Once again, I am not making this kind of post because there is nothing important to report. Like two years ago in our hike to Obsidian Cliffs we once again made a venture into Willamette National Forest as part of our Memorandum of Understanding. This time it was me, Jack Giffen, Jr. and Rob Greene, in addition to three Forest Service workers who helped arrange the trip.
While not as arduous as Obsidian Cliffs, it wasn't easy either, as we hiked a little less than ten miles Thursday and Friday. What was interesting about this trip is we encountered a couple of sites, one was definite, that had been areas for obsidian-working. Two of our Forest Service workers found what looked like a little cache of obsidian flakes, as if somebody had clearly been chipping away.
The lakes you see are Lake Benson, Lake Tenas, and an unnamed lake that we had all to ourselves. I spoke with the representatives about making the Obsidian Cliffs hike an annual event. Per law we can't take parties of more than 12 into the area. But even at that number it would allow a good number of people. Like the meteorite, or the canoe journey, I would hope that we could make this yearly rite of passage for Tribal members who are willing. Though it can be grueling at times, it is well worth the sweat. What I like best is the pristine nature of this area. You have to see it to believe it. We were only a few miles from the Obsidian Cliffs area, in fact from one of the mountain tops you could see exactly where we had been two years previously. I kid you not, this place was absolutely beautiful. Whatever attraction was there for our ancestors is definitely there now.
The other photos are the lava fields around Belknap Crater, also spectacular. My legs are very sore right now.
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