parks, the watershed, and the local residents, there is not much flexibility. And there is no denying that too many feet are more than the these places can stand.

[Bill_1856]

The best way would be to refuse admission to everyone from California.

[dsphotog]

The best way would be to refuse admission to everyone from California.

Or refuse ALL entry INTO California... Retroactive about 10 years.

[Sirius Glass]

Or refuse ALL entry INTO California... Retroactive about 10 years.

Done during the Dust Bowl days to turn back the Oakies.

[dsphotog]

Just to clarify, I didn't mean to discriminate any particular group... Except maybe politicians.

All joking aside, on busy days, I've seen Point Lobos close the gate when the quota of cars have entered, a line forms, and when one car leaves, another is allowed in.

[Vaughn]

Better to go to the real redwoods up the coast a couple hundred miles anyway...:cool:

[Kirk Fry]

Muir Woods is vastly overrated. Try Big Basin, the first trees the Sierra Club saved and it is probably easier to get to.

[Nodda Duma]

When we lived in California, we'd go up to the trail of 100 giants north of Kernville. Way less crowded than the Muir Woods sound like. But it's also more remote unless you live near there like we did. The whole drive was scenic. Wife and I got married on the banks of the Kern River up there. Wish I had a better photography skills back then ;)

[Vaughn]

Different genus of trees in Kernville from those on the coast. An apples and oranges sort of thing.

[Tin Can]

Last time I was in Muir Woods and similar areas, there was a huge population of seemingly homeless people living behind every tree.

It was 1969, is that still the situation?

[Nodda Duma]

Different genus of trees in Kernville from those on the coast. An apples and oranges sort of thing.

Well, big trees are big trees and they are all awesome when you live in the desert like we did.

[Vaughn]

Well, big trees are big trees and they are all awesome when you live in the desert like we did.

So true!

[Drew Wiley]

We already require a passport from anyone trying to come over the Altamont Pass from the Central Valley. People Like John K. juest sneak
over Pacheco Pass from Fresno and then up Hwy 1 and then tries to blend in. Seeing those folks shiver on the beach or in the woods is a dead giveaway, however. They're not used to that fifty degree drop in heat. Sad to see them suffering and no longer being able to fry an egg on
the sidewalk.

[Drew Wiley]

I don't recall anybody homeless around there in memory. It's been protected park for a long long time, along with adjacent Mt Tam. Bolinas
was a hippie hangout from awhile. The last of them got netted by agents of the Smithsonian well over a decade ago and taxidermied for a
60's diorama. I had just come back from the trail when the most infamous of them all - an enormous lady in a tie-dyed mumu escaped the
DEA raid on her little Victorian there. Saw the whole thing. They were getting inordinately successful as a handmade wallpaper business. Funny
how certain colored ink formations on little rubber stamps can up the value of a square foot of wallpaper about 10,000%.

[Tin Can]

In '69 it was a combo of folks, more than a few were Vets I believe.

The next year I went to college that had a Vet rehab center and wised up.

It's often the little things that help.

[Drew Wiley]

In the early 60's developers still had their sights on all the Marin headlands. Then, at the other extreme, the last big illegal pot operation was
busted back on the hill behind Bolinas a few years ago near a trail so overgrown that nobody goes there (except me, it seems - there are a lot
of delicious feral cherry plum trees that way, which I was filling a sack with last week). The various park agencies, including NPS, have done
an excellent job of taking care of the entire peninsula, including adjacent Pt Reyes - with a couple of exceptions - spray paint taggers and
Muir Woods overcrowding. Bolinas is now gentrified. Some friends of mine rented the old Jefferson Airplane digs there for a birthday party a
couple years ago, with its stunning multimillion-dollar swimming pool. But otherwise, unless someone told you who first built it, you'd never know. Janis Joplin's digs here in town are a different subject - entering that particular mansion is like walking inside Salvador Dali's head.