Wednesday, September 21, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
HIKE: Permit limits
means fewer hikers
in the spectacular area
Continued from page 21
That sort of major expedi-
tion isn’t necessary, though,
to enjoy an outing on the
Obsidian Trail. However,
it has become harder to be
spontaneous with this hike
since a special entry permit is
now required for the trail.
The Forest Service has
designated the Obsidian Trail
region as a “heavy-use area,”
and limited entry permits
have been required since the
mid-1990s. The purpose of
the permits, of course, is to
limit user impact. Prior to
imposition of this require-
ment, the area was being
significantly damaged by
over-use.
The Forest Service con-
siders that the permit system
has successfully and signifi-
cantly mitigated damage to
the area. Permits are sup-
posedly “free,” but there is a
$6 “transaction fee” associ-
ated with the permit process.
Permits are limited to 30
day-use hikers per day and 40
overnight users.
The permit system is so
effective in reducing traffic
that, during this recent hike,
we did not see a single hiker
in the permit area. The only
hiker we did see near the area
was skirting the high-use area
because he was unable to
obtain a permit.
T h e r ea s o n f o r t h e
Obsidian Trail becoming a
high-use area is, of course,
obvious. Spectacular vistas
are seen in every direction.
Obsidian Falls and a field
of sparkling obsidian chips
are a bonus for taking the
longer route. The volcanic
obsidian rocks, from which
this trail takes its name, are
especially abundant in this
area and played an important
role in the area’s cultural his-
tory. For thousands of years,
Native Americans sought out
this area as a source for high-
quality obsidian for the mak-
ing of tools and weapons.
If you treasure the gor-
geous high-mountain haunts
of the Cascades, then this is
a hike for you. Regardless
of whether you choose the
13.3- or 16.3-mile versions,
you end up at a trail junc-
tion where the Glacier Way
Cutoff joins the Obsidian
Trail. From here it is “only”
four miles back to your car at
the trailhead.
To enjoy this hike, take
the McKenzie Pass Highway
(242) west from Sisters. From
the pass summit, continue
west for another 5.6 miles and
turn right (west) at the Scott
Lake turnoff. There is a sign
advising of the approaching
turn, but there is an interven-
ing turnoff, as well; so wait
until you are abreast of the
brown Scott Lake sign before
turning off. Once off the
highway, the Scott Trail park-
ing lot is the next immediate
right.
Almost the entire hike
is within the Three Sisters
Wilderness boundary, so wil-
derness permits are required
and are free at the trailhead
kiosk. Always be properly
equipped for wilderness travel
— particularly on a hike of
this length and difficulty —
and remember that weather
conditions can change rapidly
in the mountains.
Limited entry permits
for the Obsidian Trail can
be obtained online at www.
recreation.gov or by calling
1-877-444-6777. Permits can
be printed online within 14
days of use, so it is no lon-
ger necessary to obtain them
directly from the McKenzie
District Ranger Station.
23
Fed judge to decide whether lawsuit proceeds
EUGENE (AP) — A fed-
eral judge in Eugene, Oregon,
is considering arguments
about whether a lawsuit
brought by a group of chil-
dren and a leading climate
scientist can go forward.
The plaintiffs’ lawsuit
alleges that the federal gov-
ernment has known for more
than 50 years that carbon pol-
lution causes climate change,
but it has failed to implement
plans to phase out greenhouse
gas emissions. Instead, gov-
ernment officials have pro-
moted the development and
use of fossil fuels, the plain-
tiffs allege.
The defendants—includ-
ing the federal government
and trade groups representing
energy giants such as Exxon
Mobil and BP—have asked
the judge to dismiss the case,
arguing that emissions policy
should be determined by law-
makers and federal agencies,
not by the court. They also
argue they already comply
with the federal Clean Air Act
and the plaintiffs don’t have
legal standing.
U.S. District Judge Ann
Aiken heard arguments
Tuesday and is expected to
issue a ruling by November.
She could adopt, reject
or modify an earlier ruling
by U.S. Magistrate Judge
Tom Coffin, who in March
declined to dismiss the case,
The Register-Guard reported.
The plaintiffs include 21
youths who were between the
ages of 8 and 19 when the suit
was filed last year, as well
as climate scientist James
Hansen. They are seeking a
court decision that finds the
government is violating their
constitutional rights to life,
liberty and property by allow-
ing dangerous emissions to be
released into the atmosphere.
They’re also seeking a
court order that requires the
government to create a plan
to dramatically slash green-
house gas emissions released
by the burning of fossil fuels.
Julia Olson, a lawyer for
the plaintiffs, told Aiken her
clients are open to engaging
in settlement discussions if it
would not delay the outcome.
Avery McRae, an 11-year-
old plaintiff from Eugene,
said outside court that she
was upset when people say
she and other plaintiffs are
too young to sue.
“I know that I love
the Earth, and I know it’s
being threatened by warm-
ing temperatures,” she said.
“I know that I have a con-
stitutional right to a stable
environment.”
The federal case is among
a series of lawsuits filed by
youth plaintiffs working with
Our Children’s Trust, a non-
profit environmental group
based in Eugene.
Teens in other states have
filed similar climate change
lawsuits.
In Washington state, sev-
eral young climate activists,
including one who is a plain-
tiff in the federal Eugene
lawsuit, have sued to force
officials to adopt new rules to
limit carbon emissions based
on the best available science.
I know that I have a
constitutional right to a
stable environment.
— avery Mcrae
In May, a state judge
ordered Washington to come
up with a rule by the end of
the year. Gov. Jay Inslee said
at the time that court reaf-
firmed the need to do what
the state already committed
to. The state appealed the
judge’s order in June.
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