Trailhead Car Breakins

Sadly, no. Even in the Interior we occasionally have problems with car break-ins, although I’ve never experienced anything like that here. I’d be happy to shuttle backpacking folks to a trailhead or back in my area if time permits (i.e., lots of advance notice). Rental cars are outrageously priced here. I just met a lady who paid $1700 for a 4 day car rental.

It was the same 50 years ago.
Trail heads and fishing hole parking lots have been prime places for thieves since day one.

Things haven’t changed much, except that crime/breakins in or near cities has increased due to drug use.

I use shuttles, uber, hitchhike, friends, etc, to get to and from trail heads. This reduces my worry to almost nothing and my backpacking trip is that much better. You can also change your plans and leave trail from different locations if you want. You do need cell service, or something like an inreach to communicate though.

I’ve contacted uber drivers to see where they go, and talk about pick-up times. I used to do this with taxis, pre arrange a time and place to be picked up.

To a drug user that blanket on the seat means a warmer night on the ground, so they may breakin just for that.

D&D: I’ve never had a break in at an Alaskan Trailhead (or anywhere in the Lower-48, other than in Manhattan).  No problems for me in Homer, Kenai, Cooper Landing, Parks Highway, Denali NP, or the Haul Road through the Brooks Range.  I’ve only parked a few times at Anchorage trailheads and not had a problem but I understand it has been a problem for many people in Anchorage and some radius around Anchorage.

It may be because I buy boring Toyotas and then drive them 200,000 miles over the next 15-20 years so they look old and ratty.

I know it gives new meaning to the term “wildlife”, but has anyone taken a motion-activated wildlife camera and aimed it at their car at a trailhead?  I think the range on the motion sensor is 50-70 feet, far enough to put it away from your car and not be seen.  Or get one disguised as a bird feeder.

No – It won’t help you if your car is broken into, but if the police catch the “wildlife” responsible, word will get out and it will reduce the crime in that location.

Plus, they’ll get a video of me pulling my pants down and adjusting my underwear before I buckle the hip belt.

Or an inside the car cam…

But a regular car alarm might do the trick… no thief want to hear that siren when it goes off… for all they know someone is nearby day or night…

Came back to my vehicle this last weeks trip to find the box of tissues I’d left in the back seat to be all torn and chewed up. Tissues everywhere. Mouse had found its way in. Everything’s fair game at the trailhead apparently. Hasn’t anybody read the Booty Game rules recently!? Parked cars are off limits :)

Leave your car full of trash.

Terran,

Your suggestion makes sense.  If I did a good enough job the thieves might think : “I don’t want anything this guy owns or has touched.”

Fake vomit, blood, diaper full of peanut butter, etc.  Halloween is coming up.  Should be some good items available.

However, this strategy may increase my mouse/critter visitors.

My neighbor decorated his mailbox for Halloween with a mummified zombie holding out a dagger. That was about 3 years ago. It’s still up.

Let me say clean trash. Newspapers and water bottles. Dog hair is a given. Beer cans are good, but it has to be really cheap beer.

You have to look crazier than they are.

Daryl, good suggesion. I will mix the diaper peanut butter with a coupla mini baby ruths.