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Harriett lake in the Mountain Lakes primitive area is the water's edge. It is seen here Irom the ridse on the
a jewel anion? lakes. Its water is clear and cold and it south entrance trail,
pppesrs exceptionally deep where a huge rock slide meets
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tlS x !rt" SiU4i trait! -iKs2 i' 441
Frnm Hnrpshnr lake Mt. l.uthor annears to he not
much more than a hill of rock. Several years ago a group
of girl scouts reported that they had hiked to the top of
the mountain to watch the moon rise. They returned to
their camp at lake Margaret by moonlight.
Features
Sports
in Southern Oregon
MEDFORDtJiM'KIBUNE
SECTION B
MEDFORD. OREGON. SUNDAY, MAY 27. 1962
PAGES 1 to 8
3v
By BOB VROMAN
Mail Tribune Staff Writer
Although there is still much snow in the Cascades
east of Medford, the host of tiny mountain lakes from
Seven Lakes basin south to the Mountain Lakes primitive
area are now open for fishing.
This also marks the beginning of the "season" for back
packers Bnd nature lovers who make use of this scenic
back country. It Is a world apart from traffic lights, tele
vision and the complexities of civilization.
There are no roads, just trails. There is no roar of a
diesel engine or chain saw. Here is ultimate quiet. At
night perhaps the coyotes will serenade you as you lie in
your sleeping bag or the call of an owl will echo across
the lake.
In this unspoiled land you will see grouse, deer, chip
munks, pica and other wildlife. Eagles are known to live in
the rocky cliffs above one lake. There are bear, loo, but
you are not apt to see one . . . just his tracks.
Many people have not visited this pleasant country and
probably-'don't want to because. they feel they wouldn't
' appreciate it. But to thousands of others it- offers; an
escape, a chance to enjoy and observe nature in its prim
itive form.
One man expressed it this way: "I have never been up
in that country, but when my three boys are old enough
I want to take them there. I would like to show them some
real camping . . . not the kind we have done in public
parks and recreation areas."
A wilderness bill, now being studied by a committee
of the house of representatives in Washington, DC, would
permanently set aside a good part of this country as wild,
primitive or limited use areas. There are those that object
to "tying up" so much timberland for recreation use.
Many of the trees are ripe for cutting and, in time, will
be overripe and will go to waste.
Our lumber industry depends on a continued supply of
timber and must reach further and further into the virgin
stands for prime saw logs and peelers. Roads, one by one,
are being "punched" into new areas in order to get logs
out.
Is this good or bad? The' roads aid in fire control.
Economically, it is practical to harvest the limber. The
industry provides huge payrolls. It supplies the lumber
with which America can build and grow.
Let us hope that we can appease both causes; but that
there will always be enough unspoiled land for future
generations to enjoy.
Located in an area that is more remote Eagles. Mountain lakes are often fed by
than most. Tsuga lake in the Sky Lakes underwater springs and have no outlet ex
group is the home of at least one pair of cept for seepage.
The shores of Island lake are fringed covered with hot huckleberry sauce. Thl
with huckleberry bushes, which bear about lake is fed by a small stream which has
the middc of August. It would be difficult temperature of about 34 degrees, even in late
to find a tastier breakfast than pancakes summer.
vnunc fisherrron. above, displavs a motor boats is prohibited in lhrr arras
This piclurrsqur cabin on the Skyh wratliered many wmlrrs nf dri p snows and
trail near Horsrshor lakr makrs one wondrr now srrms to blend inlo iM wi;iTnrss let
.vho hilt it. and for whal reason. It V'S ling.
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Along the Skyline trail south of Seven with bright yellow blooms, is observed by
Lakes basin one romrs upon many pleasant two young hikers,
surprises. Mere a cmallWily pond, covered
catch nl pan-sized eastern brook trout taken out Qhngnerris thrm? f)ne ran ftill ralrh
fmm Blu lakr in Blur canyon. The use nf fish.
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