It was totally different back in the 1980s & early 90s.
I was living just under an hours drive from the Pont Y Daf carpark, and i can remember having the entire tourists path up Pen Y Fan to myself, on numerous occasions, even during the summer months.
The weekends were more busy, but mid week back in the 1980s, you could sometimes count the cars in both car parks, on two hands.
Walking in the Beacons, has always been popular, just look at the numerous guide books printed thirty odd years ago, so i wonder why footfall on the hills has increased considerably.?