Discover the Desert in a Day

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The Last Darkness

The Last Darkness

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Western Meadowlark Dawn Chorus

Western Meadowlark Dawn Chorus

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Ryan “Dirtmonger” Sylva, ODT thru-hiker 2017

Ryan “Dirtmonger” Sylva, ODT thru-hiker 2017

“To me, it’s a thru-hike in an isolated place that promotes a conversation in land management, ethics and usage. Hiking across a vast and remote landscape and having a random and chance encounter with cowboys and hunters to discuss how ‘all of us’ should treat the land, how we all have a responsibility, no matter our political leanings, really showed me the pulse of the people in rural areas, especially here out west.”

More on the Oregon Desert Trail

How-To: Experience the Best of Oregon's High Desert - practical advice from ODT hikers

Author: Renee Patrick |  Published: February 3, 2023 |  Category: How-to Taking on a challenging remote hike like the Oregon Desert Trail can be intimidating, but hikers from all experience […]

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An Oregon Desert Trail Adventure on the Owyhee River

  Oregon Desert Trail Coordinator Renee Patrick shares her exploratory packraft alternate on the Oregon Desert Trail (ODT) in the Owyhee Canyonlands. Getting to the West Little Owyhee River where […]

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Discover the Desert in a Day

By on March 29, 2024 | Posted in: Where-to

Author: Renee Patrick  |  Published: March 29, 2024  | Category: Where-To This article originally appeared in The Bulletin on March 22, 2024. These short hikes will give you a taste […]

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Imagine Sutton Mountain

By on November 9, 2023 | Posted in: Uncategorized

Author: Renee Patrick |  Published: November 10, 2023 This article originally appeared in the Fall + Winter 2023 Desert Ramblings Hiking for a plan to permanently protect this landscape. When […]

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solo ODT hiker looking over river

Thoughtful Gear Choices for an Oregon Desert Trail Hike

By on September 6, 2023 | Posted in: How-To

Author: Renee Patrick  | Published: September 6, 2023  | Category: Deep Dive Gear is always a hot topic of conversation among long-distance backpackers. Good gear choices for a challenging route […]

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a hiker views the landscape

How-To: Experience the Best of Oregon’s High Desert – practical advice from ODT hikers

By on February 3, 2023 | Posted in: How-To

Author: Renee Patrick |  Published: February 3, 2023 |  Category: How-to Taking on a challenging remote hike like the Oregon Desert Trail can be intimidating, but hikers from all experience […]

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Using a Gate Cheater

How-To: Tips for Opening and Closing Barb Wire Gates

By on January 30, 2023 | Posted in: How-To

Author: TJ Paulsen |  Published: January 30, 2023 |  Category: How-To Hikers will run into more gates than you might expect across the high desert. TJ Paulsen completed the entire […]

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Dark Night Skies in the High Desert

By on March 21, 2022 | Posted in: Profile

Author: Renee Patrick  |  Published: March 21, 2022  |  Category: Profile Meet ONDA volunteer Rachel Kato and learn more about her contribution to help people understand the importance of the […]

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Meet Lily Pifferini-Carter

By on December 29, 2021 | Posted in: Profile

In 2021, ONDA launched the Hillis Internship, a paid internship program that offers young people a more equitable pathway to become our next conservation leaders. Lily Pifferini-Carter started in October […]

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Panorama of Painted Canyon

Stories from the Oregon Desert Trail

By on November 1, 2021 | Posted in: How-To, Where-to

Author: Renee Patrick  |   Category: Where-to Getting ready to go on a day-long, week-long or month-long adventure on the Oregon Desert Trail? You can learn so much by seeing how […]

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Oregon Desert Trail thru-hiker at the Owyhee terminus

Return to the Oregon Desert Trail

By on August 30, 2021 | Posted in: Look Back

Carly “Quill” Swisher started a thru-hike of the Oregon Desert Trail in the late spring of 2020, but had to get off in McDermitt, Nevada. Undeterred, she went back June […]

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Summer Lake Hot Springs

18 Trail Towns
Along the Oregon Desert Trail

By on August 24, 2021 | Posted in: Where-to

Author: Renee Patrick  | Updated: August 24, 2021  |  Category: Where-To Curious about where to find a shower, meal, or museum while you are exploring the high desert? The extensive […]

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