| PRO NAVAJO (con't) Navajo is so respected by the Indians that it is a sacred area. A reference to this by Lawrence Clark Powell appeared just this month In Westways. Although the summit is a forest of conifers, the views on the way up are nearly unlimited, Into such spectacular country as Glen Canyon and Monument Valley. This mountain is one of the dominant features of the whole Four Corners area, and is certainly worthy of a permanent place on our list. TRIPLE JEOPARDY FOR NAVAJO MTN. JOHN VITZ For the third time in recent years the proposition to remove Navajo Mtn. from the list has been put forth. Twice before it has been defeated but that doesn't stop the opposition. There are four reasons being put forth for its removal: |
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of these statements are true. It is silly to drive all the way out there to
climb any mountain and return immediately. But when done in conjunction with a
backpack to Rainbow Bridge, it is a trip that ranks with Big Picacho and South
Guardian Angel. Ruby Dome, Wheeler and others are not much closer. There is no
view from the summit only because the mountain is covered with a beautiful
forest of pine, fir and aspen. There are, however, several unobstructed views
of about 100 miles over the plateau country available along the route. Both
White and Charleston (an emblem peak even) have buildings, etc. on the summits,
Potosi has a microwave station near the summit and numerous peaks have an
accumulation of junk, compliments of the USGS. White Mtn, has a jeep road to
the summit (the forest service leads an annual 4WD trip every Labor Day) and
New York Butte and Patterson to very near the summit. The Navajo road is steep
and most people are unable to drive very far up the mountain. Navajo Mountain is an impressive massif dominating its surrounding area as much or more than any other on our list and it lies in the heart of beautiful high desert and canyon country. Before you vote against this mountain, ask someone who has been there. The mountaineering committee voted 2-1 to remove Navajo. Strangely enough the two votes were from people who hadn't been there. U.S. TRAVELERS LITTERING BAJA DONNELL CULPEPPER February brings some disturbing news from Baja, Ca., where the newly opened transpeninsular two-lane highway is attracting hundreds of tourists and campers from the U.S. The federal director of tourism for the territory of Baja California del Sur, Carlos Rivas Palacio, says that a fee of $1 per vehicle may have to be imposed for camping throughout most of the area. If you think I am preaching on this Tuesday, I really am and I am joining Rivas in his campaign to do something about the littering and vandalism that already is taking place along the highway and on the beaches. Thousands of vehicles were on that road over the Christmas-New Year holiday period. Most of those were camper trucks and trailers. Rivas said that hundreds stopped wherever they pleased and left litter and trash, creating police problems of traffic control and security. As for Baja there is no reason to toss litter and trash and even garbage or worse everywhere just because most of it is a desolate area. Residents of the US should be careful to respect Baja's natural resources even though most travelers may feel that there is nothing there except cacti, dust, and heat. And don't throw your weight around and say, "I am an American Citizen." Long Beach Press Telegram 2/15/74 |
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