Talked to a ranger in the White Mountains who said the old Appalachian Trail reroute around Mount Washington was better for wildlife, got me thinking.

3 comments

3 Comments

That's a cool thing to hear from a ranger. My only wildlife expertise comes from trying to keep squirrels off my bird feeder, which I'm failing at miserably. I'd love to know what specific animals did better with the old route.

robinl901mo agoTop Commenter

Got to say, squirrels are basically furry little ninjas, so don't feel bad. But you asked a good question. The old route was a lot better for animals that need to move slowly or can't climb fences, like box turtles or some toads. Deer used it a bunch too, since it was a wider, more open path through the woods. Changing it basically put up a big "road closed" sign for them.

nina8349d ago

I mean, "road closed" for animals? That feels a little dramatic, @robinl90. It's a trail, not a highway. I get that turtles and toads might have to find a new way, but they've been doing that for centuries. I feel like animals are way more adaptable than we give them credit for. Let's not act like we just shut down the interstate for the local wildlife.