Year to Year Comparisons of Trail Use
Year to year comparisons of trail use
We looked at data collected in August from three of our trail counter locations and compared results between 2021 and 2022. Our results:
TAYLOR CANYON
2021 Average # of Counter Detections, August 3-9: 104
2022 Average # of Counter Detections, August 3-9: 104
Year over Year Percent Change in total detections, August 3-9: <1% decrease ↓
PIONEER CABIN
2021 Average # of Counter Detections, August 3-12: 87
2022 Average # of Counter Detections, August 3-12: 54
Year over Year Percent Change in total detections, August 3-12: 39% Decrease ↓
MAIN GREENHORN
2021 Average # of Counter Detections, August 14-31: 126
2022 Average # of Counter Detections, August 14-31: 103
Year over Year Percent Change in total detections, August 14-31: 18% Decrease ↓
Given the population growth of both Idaho and Blaine County in the past few years, it’s interesting to see the decrease in trail counter detections from 2021 to 2022.
According to a July, 2022 report generated by Destimetrics/Inntopia and published by Visit Sun Valley, the number of “Room Nights Sold” for lodging/hotels in the Sun Valley area was down 8.6% from 2021 to 2022 for the month of August.
While our 2021 Trail Use Survey showed that full-time residents are some of our trails’ most heavy users, the data here suggests that tourism patterns present a solid indicator for how much activity you might see out on the trails.
What do you think? Did the trails feel a bit more empty this August? Let us know what you think! Email erodrigue@woodrivertrailscoalition.org, Program Coordinator for WRTC’s Trail Monitoring Program, and share your experience.