Because I am one of those who seeks solitude, I made a point of avoiding weekends and chose destinations that were off the beaten path. Although because of physical limitations my wilderness excursions are now limited, I believe it is now impossible to travel anywhere within a few hours' drive of the Portland metropolitan area without meeting hordes of people. It has become apparent that we are loving the wilderness to death. Campsites are trampled bare of vegetation and limbs are chopped off live trees for firewood. Even the most distant lakes have soapsud foam washing ashore from improper disposal of wash water.
Unleashed dogs wander through and disturb campsites.
Toilet paper and human waste lie exposed on the surface in many places. Trails through meadows are eroded two feet deep in places. Maybe it is time for the feds to step in and tell us where we can go and when we can go there. And maybe, in doing so, the wilderness will get respite from destruction by humanity.