Title:

Wilderness trail encounters in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park: Monitoring data from 2012-2020

Author(s):

McDevitt, Molly C.; Frenzel, Erik A.; Armatas, Christopher A.; Thomsen, Jennifer M.; Mudford, Taylor I.

Publication Year:

2026

How to Cite:

These data were collected using funding from the U.S. Government and can be used without additional permissions or fees. If you use these data in a publication, presentation, or other research product please use the following citation:

McDevitt, Molly C.; Frenzel, Erik A.; Armatas, Christopher A.; Thomsen, Jennifer M.; Mudford, Taylor I. 2026. Wilderness trail encounters in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park: Monitoring data from 2012-2020. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2026-0037

Abstract:

Quantifying the interactions between wilderness visitors is central to both visitor capacity and wilderness character monitoring, as it is commonly selected as the managerial link between visitor capacity, visitor experience, and the “opportunities for solitude or primitive and unconfined recreation” quality of wilderness character. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park (SEKI), in California, has been collecting encounter data (i.e., counts of people encountered while hiking a trial) for several years in support of their solitude-monitoring program. This data publication includes encounter data from 2012 through 2020. Data were collected by park employees and includes several variables including the number of people encountered, weather during the sampling event, length of the sampling event, number of people backpacking and on pack horses, and the direction and mode of travel. Additionally, a file containing more detailed information about the trail segments and spatial elements of the data is also provided along with the original study plan and reports associated with the study. These data provide an opportunity to understand the factors influencing encounter rates, and the data can help managers develop educational opportunities on when and how visitors can best use trails to increase opportunities for solitude.

Keywords:

economy; environment; society; transportation; Environment and People; Inventory, Monitoring, & Analysis; wilderness stewardship planning; nature-based recreation; visitor use management; California; Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park; Franklin Lakes basin; Tulare County

Metrics:

Visit count : 58 0
Download count: 1
More details

Data Access:

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  • RDS-2026-0037_Metadata_Fileindex.zip (15.12 KB; Checksum)
  • RDS-2026-0037.zip (6.26 MB; Checksum)

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