Originally Posted by
Byron
Yeah, Tom...I can dig it. 5 benjies would certainly be a deterrent. Personally, the only place I've "not paid" is way out in the backcountry of the North Rim, when timing or distance to get "official" is a super pain in the ass. You can waste a whole day and a tank of gas just to give them $30. That's certainly not the case in Zion, but doing the permit "shuffle" does eat up into some precious time...
I can't tell you how many "illegal" backpackers I've run into. You can always tell, they are nervous and sleep in the bushes. I would imagine everyday in Zion people are "going for it" despite the quota. They drove all the way out there and won't be stopped, ya know? I just wonder if they ever park a ranger at the last rappel at Pine Creek or the parking lot at the end of Left fork to check "papers", handing out tickets for non compliance. I've been there dozens of times and never been asked. Oh well, probably shouldn't talk about it at all...like Scott implied. "Let a sleeping dog lie".