forever forest

forever forest, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

Hiking in the Indian Heaven Wilderness (between Mt Adams & Mt St Helens) in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The trees go on & on.

Only designated "wilderness" areas or national parks are protected from the horrors of clearcut logging which decimates much of the national forests. Scars from clearcuts are visible in the distance outside of the wilderness boundary. Many people that don't live in the west think national forests are protected but they are really cash cows for huge logging companies. Nothing is uglier than a Northwest clearcut. There has to be a better way to manage forests.