Thursday, October 29, 2009

Eagle Falls/Rapids

On a rocky precipice above Eagle Falls

I volunteered to do some guard duty at Scenic Hot Springs this past Wednesday in our attempts to control trespassers and vandals heading into the springs without permission. It is getting to be a big problem for us so every once in awhile we will make the long drive to sit up there and turn around those who seem to think these hot springs are theirs and they can do as they please.

While access is not a problem if asked for and there are no other concerns, irresponsible people continue to ignore and/or tear down the signs. Night time soaking is a problem. Fire builders are a problem. And teenaged drinking and partying are a problem. So we do guard duty in an attempt to educate these people and forestall problems in the long-range. Such is what I was doing up there Wednesday.

Boring, mainly. I turned back six cars of people . . . and waited patiently for two sets of people already up at the springs to come back down so I could give them a little education. Two of the cars were full of teenagers and one of them didn't even bother to continue the drive up to the gate . . . opting, instead, to back down without stopping. Guilty, one would presume.

In any case, boring. No nude time . . . no hot springs soaking. Around four pm I left, heading back to Seattle and pressing engagements later that evening. A shame to drive so far into the mountains and not get a chance to enjoy nature au' natural. As I drove I kept thinking about where I could get in half and hour or so of nude time. Passing Baring, I thought of Eagle Falls . . . if no other people where visiting that scenic location right beside the highway.

Eagle Falls and rapids are just west of Baring, WA along Highway 2. They result from a narrowing of the Skykomish River as it is forced through a hard cut in the basalt and granite of the terrain. Right off the highway in a large pullout that attracts many drivers to just stop and view the cascade of the river being forced through this rocky narrowing. Might as well be a viewpoint for it's popularity.

But today is a weekday, traffic is light and the weather (cloudy, mid 30s, misty) less than fun for clambering over slippery basalt to get down to the river. In the summertime this is a very popular swimming location at the large pool immediately downstream of the rapids. The smoothed basaltic extrusions make great partying locations right up against the river. Skinny dipping even happen here on occasion, despite the fact that most of the falls is visible from the viewpoint and the highway above. A little bit of discretion is called for. Nevertheless, there is plenty of room to be naked and not be seen from the highway. Just the tonic I was looking for.

All in all, a very enjoyable half hour just wandering around, taking pictures and enjoying the high-running river as it came roaring through the gap.


The photo album of this impromptu visit is here

Thursday, October 22, 2009

NAC Update: San Onofre, California

{Prefacing remarks: The outfall of this action goes far beyond California as many Western States relied on a tacit acceptance of the Cahill Policy to guide and modify their approaches to nudity on public lands. Since the California Supreme Court has refused to visit the Appellate ruling against Cahill, rangers are now free to begin issuing citations. This is a decidedly anti-nudity stance by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. The bad news is that other jurisdictions may now abandon the long-standing policy of Cahill and free their personnel to issue citations without the 'safe' buffer-warning of Cahill.
Nudists and naturists on the West coast could once rely on the Cahill policy as an understanding between themselves and government. Unfortunately, conservative elements in the Parks Department have dealt that understanding a death blow. Individual nudists are unlikely to risk citation (and the consequences of potential registration as sex offenders). What is needed now is legislation to either re-enact the Cahill provisions under codec of law, or legally designate clothing-optional beaches where nudity has been traditional in the past.
And, despite the accusations flying back and forth between NAC and AANR, these two organizations need to work together and make this happen. Else, why in the heck am I paying my dues to them?
Rick}





NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE
UPDATE





Copyright 2009 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its entirety and without alteration.

DATE : October 22, 2009
SUBJECT : San Onofre Update
TO : All naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist, This is an update from the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) on the status of San Onofre State Beach and NAC's ongoing effort on behalf of naturists there.

In June of this year, a California state court of appeal ruled in favor of the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) in its appeal of a Superior Court's ruling from 2008 that had favored naturists. The Naturist Action Committee and Friends of San Onofre Beach subsequently sought a ruling from the California Supreme Court. Today, the California Supreme Court declined to hear the case.

The appellate ruling was initially unpublished, but at the request of DPR, the appellate court later published the ruling. NAC requested that the ruling be de-published. However, as an adjunct to today's announcement, the California Supreme Court refused NAC's request to de-publish.

At issue in the lawsuit was whether DPR has followed proper procedure in abruptly ending the application of the Cahill/Harrison regulation at San Onofre State Beach. Cahill/Harrison is long-standing and well-known means for managing and regulating the clothing-optional use of portions of state parks.

TICKETS FOR NUDITY ARE POSSIBLE AT ALL CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS

The Supreme Court's refusal to hear the case allows the possibility that rangers may immediately begin issuing citations for nudity under Title 14, Section 4322 of the California Code of Regulations. Because the appeal ruling was published, this threat applies not only at San Onofre State Beach, but at ALL UNITS OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE PARK SYSTEM.

MORE INFORMATION

Details of this situation and specifics of the Cahill/Harrison Regulation and associated documents may be found on the NAC Web page:

There, you will find background documents related to the Cahill Policy, the Harrison letter and NAC's lawsuit.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

This is a tremendous setback, but the battle has not ended. The Naturist Action Committee is carefully considering the details of each of its remaining options and the ramifications of each. NAC will continue to issue Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates on this issue as circumstances require. Look for them.

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

The Naturist Action Committee remains committed to the vigorous defense of the clothing-optional use of public land. Activism on behalf of naturists can be expensive. NAC relies entirely on the voluntary financial support of people like YOU.

Won't you please send a generous donation to: NAC PO Box 132 Oshkosh, WI 54903 Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 (8AM-4PM, Central Time, weekdays) to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,
Bob Morton Executive Director
Naturist Action Committee



Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Allen Baylis - rab@baylislaw.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Scenic Hot Springs: Soakng and Viewing the Orionids

Skies clear for a few hours for a spectacular show

Well folks, you missed one spectacular stellar show of the Orionids Meteor Shower this past Monday night. Though the weather at first didn't seem like it was going to cooperate, the clouds did part and clear at the elevation of the hot springs for a few hours just as the constellation Orion was coming into view directly above the hot springs. The trails of meteors streaked across crystal-clear skies every couple of minutes and I can't think of any better way to watch the show than to lay back in very comfortable water far away from extraneous lights.

Ten people had responded, giving desire to join in. As one of the stewards of Scenic Hot Springs, we don't often give permission to visit the hot springs at night . . . the dangers of hiking in the dark, misbehavior by visitors at night . . . being the primary reasons. A night visit doesn't happen too often. So I was a little disappointed when no one showed up at the gate after having responded positively. The weather, I guess. Fog was thick and the weather cool and on the damp side. Fortunately or unfortunately, I was committed because I'm hosting this event and I'd like to get any visitors up there before nightfall makes the trip iffy.

Eventually, I give up and head into the clearcut to park. The fog (or clouds) are thicker up here. The outside temperature gauge in my car says it is 46F outside. Not bad for a nude hike except for the warmth-stealing moisture of fully-saturated air. I had intended to hike up nude in any case and I saw no reason to deny myself the experience just because of some misty-looking clouds. So off I went . . . this time with the full nude-snow-hiking-backpack of clothes, food and the other paraphernalia I usually carry during cold-weather nude hikes.

The air was still which helped. By the time I reached the trailhead proper at 3,000ft, I knew I was hiking directly into the heart of a cloud latched onto the upper mountain slopes. It got heavier and moister the higher I hiked. I could feel the dew beading on my skin, but I was feeling comfortable and enjoying every moment of the slow stroll up.

I reached the springs right as the last of the day was slipping below the western ridges. Time to set myself up, pull out those trash bags to protect my gear from dew (and possible rain) . . . and get into that marvelous water to rewarm myself. Though I was by no means feeling the cold, immersion into 103F silky water has a decidedly sensuous rush to cold-tightened skin. The water was perfect! The only disappointing part was that I could see no more than fifty feet or so above me. The springs were smack-dab in the middle of an obstinate cloud! No star views.

Night darkened and I soaked, alternating between the comfortable Bear Den pool and the much hotter 118F Lobster pool . . . and then out to stand and cool on the small deck with a cup of coffee before slipping back into the springsl.

Around 8-8:30pm the clouds slowly oozed downward on the slopes. Some action of thermodynamics as the temperatures lowered? It was getting colder out. Below, on the slopes, I could see the top of the cloud bank, almost touchable . . . any potential head and tail lights from Hwy 2 far beyond seeing. Above, crystal-clear and millions of stars peppering jet-black heavens. I lay back to watch.

The Orionid Meteor Showers are the dust-particle-sized remains of Halley's Comet during it's last pass through the inner solar system. Once a year, during October, the Earth passes through that region of space and those tiny particles get swept into our atmosphere to burn up as meteor trails. The Orionids are so named because they appear to originate from the constellation Orion (those three closely-spaced stars in a line near Sirius . . . the brightest star in the sky . . . that we have all seen, but maybe not recognized).

Orion was due to rise directly overhead around midnight (from the southeast). At midnight the meteor showers would appear to be coming in directly from above. In the few hours before zenith, the showers would be streaking across the sky from the southeast . . . a much more persistent view. As I watched, lo and behold . . . there was one, directly over the crest of the slopes. A minute or two later, another. In the untainted black of the skies far from city lights the trails were stark and long lasting until the final burnout halfway across the skies.

Guys (and gals), you missed a show!

The shoulder of Orion was just coming into view when a new bank of clouds started occluding the stars above. Well, I got the best part, I suppose. I waited, hoping the mists were just tempoary but no dice. They just got thicker . . . and my soles and palms were getting wrinkly from prolonged soaking. Time to head back down.

The headlamp was almost useless, the hike slow and with very careful footing. By the time I reached the clearcut 500ft below, the wind had picked up and misting rain begun. Still, I was feeling comfortable enough to continue on nude. Near the bottom I did get disoriented for a moment, wondering where my car was. I started to turn toward Scenic Creek until I stopped, thought about it and reasoned it out. Wrong side trail. Fifty feet away and totally obscured sat refuge and warmth. Moral of that thought . . . don't ever get so complacent or cocksure that you make a mistake that can get you completely turned around. Weather changes in an instant in the Cascades. That's the reason I carry survival supplies in my backpack . . . I know Scenic as well as most people (perhaps better), but I almost went off in the wrong direction.

Back inside the car as the heater is getting up to strength, the temperature gauge shows how much the weather has cooled. 36F. I'd been peppered on the final stretches by the light sting of snow. The windshield has a patchwork of those wet, melting particles now. Cold enough.

Yeap, you sure missed a great stellar event, folks. Though my digital camera does not have the capability to capture star views, the rest of the trip is potrayed in my Jalbum here.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Rare Opportunity: Night Soak at Scenic to View the Orionid Meteor Showers

Here's your chance for an escorted and permitted nighttime visit to Scenic Hot Springs to lay back in the hot springs waters and watch the annual Orionid Meteor Showers at their best on Monday night. Conditions are predicted to be optimal.

This event will be escorted by a couple of volunteers from just before nightfall until the wee hours of the morning (midnight brings Orion, where the showers are coming from, and Sirius above the horizon for the best view in Scenic's awesome star-gazing views). Participation is limited at a cost of $10 per person.

Dress appropriately, bring a snack and drink . . . and lay back for this stellar event!

Hike in begins one hour before sunset on the 19th of Oct, 2009 (Monday). Advance registration only here or email directly.

Meager Creek Hot Springs Update

From Mike Sato:


Meager Creek Hot Springs was closed on September 19th due to a mudslide that occurred at Capricorn Creek. The Upper Lillooet River campsite and Meager Creek Hot Springs were fine. However, about 200m of Meager Creek FSR was washed out. Also the Capricorn bridge was washed out. So visitors will not be able to access Meager Creek Hot Springs until next spring. The mudslide damage was very large, so Meager Creek Hot Springs's reopening will depend on how fast the BC Ministry of Forest can fund the reconstruction of the bridge and access road.



Meager Creek this past June (before the slide)

Friday, October 9, 2009

My Daily Dose of Vit. D

An image for my detractors.
Is this covered up enough for you?

It amazing what as little as an hour or two simply and aimlessly strolling in natural sunlight can do to revitalize you . . . get you to thinking positively again.

The above picture was taken in the Lewis Creek area just off a reverted logging road. The hardpan road is a little-known back access to Heybrook Lookout but I didn't go that far . . . satisfied to get high enough to catch some of the late afternoon sunshine on my skin . . . and to do silly things, like the fig leaf routine.

I mention detractors because I get them every once in awhile . . . visitors to my blog that have to click through the 'nudity warning' and then complain that there is nudity and 'don't I have any shame?'

Well, I don't know. Do I need a supply of shame? Or is it my critic who needs to examine just why he clicked through to a naturist's blog.

Me? I don't particularly care. I'm a nudist and I will not imbibe in any of the shame they somehow think I need. When I am nude . . . open to the world around me . . . I feel wholesome and good. If that leaf were not there in the image . . . if it were not so strategically placed, then the message would be entirely different. Nude, I hide nothing and pretend nothing. Cover . . . even so minimally . . . it is an entirely different story. In any case, it was fun doing the image . . . and life is too short to get uptight over a few critics.

More images from this hike are in my JAlbum here.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Hot Springs in Cold Weather

. . . or, how do you get out of that wonderful water and get dressed without freezing your buns off?

I'm often amused by the hopping antics some soakers go through after a long and relaxing natural hot spring soak when they have to get out of the toasty warmth into cold weather. Some delay the inevitable for as long as possible and then go through a mad rush to find clothing and cover themselves amid 'brrrrrrrr's and wrapped arms around chests and one step, two step gingerly hopping on snow while shivering and declaring, 'Damn, it's cold out here!' Others again delay and quickly slip back into the pool amid growing worries that the day is getting long . . . the sun is sinking and sooner or later they're gonna have to face the cold if they ever want to get back home. It's only going to get colder out.

I'm amused because it's not that traumatic an event . . . if you're prepared and you know the secret to getting out of a superheated hot spring pool into freezing cold weather without yourself becoming a popsicle. Let's debunk one myth; you're not going to freeze. You might feel a little bit of the cold . . . how much depends on how you get out of the pool and whether the clothes you wore in are still dry. Two steps ...

Keep Your Clothes Dry

This is the 'be prepared' part. It does your soul no good if you emerge comfortable and toasty warm from a hot springs pool only to have to put on wet and cold (perhaps frozen) clothes. While you were wearing those clothes on the hike in they stayed warm along with your body . . . they wicked out sweat from the exertion of the hike. It doesn't take much time for really cold weather to freeze and stiffen those trace amounts of perspiration and moisture in your clothing into a shivering nightmare of redressing.

An intelligent hiker practices layering, avoids cotton and then forgets that these principles only work when the heat of your body is powering the system. Remove the clothes to partake in a soak, and your clothes are now subject to the environment on their own. Any moisture in them will freeze if the temperature is low enough . . . and you have to put that clothing back on . . . frozen as it is. Even if temperatures are not below freezing, there is nothing more miserable than having to put wet socks and boots back on for the hike out. As a hiker who hikes nude in cold conditions all the time (and enjoys it), I can attest that if my feet are dry and warm the rest of the body does not feel the cold quite as much. Get my feet wet and bone-chilling cold and I won't be hiking long.

Soooooo . . . while you are soaking, keep your clothes dry! That starts with having somewhere to keep them while you are soaking away. The simplest answer is to carry a couple of plastic trash bags in your pack and use them to keep your clothes out of the elements. Plastic sacks also come in handy to sit or stand on and keep bare skin off snow, ice or frozen surfaces.

Ideally, segregate outer damp or wet clothing from drier inner clothing using two plastic sacks. Don't forget to protect your boots from the elements as well. A good approach is to pack a second set of dry inners wrapped around an activated hand warmer to keep them warm for when you need them. Whatever approach you take, the idea is not simply to hang your clothes from a tree or a post nearby, but to keep them dry and warm for a comfortable hike out. The sacks you used to protect your clothes can then be used to pick up and pack out a little of the trash left by less considerate users.


Emerge in stages

This is the real secret to getting out of a hot spring into cold weather. Don't just hop out and madly try to dry yourself while shivering. Dry yourself from the top down while still in the pool, rising higher as you dry. For example, sit up exposing the upper chest and towel your head, shoulders and arms off. Stand up and towel down to the waist . . . and so on until your merely have step out of the pool (perhaps onto the plastic of one of your trash bags) to dry off your lower legs and feet. The process is as simple as it gets yet I see few who practice it, instead ending up hopping around sopping wet and barefooted on the snow complaining about how cold it is!

Water (and water-dripping humans) conduct heat 50 times more effectively than still air. You've probably spent a good part of an hour soaking in 105 to 115F water . . . superheated your body . . . and then you complain when the environment soaks that heat away 50 times faster than if your skin were dry? Stay in the pool and rise in stages to dry yourself off, limiting the amount of time wet skin is in contact with cold air. It works . . . trust me.

Three parts of your anatomy are particularly susceptible to the cold. They are: your scalp, your hands and your feet (no, that other part is not as vulnerable as you might think). The scalp, with close surface blood vessels, radiates as much as 30% of the available heat in your body. The hands and feet have limited peripheral circulation and especially feel the cold. Pay special attention to drying these areas and then get them covered and out of the cold soonest (hat, boots and gloves).

How you dry is just as important. Forget thick, plush bath towels. They soak and hold water without really drawing enough moisture off your skin to be dry. Drying with a cotton bath towel in cold weather is like re-wetting your skin with the absorbed water after a few passes . . . and that towel is now cold as heck! And heavy to hike back out with because you're hiking the water out.

I prefer using a hiker's chamois (like the chamois we dry our cars with but marketed for backpackers). This item will suck an amazing amount of water from your skin, works wet and is easily renewed by wringing out. Another cheap alternative are the Shammy's and Sham-Wow's now advertised on TV. These viscose materials also make great cloths to use in the pool to wipe the face, cover the head, etc. A small chamois dries you much more effectively than a cotton towel.


Dry, you withstand the cold better . . . your superheated skin guarantees it. A small, dry cotton washcloth finishes the drying of head, hands and feet. Get a knit cap on your head, then fresh, dry socks with the boots . . . gloves if needed. Then you can get around to dressing the rest of yourself, knowing that most of the moisture is off your skin and your not going to saturate your inner, wicking garments on the way out because your skin is still slightly damp.

Better yet, stay nude and see how long you can withstand the cold with the heat you've absorbed from the hot springs. You'd be surprised at your endurance level if you keep moving and generating additional heat. Of course, know your limits and dress when even the first hints of cooling too much (mild hypothermia) become evident. You'd be surprised at how pleasant cold weather nude hiking feels . . . especially after a hot springs soak!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Goldmyer Hot Springs Access Update

As of September 8th access to the Middle Fork Valley via the Middle Fork Road was shut down completely at the forest boundary (about 5 miles from the end of pavement) so that road and bridge repairs could begin. No one will be allowed past this point, even hikers and mountain bikers. The contractor will be working on multiple sites at the same time, and they do not want any possible accidents with visitors getting in the way of their machinery. They will be working for at least 3 months.

This means that the 'short' route to Goldmyer this fall will be from Snoqualmie Pass via the Snow Lake Trail and onto the signed Rock Creek trail #1013 which climbs the crest (2,500ft gain) and then drops down to the Middle Fork trail to Goldmyer. This route is appoximately 11 miles each way. The Forest Service currently has a section of the PCT closed above Goldmyer due to a fire and have re-routed the PCT hikers down into the Middle Fork past Goldmyer and up the Snow Lake Trail. Other hikers using this route to Goldmyer could perhaps get a glimpse at some serious back-packers and also perhaps hear some tales of the trail while soaking at Goldmyer!

Bagby Hot Springs: A letter to the Acting Ranger

[Addendum: Another excellent example of Forest Service approaches to nudity (even in verrrrrrrrrrry conservative Utah) can be seen with this official Forest Service sign on the Three Forks Trail to Diamond Hot Springs; which reads, in part "While nudity is not prohibited on Forest Service trails ... please use discretion."





Alison S. Nelson
Acting District Ranger
Clackamas River Ranger District
Estacada Ranger Station
595 NW Industrial Way
Estacada, OR 97023

Dear Ms. Nelson,

Thank you for your thoughtful response to the ideas presented to you by representatives of the nudist/naturist population. I would like to offer my own thoughts on the issue of nudity at Bagby Hot Springs and why I believe a nudity ban at the springs is shortsighted and not in keeping with what most visitors and citizens expect. I do not represent any particular niche of nudism . . . we are full of conservatives and liberals like any segment of society. What bonds us all together is our belief that nudity does not have to be considered shameful or connected with inappropriate behavior. It can be a beautiful way to experience nature and feel good about the body we were graced with.

I would hope that you will carefully examine the basis of the recently-enforced nudity ban in light of:

1. The original intent of the Forest Service Order, dating from 1992,
2. The tradition of clothing-optional soaking, and the acceptance by rangers during the entire time the Order was in place . . . and what caused the sudden re-interpretation of the Order,
3. Approaches by rangers to continue and allow traditional clothing-optional enjoyment of hot springs at other sites,
4. The almost universal tradition for enjoying hot springs sans clothing in both historical and contempory societies, and that
5. Discreet, simple nudity by respectful soakers is not made a scapegoat to solve a larger law-enforcement problem caused by an influx of partiers and troublemakers.




MH-215-20-92 seems to have been originally intended to apply to developed camp sites and has only been recently interpreted as applying to the area around Bagby Hot Springs as a 'developed recreation area'.

My reasoning for this analysis is:

1) The Title of the Order, "Camping, Parking, etc."

2) Para 1. which states "Parking or leaving a vehicle outside a parking space assigned to one's own camp site.

3) Para 2. "Possessing, parking or leaving more than two vehicles except motorcycles or bicycles per camp unit unless otherwise designated."

4) Para 4. "Being in the area between 10pm and 6am except a person who is camping or is visiting a person camping in the area.

Paragraph 3 is the item under contention as it Prohibits being "Publicly Nude", ostensibly within the context of the other three paragraphs, i.e., within a developed camping area. The original intent of this order was to control behavior within the limited scope of developed campgrounds and at the time of issue Bagby was not considered within the scope of the original intent.

Bagby Hot Springs are not campgrounds (developed or otherwise). There are campgrounds nearby but clearly separated by distance and sight from the hot springs site. Reaching the springs requires a reasonable-length hike, negating two of the prohibitions related to parking and vehicles associated with this Order . . . thereby leading me to further believe that the intent was not to regulate nudity at the springs.

Use of the words 'assigned' 'per camp unit' 'visiting' again imply a reservation-based activity like getting a campsite for the night rather than the more spontaneous activity of visiting the hot springs for a chance to soak. The major thrust of this Order is directed at developed camgrounds and I believe that it is improper to re-interpret the Order as applying to Bagby, which is not a campground within the spirit of the original order.

On those grounds I believe the status quo should be returned to cease application of the intent of the Order to apply to anything but developed camp sites.



That reasoning aside, Bagby has a long history of clothing-optional use, as the public is well-aware. Any search for information on the hot springs will return the clothing-optional nature of the springs. Visitors and hikers have ample notice and opportunity to make an informed decision.

Clothing-optional use of natural hot springs has a long and rich tradition . . . from Native Americans use as a neutral parrying ground to Eastern ritual on the sanctity of soaking. Soaking sans clothing has the practical aspect in that these communal waters . . . rich in minerals . . . are not contaminated by soils and detergents on bathing suits. The public seeks out these special places to relax and interact with nature . . . to leave the hubris of the city behind for a few hours.

Similar approaches to the use and control of natural hot springs take place at:

- Cougar (Terwilliger) Hot Springs, where clothing optional is the norm, is so signed, and under the control of Hoodoo Recreation Services for the McKenzie Ranger District. Cougar is 'developed' somewhat to the same extent of Bagby and also has developed campsites nearby,

- Mcreadie Hot Springs right by the highway is accepted as clothing-optional; as are numerous other hot springs located within the tolerant State of Oregon,

- Similar approaches are seen to the north in the State of Washington with Olympic Hot Springs on National Park lands signed as clothing-optional, and Baker Hot Springs within the Mt Baker National Forest traditionally clothing-optional.


From a personal and professional point of view of aiding the owner of Scenic Hot Springs near Stevens Pass in Washington, I can attest that the typical user of a clothing-optional hot spring is respectful, discreet and simply looking for a return to nature and relaxation for a short time from society. Problems only arise when civilization intrudes itself into the special nature of the hot spring in the form of large crowds, alcohol and parties that bring conservatism attacking the needful innocence of the soak. Native Americans knew this . . . Eastern tradition holds the hot spring in reverence. Clothing was never allowed to stain the magical powers of the hot spring. A soak any other way is considered sacrilegious by many.

Extending a 17 year old Forest Service order from controlling activities within developed campgrounds to Bagby Hot Springs in defiance to the original intent denies the tradition of the hot spring an essential and recognized character . . . the almost universally recognized clothing-optional nature of use . . . from Native Americans to present day citizens.

Respectfully,

/and signed, mailed Sept 30th, 2009/

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