Ken, there are other ways to help with the problem of constructed campsites than locking people out of the wilderness. Educating hikers would be a good start. I have heard the "leave no trace" concept, but don't recall being asked by a ranger to not build or clear a campsite (though I often do kick sticks, rocks and pine cones back over my bedding spot.) I have heard plenty about fire rings, but not clearing rocks for campsites. Why do we have to prevent and abolish wilderness experiences for thousands of hikers by locking them out with tiny trail quotas, due to the past habits of uneducated ones?
I tend to agree with SierraNevada: Why are they spending so much time moving rocks around? They do the opposite when they build trails. While it is a sign that people have been there before me, I can't think of anyone ever complaining that seeing a cleared campsite reduced their wilderness experience. It would seem to me that putting those rangers to work interacting with hikers on the trail, reminding them of the "Leave No Trace" ethic, and even encouraging hikers to help un-make overbuilt campsites, in the long run, would have a better impact.
Locking people out of the wilderness, blocking access to any wilderness experience at all is the opposite of providing "outstanding opportunities for solitude." There are better ways to manage the wilderness. I'd sure like to make this point to those 100 rangers who think that I "don't get it."
I guess I'm anticipating the overwhelming anger and disgust that will ensue, when you are required to attend educational briefings before you can begin on your hikes. Of course, in SEKI, that is already required. Has it made a
dramatic difference? I doubt it. But no more picking up permits in dropboxes. I'll tell them it was your idea.
I like your idea: Federal employees hired to perform a specific duty- carry out the provisions Wilderness Act- should instead IGNORE the wilderness act, the law of the United States. So far, the FS and Park Service have done really well in Federal Court ignoring federal laws, I like that you think that this is a good expenditure of tax dollars.
We can extend this, I think: We can hire people to pick up litter, but instead, they can
ignore litter, and only spend their time harrassing all visitors about not littering. I like the idea of a required 1 hour lecture before being allowed to visit Yosemite. In fact, before being allowed to drive, at all, anywhere.
