As best I can tell having seen photos from somebody inconsiderate enough and crazy enough to backpack around Mount Jefferson, most of it burned horribly in the various fires over the past 15 years and the rest of it is dark, deep, roaring canyons. Lots of waterfalls and lots of rock. I'd love to see it someday, but only if the Warm Springs decide to open their lands up to hikers. Otherwise it's their land and I will respect their wishes to keep it closed to non-Tribal members. We all should.BurnsideBob wrote:The Seven Cities of Cibola??miah66 wrote: Just imagine what's over there!
I agree completely. There are vast swaths of the Mount Jefferson Wilderness that are sans trail, and they should stay terra incognita to the world. Exploring off trail in these parts is a wonderful experience because of how mysterious and wonderful some of these places are. But they shouldn't all be documented and recommended to everyone, for logistical and environmental reasons.BurnsideBob wrote:miah66 wrote: When everything is discovered and mapped to the centimeter, will we be any richer? We need 'terra incognita' on which to project our dreams, fears, fantasies, and hopes.
I am really excited to view the Oregon Field Guide episode. But I am hoping the episode is vague enough to leave some mystery.
Happy Off Trails!!
My new book explores pretty much every trail in the wilderness but makes absolutely no recommendation to places off-trail. As far as I'm concerned, if there is a trail there it should be explored and written about; if there isn't a trail, then hopefully people can figure that stuff out for themselves.
I'm not too worried about Valhalla getting trashed considering how hard it will be for anyone to access. I am a bit worried that people will try without understanding what it would actually take to get there (or rather, to get out of there once they get in). I too am hoping the episode is vague enough to leave some mystery.