Another aspect of the wilderness experience in Colorado, its it's not really wilderness in the sense of solitude. Most of these wildernesses get so much traffic, at least for the first eight miles, there's no firewood below eight feet off the ground, no time at which you're out of sight of another hiking party (at least on summer weekends). These are almost all "nonmotorized hiking areas" that were formerly deserted, but after designation became yuppie magnets for those who like to make lists of all the "wildernesses" they've "conquered."
Dave, seriously you crack me up. The only thing consistent in your blather is the inconsistency. Take this gem above for example. You just told us in a previous post that wilderness access is so tough that it precludes the "orange army" and will result in the end of hunting as we know it. But here you're saying that it's really not wilderness at all because there are people behind every tree, stripping the land of firewood and making nuisances of themselves. And it's those damned pantywaist yuppies no less!!! They must be some tough sumbitches to get all the way back to where the orange army dares not tread.
Which is it Dave, incredibly tough access or so easy that there are people behind every tree?
And your comment about the RMNP not being wilderness is incorrect. Have you been there and seen it for yourself? Google it if you don't believe me but at least get your facts straight. A small percentage of it is developed with campgrounds, parking lots, and so forth but most is wilderness.
And last but not least, not everyone in resort towns is a low-wage seasonal worker Dave. If people couldn't make a living there the towns would not exist, it's as simple as that. These towns are full of small businesses and small business owners and employees who make a living year-round. You discount these folks because they're not in mining, logging, ranching, or energy which are the only uses you think matter. Rather, these mom & pop operators own restaurants, grocery stores and shops, gas stations, small hotels and cabins, outfitting and guide services, snowmobile and bike rental shops, and so on and so forth. And they cater to people you like to look down your nose and sneer at, as if your favorite uses of public lands are the only ones that matter and the rest of "those people" can go pound sand. But it's "those people" who want to prioritize their uses over all else, right Dave?
