As you noted, CA has a current population of 40m, doubling from 20m in just 40 years. The next doubling will be 40m, or an additional 1m per year which will bring the total to 80m in another 40 years.

(Yes, I know there are anecdotal stories of people leaving, but they are more than replaced by net immigration from India, China, Mexico and other places. If you doubt this, observe the suburban growth extending into the central valley, Salinas valley and northern Calif. Freeway expansion is certainly well underway, indicating public officials are planning for the obvious.)

So, what's the point? The point is that every generation has to learn to let go of their collective past. Imagine talking to an old timer who remembered the open ranges, or territories that hadn't yet converted to states and associated land grants. It would seem surreal to someone in 1921.

Well, guess what? We're the old timers reminescing about a past that is not only gone, but is in the process of being buried beyond all recognition. Camping alone wherever? LOL. Pooping in the woods? LOL. Forget it - designated camping areas along with toilets are the inevitable future of backcountry hiking.

The key is to simply go along with whatever system is in place without wasting any energy or effort resisting what to any younger person is a foregone conclusion. But you can still use your wits to gain an advantage - simply learn how to game whatever system is in place.
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For example, what with all the permit horror stories last year of long telephone calls, I simply said fuck it and did a bunch of day hikes. Now, admittedly I can hike reasonably far, so it was doable for me. But there are shorter hikes that can be tailored per user. In my case, I was doing approx 20 mile round trips each day, so I got my backcountry fill, plus got to enjoy some cold bears over a nice cooked dinner afterward.

The other alternative is to bail, to leave the past behind. I know many people really cannot fathom not hiking in the Sierra each summer, but there are other countries, other places that aren't experiencing the kind of growth taking place in Calif. If the USA is showing classic signs of late stage empire, then the "outer" provinces might be a suitable option.

For the younger people, I actually support the comment just above. I would go rogue and say fuck all to anyone trying to bother me. If you spend any time with 20 somethings, they can tell something is in the air.

Last edited by Hobbes; 03/25/21 08:55 AM.