Systematic Observation of Use Levels, Campsite Selection and Visitor Characteristics at a High Mountain Lake

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The behavior of camping parties around Island Lake in the Bridger Wilderness was observed for 33 days during the summer of 1974. One-hundred and five parties for a total of 339 people camped at the 61 identified sites around this lake during the study period. The visitors were in groups of family and friends, usually arriving between two and four in the afternoon; 21 percent were classified as climbers, 31 percent as fishers and 47 percent as hikers. Of 12 characteristics of campsites which were evaluated, only an overall attractiveness rating meaningfully predicted use (r =.31, p <.05). Site preference was based on the structural needs of the party such as size, activity and method of cooking. Over 90 percent of those parties arriving at Island Lake found other parties camped there ahead of them, and over a quarter found five to right other groups. Campers who were rated as experienced tended to select sites further from the nearest visible site and further from all occupied sites than inexperienced campers. The observation data provide use level baselines with which other settings can be compared.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: