A federal judge on Friday upheld the federal government's ban on climbing at Cave Rock, a sacred site of the Washoe Tribe.

U.S. District Judge Howard McKibben dismissed a lawsuit filed by The Access Fund, a climbers group. The decision allows the U.S. Forest Service to finalize a management plan at the Nevada site.

The Washoe Tribe welcomed the ruling. Traditionally, only medicine men are allowed near Cave Rock.

Get the Story:
Judge tells climbers to keep off Cave Rock (The Reno Gazette-Journal 2/1)
Judge Rules Forest Service Cave Rock Management Plan can Proceed (Washoe Tribe 1/31)

Relevant Links:
Washoe Tribe - http://www.washoetribe.us
The Access Fund - http://www.accessfund.org
Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit - http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu

Related Stories:
Appeals court says sacred sites worthy of protection (09/07)
Climbing group backs voluntary ban at sacred rock (07/06)
Climbers say sacred rock belongs to everyone (04/20)
Climbing group sues over ban at sacred site (12/16)
Forest Service upholds ban on climbing at sacred site (11/11)
Forest Service bans climbing at sacred rock (07/11)