BACKGROUND:
Hampton Butte and Cougar Well WSAs straddle the Deschutes-Crook County line along Highway 20, approximately 60 miles southeast of Bend.  The rolling hills of sagebrush and juniper forests in the WSAs are enhanced by many natural features, such as basalt outcroppings, a small canyon and perennial springs.  The WSAs provide key winter habitat for Pronghorn antelope, as well as supporting nesting populations of golden eagles and sage grouse (a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act).

The two WSA’s are separated by route OR-5-43, which is described as a BLM maintained road in the BLM’s 1991 Wilderness Study Report.  Current records do not indicate any routine maintenance of this route, and ONDA has reason to believe that it may have reverted back to an overgrown and rarely used way.  If further inventory indicates that this road is no longer being maintained by mechanized means, ONDA would recommend that Hampton Butte and Cougar Well WSA’s be combined to form one 29,035 acre Wilderness area.

PROJECT DETAILS:
From a car-accessible base-camp we will venture forth each day to gather data on the wilderness characteristics of these WSAs.  This is a great chance to learn to use GPS, and the other techniques that have allowed ONDA volunteers to inventory over 2 million acres of potential wilderness in eastern Oregon.  This is also a fantastic way to get to explore some virtually unknown WSAs which we will be working on getting designated in the next couple of years!

All participants are responsible for providing their own personal camping gear and food: we can provide all the work tools (GPS units, maps etc).

TIMELINE:
Plan to arrive at the campsite in evening on Thursday May 20th.  This will allow us to answer questions, and get an early start the next morning.  Friday and Saturday will be spent visiting (hiking within the WSA, driving to nearby locations) designated locations in the WSAs to document wilderness characteristics. Sunday morning we will pack up camp in the morning and head home.

GROUP SIZE:
Space is limited to 11 total participants.

REGISTRATION:
A FULL ITINERARY, DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS AND "WHAT TO BRING", WILL BE PROVIDED UPON REGISTRATION.  To aid in our planning, on your registration form "comments" please indicate: Your general hiking ability (high, medium, low) and if you have participated on this trip previously.