NPS Bundle - Three Wilderness and Backcountry Studies: Yosemite, Olympic and Kenai Fjords National Parks

NOTE: For the purposes of this review and submission the justifications for each question or section of
questions is highlighted in a shaded text box above each question. These text boxes will not be printed
on the final version of the surveys. The Topic Areas noted are consistent with the currently approved
pool questions for the NPS Programmatic Review Process (1024-0224 – expiration date 8-31-2014). The
questions that are slight variations are denoted as such.

Yosemite Wilderness Study
SECTION 1: These questions ask about your present Yosemite wilderness trip characteristics
TOPIC AREA 1: GR3
1. On this visit to Yosemite wilderness, how many people were in your group, including yourself?
Number of people in your personal group
TOPIC AREA 3: TRIPC11
2. On this visit to Yosemite Wilderness, how long did you and your personal group spend visiting the
wilderness? (Please list partial hours or days as 1/4, 1/2, ¾)
Number of hours if less than 24 hours
OR
Number of days if 24 hours or more
TOPIC AREA 1: GR5 (Variation: Modified to specify “in wilderness”)
3. On this visit to Yosemite wilderness, what kind of personal group (not guided tour/school group)
were you with? Please mark (•) only one.
O
O

Alone
Friends

O

Other (Please specify:

O
O

Family
Family and friends
)

TOPIC AREA 2: TPLAN5 (Variation: Modified to specify “in wilderness”)
4. How did this visit to Yosemite Wilderness fit into your personal group’s travel in the park overall?
Please mark (•)one.
O Designated Wilderness was primary destination in the park
O Designated Wilderness was one of several destinations in the park
O Designated Wilderness was not a planned destination in the park
O Don’t know

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TOPIC AREA 1: GR6; adapted to add outfitter/guide
5. On this visit, were you and your personal group with the following type of groups?
Outfitted and/or Guided group
School/educational group
Other organized group (such as business group,
Scout group, etc.)

O
O
O

Yes
Yes
Yes

O
O
O

No
No
No

TOPIC AREA 3: TRANS6 (Variation)
6. How did you travel during this trip? Please mark (•) only one.
 Foot – carrying own gear
 Foot – with stock support (“drop camp”)
 Riding stock (ie. horses and mules)
TOPIC AREA 3: ACT18
7. On this visit to Yosemite wilderness, what activities did you and/or your group participate in?
Which of these activities did you participate in? Please mark (•) all that apply












Fishing
Hiking on trails
Speed hiking/”fast packing”
Hiking in a trail-less area (i.e. cross-country)
Technical mountain climbing (i.e. using ropes and special gear)
Non-technical mountain climbing (i.e. without ropes and special gear)
Trail running
Swimming/water play
Wildlife viewing/bird watching
Self-reflection/meditation
Other (please specify):

TOPIC AREA 4: PREF1 and PREF 2 (Variation: modified to add ‘actual experience’ and wildernessspecific items)
8. Below is a list of possible experiences you may want (prefer) to have while visiting Yosemite
wilderness. For each item please indicate how important the experience was to you on your
wilderness visit AND how much you actually experienced it on this trip. (Circle two numbers for each
item.)

Somewhat

Slightly

Somewhat

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

To experience solitude

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

y
Not at all

y

Very much

Slightly

To experience a sense of freedom

Moderatel

Not at all

Moderately

How much were you seeking it? How much did you experience it?

2

Exercise

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

To be close to nature

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

Mental relaxation

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

To experience wilderness
opportunities
To have a feeling of remoteness

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

To have a sense of physical
challenge
To spend time with friends or
family

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

To have a sense that the
surroundings haven’t been
impacted by people
To have a sense of being away
from the modern world

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

To be alone

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

To feel independence

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

To be in a place that is quiet

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

To have unconfined recreation,
free from rules and regulations
To be self-reliant

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

SECTION 2: These questions ask you to describe the type of social conditions you encountered during
this wilderness trip.
TOPIC AREA 5: CROWD15
9. About how many hiking groups did you see per day while you were traveling on the trails during
your wilderness trip? (Enter a question mark “?” if you don’t remember)
# of hiking groups per day while in the wilderness:
OR
O Did not see any hiking groups
TOPIC AREA 5: CROWD15 (Variation)
10. About how many groups did you see riding horses or mules (stock animals) per day while you were
traveling on the trails during your wilderness trip? (Enter a question mark “?” if you don’t
remember)
# of stock-using groups per day while in the wilderness:
OR
O Did not see any stock-using groups

3

TOPIC AREA 5: CROWD 15 (Variation)
11. While you were in the wilderness, on the busiest day, how many other parties of other visitors
did you see?
groups
How many of these were large parties (say, 10 or more people)?
How many of the parties had horses?
TOPIC AREA 5: CROWD16
12. How many nights were you able to see or hear other visitor groups staying overnight near your
campsite during this overnight backcountry trip? (Enter a question mark “?” if you don’t
remember). If you did not stay overnight in the wilderness, go to Question 12.
Number of nights:

OR

O Did not occur on any night

TOPIC AREA 5: CROWDATT 12 (Variation)
13. If you did camp overnight in the wilderness, what was the maximum number of other groups
camped within sight or sound of your campsite on any night? Where did this occur?
groups

camping location

SECTION 3: These questions ask about how the type of social and environmental conditions you
encountered during this wilderness trip affected your experience.
TOPIC AREA 5: CROWD1
14. Please indicate how crowded you felt in the following locations during this visit to the Yosemite
Wilderness
.
Not at all
Slightly
Moderately
Very
Extremely
crowded
crowded
crowded
crowded
crowded
While traveling on trails
1
2
3
4
5
At destinations (such as lakes
1
2
3
4
5
or viewpoints)
At campsites (if applicable)
1
2
3
4
5

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TOPIC AREA 5: SOUND3, CROWD18
15. The following characteristics of recreational areas can influence the quality of a trip. For each, please
indicate how they affected your wilderness experience on this trip. If you did not notice an item, circle
“nn.”

Slightly

Moderately

Extremely

nn
nn
nn
nn
nn
nn
nn

1
1
1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4
4

nn
nn
nn
nn
nn
nn
nn
nn
nn
nn
nn
nn
nn
nn
nn

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

Did not
Notice

Not at all

How much did it detract from your experience

Noisy groups
Large numbers of day hikers
Large numbers of stock users
Large numbers of backpackers
Trail wear and tear
Rules that restrict where people can camp
Trampled areas where people have camped or
walked
Large groups
Trails that are poorly marked
Inconsiderate behavior by other visitors
Litter left behind by visitors
Area rules/regulations not adequately enforced
Human waste
Too many rules or regulations
Conflict between hikers and stock users
Contact with a wilderness ranger or volunteer
Having to fill out a permit or registration form
Organized groups or outfitted parties
Stock manure on trails
High Sierra Camps
Stock impacts near High Sierra Camps
Trampled areas where stock have bedded or grazed

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SECTION 4: These questions ask about how social conditions in Yosemite Wilderness – on this trip and
other trips – have affected your behavior and experiences.
TOPIC AREA 5: CROWD18
16. Please indicate whether (and if so, how often) you have ever done each of the following in Yosemite
Wilderness.

Visit earlier or later in the
season to avoid seeing other
people
Visit on weekdays to avoid
weekend crowds
Go to trails that are less
crowded
Avoid places that have limits on
the amount of use
Go to other areas where you are
less likely to see other people
Avoid attractions that are
crowded

Ever Done?
No
Yes
No
Yes

Rarely
1

If yes, how often?
Occasionally Often Usually
2
3
4

Always
5

No

Yes

1

2

3

4

5

No

Yes

1

2

3

4

5

No

Yes

1

2

3

4

5

No

Yes

1

2

3

4

5

No

Yes

1

2

3

4

5

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly
Disagree

Even if I see several other people while in Yosemite
Wilderness, I can still experience solitude if there are
extended periods when I see no other people.
Even if I see several other people while in Yosemite
Wilderness, I can still have a sense of being in wilderness
if there are extended periods when I see no other
people.
Even if I see several other people while in Yosemite
Wilderness, I can still have a sense of being in wilderness
if most of the other people I see are near the trailhead
at the beginning and end of my trip

Strongly
Agree

TOPIC AREA 5: CRWDATT6
17. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the following statements
about Yosemite Wilderness. (Circle one number for each item.)

+2

+1

0

-1

-2

+2

+1

0

-1

-2

+2

+1

0

-1

-2

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SECTION 5: This section asks about your attitudes toward management of recreational use in
Yosemite Wilderness.
TOPIC AREA 5: CROWDATT
18. In your opinion what is the maximum number of groups per day that would be acceptable for you to
see in this part of the wilderness? (Please mark (•) only one.)
O The number of other groups I see doesn’t matter to me.
O The number of groups I see matters to me, but I can’t specify a number.
O The maximum number of groups per day in this area should be: (check one)
0-2

4-6

8-10

12-14

16-18

20-22

24-26

28-30

32-34

36-38

39 +























TOPIC AREA 5: CRWDATT1 (Variation)
19. Yosemite wilderness managers must find an appropriate balance between allowing all people to visit
the wilderness when they want and providing opportunities for solitude. In your opinion, which of
the four following options strikes the best balance? (Circle one)
A. Do not restrict use to manage for solitude anywhere, even if use is heavy.
B. Manage for solitude along a few wilderness trails. The number of people allowed to use
these few trails will be limited, but the majority of trails will have no use limits. These trails
without limits may experience higher levels of use over time.
C. Manage for solitude on most wilderness trails, by limiting the number of people using these
trails. A few trails will have unrestricted use. Use levels will increase and be high on these
trails.

TOPIC AREA 5: CRWDATT9 (Variation)
20. Do you feel that a limit is needed on the number of people using this wilderness, recognizing that your own
opportunity to visit this wilderness might be limited in the future? Please mark (•) only one.
O Yes, a limit is needed now to LOWER current use
O Yes, a limit is needed now to HOLD at current use
O No limit is needed now, but should be imposed in the future when overuse occurs
O No limit needed now or in the future

7

Strongly
Favor

Favor

No Opinion

Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

TOPIC AREA 5&6: CRWDATT1 (Variation)
21. If the use of this wilderness was very heavy, and controls on use were being considered, please
indicate how you would feel about each of the following management policies by circling the
appropriate number.

Reduce the number of trails and signs so that only those people
willing to make the effort could visit the area

1

2

0

-1

-2

Promote other low-use destinations in the park to disperse use

1

2

3

4

5

Allow use to continue to increase without controls

1

2

3

4

5

Provide designated backcountry campsites to concentrate resource
impacts from recreation

1

2

3

4

5

Require parking in designated trailhead areas to reduce opportunistic
access to trails

1

2

3

4

5

Neutral

Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

Support

Strongly
Support

TOPIC AREA 6: OPMGMT 11 (Variation)
22. If the use of this wilderness was very heavy, and controls on use were being considered, please
indicate how you would feel about each of the following management policies related to day use by
circling one number for each item.

a. by issuing a limited number of permits on a first- come, firstserved basis
b. by issuing a limited number of permits on drawing (or lottery)
basis

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

c. by issuing a limited number of permits through a mail
reservation system
d. by issuing a number of permits through an online reservation
system

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

Limit the number of DAY visitors in the wilderness area

8

Strongly
Agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly
Disagree

Don’t
know

TOPIC AREA 6: OPMGMT 6 (Variation)
23. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the following statements
concerning management of area-specific activity in NPS site. (Circle one number for each item.)

If people feel crowded, use limits should be imposed

1

2

3

4

5

DK

If visitor-caused resource impacts are high, use limits
should be imposed

1

2

3

4

5

DK

Use limits should never be imposed even if use is high

1

2

3

4

5

DK

If visitors-no longer experience solitude, use limits should
be imposed
More trails should be added to reduce the number of
people seen
The number of trails that allow horseback riding should be
reduced
The number of trails that allow horseback riding should be
increased
The number of trails that allow horseback riding should be
reduced
More trails should be added to reduce the number of
people seen
More trailheads should be added to disperse use away
from busy areas

1

2

3

4

5

DK

1

2

3

4

5

DK

1

2

3

4

5

DK

1

2

3

4

5

DK

1

2

3

4

5

DK

1

2

3

4

5

DK

1

2

3

4

5

DK

Neutral

Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

Support

e. Removing nonnative fish/wildlife species to promote recovery
of native species
f. Removing nonnative plant species to promote recovery of
native species
g. Reintroduction of missing native species using controlled
burns
h. Temporarily closing meadows to promote restoration
i. Temporarily closing riverbanks to promote restoration

Strongly
Support

TOPIC AREA 6: OPMGMT 6 (Variation)
24. Please indicate how you would rate each of the following management interventions to restore
natural conditions in Yosemite wilderness, keeping in mind the park’s limited budget. (Circle one
number for each item.)

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5
9

j. Temporarily closing wilderness campsites to promote
restoration
k. Temporarily closing wilderness locations in the park to
promote landscape level restoration
l. Reducing the facilities provided at High Sierra camps
m. Removing the High Sierra Camps

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5

Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

+2
+2
+2
+2
+2

Doesn’t
Matter

More signs indicating places to camp off the trail
More campsites
Hitching racks
Simple pit toilets
Simple wooden bridges across large rivers

Favor

r

r

TOPIC AREA 6: OPMGMT 6 (Variation)
25. The following is a list of things that might be provided in wilderness areas. Check how you would
feel about each of them in the Yosemite Wilderness. Circle one number for each item.)

+1
+1
+1
+1
+1

0
0
0
0
0

-1
-1
-1
-1
-1

-2
-2
-2
-2
-2

The final questions ask for some information about you, so we can describe the types of people who
visit Yosemite Wilderness.
TOPIC AREA 1: KNOW13
26. How familiar are you with the purposes and characteristics of federally designated Wilderness
areas? Please mark (•) only one.
O
O
O
O

Not at all familiar
Somewhat familiar
Very familiar
Extremely familiar

TOPIC AREA 3: ACT31 (Variation)
27. Since your first wilderness trip, about how often have you gone on wilderness trips (including this
and other wildernesses)? Please mark (•) only one.
O Less than once every 2 years
O Less than once a year
O Once a year

O 2-5 times a year
O 6-10 times a year
O More than 10 times a year

10

TOPIC AREA 3: ACT31 (Variation)
28. How many times have you been to this Yosemite wilderness destination before this trip? Please
mark (•) only one.
O Never. (First trip.)
O 1-2

O 11-20
O More than 20

O 3-5
O 6-10

TOPIC AREA 1: VISITHIS4
29. How many years have you been visiting Yosemite wilderness?
years

OR

O This is my first visit

TOPIC AREA 3: TBACK2
30. About how often have you gone on wilderness trips to any wilderness? Please mark (•) only one.
 More than once a year
 About once a year

 About once every two years
 Less than once every two years

TOPIC AREA 3: ACT 32
31. Including this trip, how many times have you visited the Yosemite Wilderness? Please mark (•) only
one.
1
 2-3
 4-5
 6-8
 9+

TOPIC AREA 1: AGE1
32. What year were you born?
TOPIC AREA 1: GEND1
33. Are you  Male or  Female?
TOPIC AREA 1: ED2
34. What is the highest level of formal education you have completed? Please mark (•) only one.
 Less than high school
 Some high school
High school graduate
 Vocational/trade school certificate
Some college

 Two-year college degree
 Four-year college degree
 Masters Degree
Ph.D., M.D., J.D., or equivalent

11

TOPIC AREA 1: RACE/ETH3
35. What is your race? Please mark (•) one or more.
O American Indian or Alaska Native
O Black or African American
O White

TOPIC AREA 1: RACE/ETH2
36. Are you Hispanic or Latino?
O Yes

O Asian
O Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

O No

TOPIC AREA 1: RACE/ETH2 (modified as previously justified in VSP surveys per empirical CA demo refs)
37. Are you of Middle Eastern or of Arab ancestry/descent?
O Yes
O No
TOPIC AREA 1: RES1
38. Where do you live?
City

State

ZIP

Country (if not US)

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT: 16 U.S.C. 1a-7 authorizes the National Park Service to collect
this information. This information will be used by park managers to address Yosemite wilderness visitors’
perceptions of resource conditions, attitudes toward management, and experience quality. No action may
be taken against you for refusing to supply the information requested. Permanent data will be anonymous.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number and current expiration date.
Burden estimate statement: Public reporting for this form is estimated to average 20 minutes per
response. Direct comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this form to: Bret
Meldrum, Branch Chief, Visitor Use and Social Sciences, Yosemite National Park ,5083 Foresta Road, El
Portal, CA 95318,Phone: 209-379-1216
OMB Control Number 1024-0224
Current Expiration Date: 8-31-2014

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