I think it is important to make this distinction, because this discussion is supposed to be about the need for, or absence of permits to access an area. Keep in mind that even at Mt Whitney, anyone can access the area up to Lone Pine Lake, and the MR up to Lower Boy Scout Lake. I find it ironic that Inyo N.F. cited damage of the area below LBSL when they set day hike limits on the Mountaineers Route.
I must admit that I latched onto the general query of: what is a wilderness experience? Any further refining of the question/discussion will be lost on me, because I am not invested in the topic enough to go beyond a few general observations. I will probably extract myself from the conversation at this point and let the policy wonks take over.
Answer to your question: The worst area I saw for pollution was at the end of a brutal 8mi hike that included a few thousand lost/gained feet in order to finally access a %^&^$#!! polluted lake shore that is a one thousand foot descent (bye-bye hard work..)One could hike in or horseback ride in. The pollution was caused by squatters who had been there who knows how long (squatting is a by-product of zero supervision of the area)
Okay, outta here -- have at it!
