What (Or Who) Annoys You The Most While Hiking?

[Linda Frank]

What trail interactions can mar an otherwise enjoyable hike for you?  Aside from blazes that aren't where they're supposed to be (or there at all); maps that don't correspond w/the actual trail itself; a weatherperson who totally misinterpreted the forecast before you headed out on what was originally predicted to be a sunny, rain-free day;  and other aspects specifically related to actual trail conditions... what irks you, bothers you, annoys you, etc. about other trail encounters?

Not necessarily in order of "annoyance priority", here's some of mine:

1. Mountain bikers/ATV'ers who use, abuse & ruin trails specifically designated for hikers only;
2. Dogs not on leashes.  (Be it known that I am more than just a casual animal lover.  "Avid" more describes me.  So it isn't the dog I fault. As is usually the case, it's the animal's person. While the person may know their animal is friendly, an approaching hiker maneuvering a precarious incline hasn't a clue about the animal's disposition; 
3. Unless they're groups of scouts, campers or coordinated nature groups, it's screaming, unruly children along for a weekend jaunt w/Mom and or Dad.  Kids who drop & leave debris, destroy trailside flora, throw rocks off cliffs, block said cliff walks while others are trying to maneuver up or downhill. Unlike in the case of unleashed dogs, w/kids like these I do tend to cast more blame directly toward the kids in this scenario.  However, the real & majority fault still lies once again with - you guessed it - the allegedly supervising adult.
4. People carrying on casual cell phone conversations w/their speakers turned up so every chipmunk in the forest can hear what the person on the other end of the line is saying too.

There's more, I'm sure.  But right now they escape me.  Having said all that, however, I've got to add that ever since I started hiking and at no other time or place in my life, have I've ever met a more friendly, helpful, conscientious, considerate and respectful (both of others and of nature) group of people than sister/fellow hikers. 

Linda

"To Live Is Not Just to Survive, But To Thrive In Beauty, Compassion, Passion & Style " - Maya Angelou

[njHiking.com]

I think you hit on the major issues encountered while hiking. We try to chalk most instances up to inexperience and not really knowing trail etiquette.

Dawn

[Daniela Wagstaff]

Litter. There is no excuse for littering. If you can carry it in full, you can carry it out empty.

[William and Marieann Bannan]

Litter drives me nuts, I find it hard to believe that people can be that disrespectful to others hiking the area. I've done a few hikes where you actually seem to pass the local party areas and there is just litter everywhere (Maurice River Bluffs comes to mind). It can actually ruin a beautiful scene. (sorry for the rant...)

[Linda Frank]

Oddly (and thankfully) enough, I've not encountered too much litter on trails...unless those trails meander closer to more populated areas. Not that I still haven't seen some in even the most desolated areas. But I can always tell when a trail is nearing those more urban areas by the increase & frequency of litter even before I can hear the far-off din of traffic noises or see houses through the trees.

As far as some of the issues I mentioned being more often than not chalked up to inexperienced hikers or trail users, my tolerance level for ATV'ers/mountain bikers, for example, who use & abuse "hiker only" trails is next to nil because I truly believe the majority of them are not the least bit ignorant of a trail's proper usage. All one has to do is check out some of the ATV or mountain bike websites to 'listen in' on conversations about how easy it is to use hiker-only trails if you go at certain times and that even if someone stops you (as I've done several times) there's little or nothing you can do to stop or report them.

And the Dogs On Leashes? Just last week we did Pyramid Mtn./Tripod Rocks. While at the Visitor's Center we overheard the ranger on duty instructing two women (who readily admitted they were experienced hikers but new to this area), about not only what trail routes they might take but what might best suit their dog, who was visible sitting in their car outside. She reminded them - several times - to make sure he was leashed. Not just for the safety of other hikers, but for the dog's safety especially because there was very recent bear activity reported on the trails.

Later that afternoon, we passed them - and their big black dog who, ironically looked just like a little bear cub - and sure enough, he was bounding about 10 feet ahead of them. Unleashed. We use trekking poles and the dog may have seen my husband's poles as threatening because he ran up to him and pushed him. Maybe just a greeting. Don't know. Mind you we totally & absolutely love animals and always stop to greet them along the way. Leashed or unleashed. But this was just one example of people knowing full well the rules & regs, allegedly caring for their animal, and yet putting not only other hikers in jeopardy but their animal as well. After all, a bear may run or shy from a human, but as the ranger warned them, it will look at the dog as either a threat or a quick lunch.

And for loud two-way cell phone talkers? On this very same hike last Saturday, not just one semi-conference call, but two on different trails. Nothing like trying to enjoy the peace & tranquility of a running brook or small waterfall only to have someone yakking so loud on their cell phones because they can't hear themselves talk or the person on the other end due to (what they apparently consider) the "intrusive noise" of that pesky, ole waterfall disturbing their conversation. Ugh!

I'd use ear plugs but then I'd miss the true sounds of the woods & trails and nature in general which are my reasons for being there in the first place. :)

[William and Marieann Bannan]

I think since I mostly hike mid-week (my days off) I don't run into as many hikers as you do on the weekend, so I have been very lucky as far as the cell-phone talkers go. Sometimes I think mid-week is the best time to go.

[Linda Frank]

Unfortunately, now we're relegated to weekend hikes and the occasional Monday vacation day taken to make it a 3-day weekend. Yes, it's amazing the "difference a day makes" when it comes to more solitude on the trails.

Right now we're getting a little bummed because the increasing threats of inclement weather is hindering even a single Sat. or Sun. hike within doable driving distances from us. I'm not a big fan of traversing ice. :(

However, if & when there's significant snow coverage, we look forward to taking advantage of our early Christmas presents to each other: Snowshoes! I'm really excited & enthused about (hopefully) being able to extend our hiking season w/them.

[njHiking.com]

Mid-week is helpful but hard for most to manage, and hunting season makes mid-week tough as well. We find an early start on weekends helps a lot in avoiding annoyances. That, and willing to hike "off-season" in the cold.

And if anyone would like to report illegal motorized vehicle use when you see it, you can use the NJDEP Hotline at 877-927-6337 (this number provided by Bob in this forum). Also, the NY NJ Trail Conference has a page where you can post a report and photo of illegal trail usage: http://www.nynjtc.org/webform/illegal-usage-problem-report