Even 26 years later, the crowds and commotion of a camping trip remain a disagreeable memory

Your feature theme is so misleading [“Let’s Go, Campers,” June 25]. It’s been 26 years since I went camping.

I had not much time to get away from L.A. I went tent camping in Owens Valley, hiking quite a bit up the mountain to get where I was going near the wilderness permit area.

There were so many people I could have been in a shopping mall. Getting away from it all? Solitude? Contemplation of nature?

I vowed never again to spend so much time and effort to end up cheek by jowl with my fellow humans, a vow I kept.

Karen Robinson Stark

Pasadena

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Great series for this week’s Travel section. Bravo! I’d like to make one suggestion for Mary Forgione’s “Best California Camping” [June 25] article.

With regard to San Jacinto Mountains and Idyllwild Park. My wife and I have worked as campground hosts at Mt. San Jacinto State Park in Idyllwild the last three springs.

The facilities, restrooms etc., at Idyllwild Park are marginal at best and have not been maintained. The state park campground has flush toilets and showers and is well-maintained. (I should know!)

The campground is open year-round. You can make reservations online. Just saying.

Tim Dillon

El Camino Village

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Thanks for your special section on camping, a recreation too few Americans indulge these days.

As one who has spent many nights under the stars from Quebec to the Sierra, however, let me warn the inexperienced to be wary of camping at sites that are too convenient. After spending many sleepless nights at roadside campsites, where my tent neighbors often drank too much and played loud music into the wee hours, I learned that we were better off if we hiked in a mile or so into the woods to pitch our tents.

That short walk was usually enough to deter boisterous amateurs with their six-packs and portable CD players, and made our own camping experience more fun.

Don Anderson

Ojai

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Camping? At this stage of my life, if it doesn’t have the potential for room service, I don’t do it!

Ron Yukelson

San Luis Obispo

Advice on passport applications

Regarding the June 25 letter about problems with passports: One must follow the State Department’s instructions to the letter. A single error opens the applicant to scrutiny.

My wife and I renewed our passports earlier this year and our experience was that of letter writer Jeff Bernhardt, who indicated his experience was positive. The application for renewal differs from a new passport, and it is highly recommended that instructions be followed with extreme care. If you make an error, start with a new application.

One may Google “U.S. Passport Service” for an application.

If one is applying for renewal they must send their old passport with the application. It is recommended that they send it by U.S. certified mail with return receipt.

Andrew Gero

La Crescenta

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@latimestravel