[tristor]

Very much true. I heard so many complaints both of the times I lived in Colorado about how everything was crowded and that was really only true in the parking lot/road in at the trailheads. Once you got a couple miles in, the only people you'd see were those on their return trip passing you by going in the opposite direction, and for the parking situation if you go early enough that you're starting your hike in earnest just after first light, you'll be the one passing people on your return trip.