From September 9th to 14th, seven Onda volunteers helped the BLM remove obsolete barbed wire from the Mud Creek area in the Steens Wilderness. The last day of the trip was spent exploring the Donner und Blitzen River as well as Ankle and Mud Creek.  We found signs of beaver establishing a den in the area, potentially some of the first since they were extirpated from the area over a hundred years ago!

Crossing Indian Creek to start the four mile hike in.

Mule train of group gear crossing Indian Creek

Crossing over the ridge to Mud Creek with Steens Mountain on the horizon.

The final stretch down Mud Creek with Steens Mountain as the backdrop.

To work: Rolling fence!

Dragging fence out of trees.

Rolling Fence

Guiding the barbed wire through the trees to the roller.

The final length of fence for the trip:  Ending in the Donner und Blitzen River.

Looking up the valley wall from the river.

Burnt Juniper along the Donner und Blitzen River

Old Shack on the edge of the Donner und Blitzen River.