An area of Mount Shasta that’s historically important and also sacred to a Native American tribe should be seeing fewer visitors over the next two years. Known as Panther Meadows – the area is located on the lower slopes of Mount Shasta. Caleen Sisk, Chief of the Winnemen Wintu tribe, says headwaters that flow from the mountainside at that spot are considered the “doorway to all life forms” and tribal members have made pilgrimages to the site for hundreds of years. The problem is that it’s often overrun by tourists. By one estimate, about 140,000 people go that general area every year and the large number of visitors have caused damage to the vegetation, soil, and ecosystem. To help deal with the situation, officials from the Shasta-Trinity National Forest imposed a number of restrictions earlier this month. Groups going to panther meadows will be restricted to ten people and no one will be able to set foot in the mountain springs. Public nudity, campfires, and letting dogs off their leashes are also prohibited. Violators will face up to six months in prison and a $5,000 dollar fine.
– John Oertl