Ppine

I think everyone hikes their own hike. Some people choose to hike the John Muir Trail even though there are lots of people along it. Others choose to go off-trail specifically to avoid said people.

Right now, based on the responses I've had from this board and others, somewhere between 50-75% of the backpackers who have responded say that prefer no people. But some have been quite outspoken about the wonderful people they've met, and their willingness to camp near others with the expectation that they will meet some really cool people.