Hike

Little Three Creek Lake is a nice family hike

By Craig F. Eisenbeis Columnist

Last week, we had planned to hike on the west side of McKenzie Pass, but since all the roads were closed due to the fires, we had to come up with a different plan. My hiking buddy, who was already sheltering at our place due to Camp Sherman’s uncertain fire evacuation status, suggested we keep it simple with a short hike to Little Three Creek Lake. Off we went.

This is a great little hike for a spur-of-the-moment outing. Also, this trail might be a good choice for your visiting out-of-town relatives whose idea of an outdoor experience has previously been limited to a backyard barbecue. It’s definitely more challenging than a city sidewalk but still suitable for toddlers. My three-yearold daughter didn’t have any problem with this trail, although that particular hike took place 44 years ago.

The trail begins at a deadend loop at the far end of the Driftwood Campground at Three Creek Lake (the larger one). The trail is definitely easy, but there are a couple of short, steep pitches, with some rough, rocky stretches. The trail itself is well-worn but not particularly wellmarked or maintained. In many spots, the trail is braided by informal shortcuts that (usually) re-converge.

Since the fires were apparently discouraging or preventing much recreational travel, there was plenty of parking at the trailhead. On some other occasions we have had to park as far away as the lot at the beginning of the campground access road; so additional walking could be required on a more crowded day. As it happened we did not encounter a single soul on the trail or at the lake; we had the whole place to ourselves.

The hike to Little Three Creek Lake is billed as being about a mile one way, but it’s hardly that if you don’t do some additional exploration. In other words, this is a very short hike; but it still offers a sense of genuinely being in the mountains. Not every hike needs to be an endurance contest.

One of the features of this hike that always strikes me is that, at 6,700 feet, this is genuinely an alpine experience. Even in summer, there is always the feel that winterlike mountain snows may lurk just around the corner.

The trail from the campground turnaround loop winds through a mixed conifer forest that bears witness to the stress of surviving at such a high elevation. Alpine fir, mountain hemlock, and whitebark pine are the predominant tree species. Many of the trees are twisted and stunted. Some of the trees look like bonsais; some hemlocks grow flat like ground cover; still others manage to grow straight and tall. One wonders what determines the fate of an individual tree.

About the time you’re starting to feel warmed up, you’re almost there. You’ll see a little lake ahead on your left. Stop to enjoy its beauty, but don’t stop there. That’s not your destination. This little water feature is even littler than Little Three Creek Lake, which is just a little bit farther.

The expansive rock wall rising above these lakes is Tam McArthur Rim, which rises to more than 7,700 feet. It is the same high rock ridge, which, from Sisters, can be seen leading up to the east side of Broken Top. This distinctive geographic feature is named for Lewis A. “Tam” McArthur.

In 1914, Gov. Oswald West appointed McArthur to the Oregon Geographic Names Board. Two years later, McArthur became the board’s secretary, a position in which he served for the next 33 years. During that time, he literally wrote the book on “Oregon Geographic Names.” Ironically, the rim that bears his name is probably one of the few prominent geographic features in Oregon that he never visited!

Little Three Creek Lake offers spectacular views and photo opportunities and also presents a great little crash course in the natural world, including plenty of wildflowers earlier in the season. From August into October, it’s common to see thousands of tiny toads and frogs testing their new land legs. When these little creatures emerge from the water, they’re not much bigger than a pinkie fingernail.

On previous visits, we have often seen dark masses that look like fresh cow pies, but they turned out to be swarming, seething globs of tiny toads. When approached, these swarming amphibians madly dash away through the grass in a toadlet stampede. On this occasion, there were only “mere” hundreds of (mostly) frogs.

When our second son visited the lake at age five, he was fascinated with the swarm of little amphibians. Due to an earlier incident that involved a cape, climbing a tree, and an unexpected inability to fly, his arm was in a cast; and several of the

PHOTO BY CRAIG F. EISENBEIS Tam McArthur Rim rises above Little Three Creek Lake.

tiny creatures slipped inside the cast, causing yet another unexpected problem.

This lake is very shallow in spots, and it’s a great place to take a swim in the shadow of the mountains. It’s also a perfect site for a woodsy picnic lunch and family outing in the great outdoors. Plus, the “real” wilderness is literally only a few yards beyond the lake. In 2012, the Pole Creek Fire reached nearly to the lake but stopped just short of it. Vestiges of the fire are quite apparent on the drive to the trailhead, but are hardly noticeable during the hike or at the lake itself.

To visit Little Three

Creek Lake, take Elm Street south from Sisters. After crossing Whychus Creek, the road becomes Three Creek Lake Road (Forest Road 16). Follow it for a total of about 16 miles, the first 14 of which are paved. Those two miles of gravel road are in poor shape this year but still passable in a regular passenger car. Turn right onto Forest Road 900 just before reaching Three Creek Lake. The trail begins at the end of this short road. This has been a fee use area, but I did not see any signs to that effect. I’ve seen several sites where pass requirements have been suspended this year.

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Governors want more say in habitat rule for at-risk wildlife

By Keith Ridler Associated Press

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Governors from 22 Western states and Pacific territories want a bigger say in how the Trump administration defines habitat for wildlife protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The new definition could have implications for how states manage imperiled animals and plants, the Western Governors Association said in a letter Thursday to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The governors insist they are “co-sovereigns with the federal government“ and need an equal role in the decision.

The Trump administration is seeking to restrict what land and waterways can be protected as habitat for wildlife facing extinction, one of the latest ways it’s sought to roll back environmental safeguards.

The government is trying to redefine what habitat means for the purposes of enforcing the Endangered Species Act, the landmark law that has dictated wildlife protections in the U.S. since 1973. It released a proposed rule in early August.

Governors said they’re having to express their views through a public-comment process on the proposed rule, saying that isn’t enough input and they want the federal government to consult with states.

“It is important for federal agencies and state wildlife managers to maintain a close working relationship to ensure that any new interpretation or application of the term does not result in unintended consequences for state management of species,” according to the letter signed by Democratic Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, chairwoman of Western Governors Association, and Republican Idaho Gov. Brad Little, who’s vice chairman.

Once an imperiled species is listed under the act, federal officials designate critical habitat that it needs to survive. That can include where a species lives and areas where they don’t live but are deemed essential for survival. Such designations can come into conflict with private landowners and those

Commentary... Keeping a promise

By Edie Jones Columnist

In the August 26 issue of The Nugget we learned about a promise that has been granted to Sisters. A promise that will change the lives of 3- and 4-year-olds living in our school district. However, it is a promise that can’t be kept while schools are mandated to keep their doors closed.

That promise is money that has been awarded to the Sisters School District to provide 18 preschool spots to families that apply and qualify. Preschool Promise, awarded through the Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division, is designed to make available publicly funded, highquality, local and culturally relevant early childcare and education programs.

The concept that we would have enough families living in Sisters eligible to receive the grant may seem unrealistic to many. After all, it has been several years since our district has been able to meet the guidelines that allow the federally funded Head Start program to be here. However, demographics are changing and I applaud Joan Warberg, principle of the elementary school, and others who diligently put forth the effort to apply for the grant.

Receiving this money is a really good thing! Research indicates the benefits of such a program are far reaching, especially when they make the opportunity of early childhood education available to many who otherwise could not afford it.

Appreciation of the value of preschool has not always been recognized. I clearly remember quitting a preschool teaching assignment when three year olds were admitted into our program. Fully believing it was unwarranted, I exclaimed to my aunt, an elementary school principle, “Those babies should be home with their mommas!” She quickly admonished me with, “That depends on the mommas! If those mommas don’t play with their children, engage them in imagination, and allow them to get their hands dirty, those babies are far better off in school.”

How right she was, and how shortsighted I was, thinking all parents thought parenting was the most wonderful job in the world.

We now know that the more exposure kids have early on to the rich environment of a well-run preschool is invaluable! When it happens, kids are far better equipped to face all learning that will come their way. The more children interact with peers and adults

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different than their parents at an early age the easier it is for them to transition into kindergarten and learn.

I now know that preschool is essential — for all children. Lack of this kind of experience will influence more than how they adapt to kindergarten. It will also have a profound effect on how they learn as they continue through the grades.

I encourage anyone who has a preschool-aged child, who even wonders if they might qualify, to apply for the Preschool Promise. Your child’s learning will be enhanced.

In celebrating the Preschool Promise opportunity it is well worth mentioning there are now several other well-run preschool programs in Sisters. Please, if you are a parent of a preschooler, check them out. Your child will thank you.

In addition to preschools, there is another important program for parents with young ones in Sisters. Together For Children welcomes all families with children birth through 3 years old to join them for play and parent education. The website www.together-forchildren.org provides information about time and dates and ways to access their services during the pandemic.

Even though this article is specifically talking to parents of preschoolers it is also intended for everyone else in our community. Schools can’t allow kids in the building on a normal basis while the virus is present. I implore all of us do our part in wearing masks, washing hands, and keeping our distance so schools can get back to normal operation.

Remember the book “All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten” by Robert Fulghum? Let’s change those words to … Learned In Preschool…

“Learn to share, play fair, don’t hit, put things away, cleanup your own mess, hold hands and stick together” are extremely important lessons. If all of us adults had learned them well I venture to guess many of the messes we’ve experienced this past summer would cease to exist.

Let’s do our part so this important promise can be kept.

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