From wilderness to civilization

The transition from subdivisions to wilderness is abrupt. This is most evident in the Superstition Wilderness area east of Phoenix, Arizona. There are only a few access points left from the developed part of the desert into the wilderness. The transition is accomplished by means of a Forest Service gate. In the case of this trail, there are actually two fences and two gates. The question raised here is whether or not undeveloped land is automatically a wilderness? In this case, the "wilderness" is protected by federal laws. But all of the characteristics that you would normally attribute to a wilderness are missing. There is no solitude. The trails are busy with hikers. The haze from the Valley is always visible. For most of the area, you can see all of the Valley development. Perhaps, this raises the issue of exactly what we want to call a wilderness.