SCROLL DOWN TO SEE PHOTOS I ONCE SHARED THAT CONJURED THE WRATH OF GATEKEEPERS ONLINE

Gatekeepers are people who feel it is there prerogative to prevent the promulgation of “secret” places to tourists and the general public by shaming or denouncing or performing other unpleasant actions unto those who share the secrets.

And that’s fine. They have the right to free speech protected by the First Amendment. They can say what they want to prevent that promulgation. They can call me every name in the book. That’s not a crime.

At the same, I have a right to free speech protected by the First Amendment also. I can be that person who shares the secrets. I can do that as much as I want.

Of course, they cross a line when their intemperance compels them to use any degree of physical force in attempting to prevent me from saying what I wish. That’s not something I fear. It’s not happened to me. I don’t think it would. But I have seen some real intemperance.

Why push the envelope though? Why share secrets? Why cause anger? Indignation? Wrath?

That would never be my objective. It truly wouldn’t.

However, if I want to share photos and words of places I go, off the beaten path, and known only to locals, well, I will. I will because it’s fun to blog. It’s fun to share words and photos. It’s fulfilling, and why should I let people who are a little full of themselves stop me from doing it?

Plus, some people are intrigued by what I share. The small amount of people who read my blogs are likely never going to make it to the places I go, and why not bring amusement, curiosity or even a little happiness by showing people the cool things that can be found in the wilderness on federal lands?

But what if you inspire people to go there? What if you inspire a lot of people to go there? What if the multitudes you inspire flood the place? And ruin the ecology of the place? What if the secret places become like other places in the Red Rocks that are flooded with tourists?

Meh. You can also conject that I inspire Martians who come for the purpose of blowing up the place with their lasers. You can conject a thousand other things. But the probabilities are pretty small.

Again, few people read this blog, and the chance that anyone will come is small.

And, if they do, great. That means I’ve inspired them to do something unique which may create a happy memory they’ll never forget.

And if I inspire thousands? I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. It’s likely the Apocalypse will happen first.

But even if I were to, it won’t sting my conscience because I’ve done nothing illegal, immoral or unethical by using my First Amendment right to share happiness, especially considering that the people who would find the places I go to are likely going to be respectful of the land in the first place.

But what if they’re not?!?!

That’s another bridge I’d cross. But there just comes to a point where arguments using extreme hypotheticals which attempt to keep me silent are so stupid and unworthy of my respect that I just don’t care.

I’ve yet to hear any articulation of a moral or ethical standard that would convict my conscience to believe that I am immoral or unethical for sharing happiness. Asking for such a standard from Gatekeepers can conjure a doltish look or stammering words.

So, if I want to share what I think are some of the best kept secrets in Western America, I will. It’s neat stuff.

The below photos are in the vicinity of Jenga Rock, above Bear Sign Canyon, one of the Seven Canyons of the Western Red Rock Country. You access this area though USFS roads.

Even though the “secret” of this place has been out for years, and you need to be able to read paper maps, and need high clearance and 4×4 to get there, it still conjured some wrath from self-righteous gatekeepers, which amused me for an hour or so.