6 



and those from the north were coming from Mt. Washington and 

 nearby Lakes of the Clouds (Fig. 4). More hikers came from the south 

 on the Appalachian Trail (59.0%) than in any other direction. But, 

 hikers coming from the north (38.8%) trespassed 4 times more than 

 those coming from the south. Those from the north seemed to have 

 more time and interest in wandering about. The classification 

 "other" was applied to hikers (2.2%) on two closed trial segments, 

 both of which lead directly into the Robbins cinquefoil habitat. The 

 rates of trespass among the three classes differed significantly 

 (p< 0.0005). 



Hiker age is an inexact classification. We estimated age by 

 observing physical activity, facial characteristics, etc. and classi- 

 fied individuals as children, teenagers, young adults, middle adults, 

 and older adults. We found that young adults are by far the largest 

 class of hikers (55.4%), and middle-aged adults were a distant second 

 (24.0%) (Fig. 5). Children and teenagers were 9.1 percent and 8.2 

 percent, respectively, and older adults represented only 3.3 percent 

 of the hiker population. Teenagers had the lowest trespass 

 percentage (5.1%), and children and older adults had the highest 

 (13.6% and 13.8%). These differences were significant (p< 0.005). 

 Trespass by children seemed to be related to an abundance of 

 energy and less discipline than other hikers. Many older adults 

 seemed to be plant lovers who were aware of Robbins cinquefoil and 

 wanted to physically observe, study, or photograph it. 



Reasons or motives for hiker trespass varied widely (Fig. 6). The 

 largest single group was there to see the Robbins cinquefoil (30.4%). 

 An additional 4.1 percent had a specific interest in the physical 

 habitat or other plants growing there. Thus, roughly one-third of the 

 trespassers were there deliberately to view or enjoy Robbins 

 cinquefoil and other unique aspects of the habitat. However, nearly 

 two-thirds of all trespassers were present by accident or fate, 

 because they happened onto the habitat as they walked on the 

 Appalachian Trail. 



DISCUSSION 



With this study completed, we now have an estimate of the total 

 hiker population (7,535) at and trespassing (755) on the Robbins 

 cinquefoil habitat. We know one-third of the trespassers are plant 

 lovers and that in June around noon or in the evening they are most 

 likely to be there. 



We have a rough profile of typical trespassers: they travel from 

 the north without a pack. If it is June and the hiker is an older adult, 

 there is a 75 percent chance that trespass will occur. In June, 51 



