Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 19, 2018)
Wednesday, September 19, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon WEEDS: Herbicide was approved in environmental analysis TRAIL: Volunteers are working to clear trail from undergrowth Continued from page 1 Continued from page 16 Forest Service Public Affairs Officer Kassidy Kearn reports that, “These inva- sive plants out-compete most native species and present a major challenge in protecting the unique native vegetation and habitat of the Metolius River. Restoring and pro- tecting the Metolius Wild and Scenic River and its values including fish, wild- life, water quality, ecology, scenery, and cultural values is a priority of the Deschutes National Forest. This action, in addition to others, will move that restoration effort forward.” The two herbicides being used were approved through an environmental analysis in 2005 and a supplemen- tal environmental analysis in 2012, the Forest Service reports. According to the Deschutes National Forest, experimentation with alter- native methods of con- trol proved unsatisfac- tory. Covering areas with black plastic for two years (known as solarization) and hand-pulling showed that any root not com- pletely removed contin- ues to reproduce, so nei- ther control method is fea- sible given the size of the infestations. the trail. He laughed and said, “…no, but sometimes it feels like it.” So far this year, they have completed 12 trips, with more to come. Holly Scott echoed Mark’s comments. “When they con- sidered decommissioning this trail, we thought, ‘Oh, Noooooo! We need more trails, not less.’” And so their quest was born, and still con- tinues. “I guess we do this because we believe this is a unique area that should not be lost due to lack of com- mitment,” Mark said. “We believe in the importance of free access to our wilderness areas.” They have received some volunteer help along the way, like the three helpers they had when we ran into them. He said they have also had help from Outward Bound, and REI employees are com- ing in to help with the project this week. We learned from Mark that the spur trail to Jefferson Lake itself has not been cleared. “There are more than 200 downed trees on that trail,” he said. “Since we’re limited to handsaws in the wilderness, it’s just too much for us to do.” We left the work party and continued on to about the four-mile mark, where the view opened up to what would have been an expan- sive close-up view of Mt. Jefferson, had the clouds not obscured most of it. Still we could see snowfields on its flanks that seemed only a stone’s throw away. We ate lunch in this sce- nic spot, then retraced our steps to where the work party continued to labor. Some of the dense ceanothus that had choked the trail on our inward trek was gone, but now lay in great heaps over the trail. We paused to chat again with the volunteers and helped toss some of the debris off the trail, although it was little more than a token gesture, considering all the work they had performed. We continued on and made a lengthy stop at Cougar Springs for no other reason than it was a nice place to sit and enjoy the wilderness. Cougar Springs may have come by its name naturally, since we saw some freshly cleaned deer bones nearby. Continuing on, we could occasionally hear the roar- ing of Jefferson Creek in the not-too-far distance. When we reached the beautiful oasis of old-growth forest along Candle Creek, we knew that our outing was nearing its con- clusion; and it was a pleasure to revel in its grandeur one more time, as we completed our modest eight-mile hike. Anyway, bottom line, the Jefferson Lake Trail is open; but getting to the lake itself would be something of an endurance contest. If you are PHOTO BY CRAIG EISENBEIS A volunteer trail crew, headed by Mark and Holly Scott, hacks away at the 10-foot-high ceanothus. really ambitious, a car drop at the nearby Cabot Lake Trailhead could make for a wilderness loop of more than 16 miles. This whole area is very lightly traveled. In fact, the Scotts would like to see more traffic on a trail they have been laboring to pre- serve for the enjoyment of others. And, if you think you might like to help them in this quest, you are invited to con- tact them at markscottpe@ gmail.com. They plan to continue their work into mid- October. Plus, there is always next year! T h e J e ff e r s o n L a k e Trailhead can be reached by following the Camp Sherman Road (Forest Road 12) all the way to its intersection with roads 1290 and 1292 at the edge of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. The Sugar Pine Ridge Trail, which once branched off this trail, has been abandoned and is no longer maintained. N OW IS THE T IME TO S CHEDULE I NTERIOR P ROJECTS Request a FREE ESTIMATE and return a signed contract by October 31, 2018 and receive 10% OFF THE PRICE OF ANY INTERIOR PAINTING SERVICE! We specialize in interior and exterior painting, cabinet, door, and trim refinishing, along with wood refinishing. Ask us about our dustless Festool System! 541-480-1410 • twonderly@ykwc.net The Best Fence You’ll Never See. ® • Manage via Smart Phone Training • GentleSteps™ G Award-Winning Technology • Aw Best Warranty in Industry • Be America’s Safest Dog Fence • Am • 100% 10 Made in the U.S.A. SAVE $100 NOW 5 541-771-2330 phantompetfence.com/save-now/ p Come join us for lunch or dinner. Tasty THURSDAY Veterans’ Services September 20, 5-7 p.m. Kriselle Serving those who’ve served. 391 91 W. W Cascade A Ave. ve | 5 541-549-2675 41-549-2675 corkcellarswinebistro.com 541-585-VETS (8387) | www.deschutes.org/vets Hope for a child. Change for a nation. There are a million perfectly understandable reasons not to help. Thankfully, love trumps them all. $37 a month. All the difference in the world. Sponsor a child with a local organization at HopeAfricaKids.com This ad sponsored by The Nugget Newspaper. ccb#183906 18
