When I camp, I prefer to pick a spot with a little character, not some desolate spot in the middle of nothing. A lot of DV is the latter and while I've seen plenty of people camping in such spots, I tend to prefer to camp at a spot with some kind of cover. The top of a mountain, a canyon, maybe some brush...something for cryin out loud. I completely understand cutting off vehicle use to something like Marble Canyon, but if they start killing things like camping in Cottonwood, Monarch, Echo, or Hole in the wall, my days will probably be coming to an end as far as DV goes. The main lure pushing me to DV is #1-off roading, but a strong #2 is camping in something cool (as in unique). There are plenty Desolation Blvd type places throughout the state to camp at if I want such a thing.
Now I can understand if the place is being trashed, but as I posted, rarely have I've seen heavy trash there and most was from a long time ago. Maybe I've just missed it or maybe the rangers actively remove it. I don't know. My gut feeling is there is a movement to limit road use. Hope I'm wrong but when inquiring about the hidden valley road the county said DV would not let the road be repaired as it had been in the past. Hum? I have seen those who go off trail and tear things up and I hate it. It does scare certain areas but not the majority of the park. The next year and it looks like nobody has been there since the 1800's.
As far as trash, it's common in the sierra's and usually all it takes is somebody like me and a few freinds to clean it up...I just got back from such a trip. To close off the area because of what was on the ground is BS. Even 4x4 trails cut off to use are returned to a state where it's difficult to tell if there was even a trail was there in the first place. The desert is different. Trails from the 30's look like they were used W/I the last couple of years so to stop that type of destruction is important. But to close off the area by hamstringing the rest of the good folks who obey the law is something I'm afraid of. The jerks out there just drive over the signs that say stay out, so obvoiusly signs don't work.
Hopefully I'm over addressing the proposal and like I posted, maybe the Park service can pull their heads out and do something right for a change. Some of what I read I like and agree with. Some is vague.
