Routes vs. Trails: Take Your Hiking to the Next Level

Routes vs. Trails: Take Your Hiking to the Next Level

By Renee Patrick on July 9, 2019 | Posted in:

Routes, unmarked and often undefined, offer a totally different backcountry experience than hiking a developed trail like the PCT, and they tap into a different set of skills. An impressive thru-hiking resume alone doesn’t prepare one for the route-finding, remote and rugged terrain, and navigational demands of a long-distance route. Learn the difference between...

Only You Can Prevent
Sagebrush Fires

By Jeremy Austin on July 1, 2019 | Posted in: How-To

You might think of forests when you think “wildfire,” but, as OPB reported in May, nearly 75 percent of all acres burned in the west over the past two decades were on rangelands — not forest. As someone who lives in or visits sagebrush country, you have an important responsibility to help prevent human-caused...

John Cunningham, ONDA member and volunteer

By Corinne Handelman on June 6, 2019 | Posted in:

Restoration is hard slow work. It takes hold, or it doesn’t, in fits and starts. The immensity of the need can be discouraging, but we must carry on. I am so thankful ONDA carries on.

Karen Garber, volunteer since 2017

By Corinne Handelman on June 6, 2019 | Posted in:

So glad we got to do a stewardship trip with ONDA this summer, and now I’m more inspired than ever to start hiking the Oregon Desert Trail in bits and pieces.

Abert Rim

By staff on May 1, 2019 | Posted in:

Abert Rim is the largest exposed fault scarp in North America and, from the top, you will have a view of Lake Abert, Oregon’s most saline lake. Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep along this hike. A herd was introduced in 1974 to help perpetuate the species. Other wildlife you might see includes...

Business Members

By Lace Thornberg on March 25, 2019 | Posted in:

Oregon Natural Desert Association is proud to work alongside businesses, large and small, to accomplish our conservation goals. These business members contribute to our mission by providing funding, product donations, and event hosting support. And, their support shows their commitment to protecting Oregon’s high desert lands, waterways and wildlife. Meet our partners who make...

Happy Birthday!
Oregon Desert Trail Turns Five

By Renee Patrick on March 20, 2019 | Posted in: How-To

In the spring of 2014, ONDA released a basic map-set for an ambitious route we’d started to call the “Oregon Desert Trail.” It wasn’t long before a few hikers set their sights on completing the route. Over the past five years, we’ve developed and refined many new resources to make our challenging eastern Oregon...

ODT Photo Monitoring

By Lisa Foster on February 28, 2019 | Posted in:

Steens Mountain Wilderness Trail Work along Big Indian Gorge

By Renee Patrick on February 21, 2019 | Posted in:

Backpack into Big Indian Gorge on this trail work trip.

Fremont National Recreation Trail Work for National Public Lands Day

By Renee Patrick on February 21, 2019 | Posted in:

Help maintain trail with the local community on a scenic section of trail in the Fremont Forest for National Public Lands Day.