An Owyhee Mis-Adventure
Inspires Life-Long Mission

voices

Bonnie Olin, 2017 Volunteer of the Year

Bonnie Olin, 2017 Volunteer of the Year

“If you spend enough time in the wild, it will change you. So it was for me in Oregon’s high desert, especially in the Owyhee Canyonlands.” To support ONDA, Bonnie says, is to strive to protect the very values of Oregon’s high desert that are critical to the human experience: quiet and connectedness with nature. “Oregon’s desert,” she says, “broadens your understanding of your relationship to all living things.”

voices

John Cunningham, ONDA member and volunteer

John Cunningham, ONDA member and volunteer

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.

fact

Far from Big Macs

Far from Big Macs

There is a point in the Owyhee region, in northwestern Nevada, that is, at 115 miles away, as far away as you can get from a McDonalds in the U.S.

Source: http://www.datapointed.net/2010/09/distance-to-nearest-mcdonalds-sept-2010

Devin Dahlgren

David Rumsey has since purchased a piece of land in the Owyhee region along the Oregon Desert Trail near 5 Bar, the confluence of the West Little Owyhee and main Owyhee river, and generously offers passage through his land to ODT hikers in the area. We are jealous of his view.

Story by ONDA’s Oregon Desert Trail Coordinator Renee Patrick.

This photo of 5 Bar taken by Devin Dahlgren graced the cover of ONDA’s 2019 Wild Desert Calendar. 

 

Desert Travel Tips

These desert travel tips will help you travel safely through the high desert of eastern Oregon.

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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 Oregon Desert Trail Section 21 begins is a logistical challenge. I had arranged for a variety of rides to get from Bend to the river […]

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An Owyhee Mis-Adventure
Inspires Life-Long Mission

By on August 20, 2019 | Posted in: Profile

When a young David Rumsey’s car broke down in the far reaches of the Owyhee Canyonlands in the late 1970s, he didn’t have any of the devices we’ve come to rely on today. No GPS, no smart phone, no satellite locator beacon. Rumsey had a map, but at the time the USGS 1:250,000 scale...

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Anderson Crossing

By on July 24, 2019 | Posted in:

Anderson Crossing is at the start of Section 21 of the ODT. This can be accessed by high clearance vehicles (high water years may make the trip impossible as you need to cross the seasonal Antelope Creek which could be too high). There are a few campsites on the east side of West Little...

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Birch Creek

By on July 24, 2019 | Posted in:

From the Birch Creek Ranch, follow an old road/trail that heads upstream for about a mile before the path disappears. If you want to continue hiking, stay on the east side of the drainage and follow game trails or make your way cross country as far into the Birch Creek Canyon as you like....

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Only You Can Prevent
Sagebrush Fires

By 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...

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Ask an Expert, “What’s up with the Owyhee?”

By on June 28, 2019 | Posted in:

Do you have burning questions about public lands that you’d rather ask a knowledgeable individual than Google? Curious about how to capture the magic of desert landscapes, why Oregon Natural Desert Association litigates to protect wildlife habitat, or how to be the most effective advocate for places you love? Bring your toughest questions and...

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Public Lands Comment Writing Workshop

By on June 27, 2019 | Posted in:

Public lands lovers, we need your help! This summer, the Bureau of Land Management is deciding how to manage 4.6 million acres of your public lands in southeastern Oregon, including the Owyhee Canyonlands. We need you to weigh in on the Draft Southeastern Oregon Resource Management Plan Amendment. Join us at the ONDA office to learn...

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Tim Neville, journalist

By on June 6, 2019 | Posted in:

“Oregon’s Owyhee reminds me a lot of Southern Utah’s red rock country… only dipped in fudge.”

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John Cunningham, ONDA member and volunteer

By 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.

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Southeastern Oregon Draft Resource Management Plan Released

By on May 31, 2019 | Posted in: In the News

A Disturbing Trend Hits Oregon’s Desert Public Lands Bureau of Land Management releases Draft Resource Management Plan for Southeastern Oregon, and conservation goals are ignored On May 31, 2019, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released a Draft Southeastern Oregon Resource Management Plan Amendment covering 4.6 million acres in the Owyhee Canyonlands. The public...

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How To: Raft the Lower Owyhee

By on May 14, 2019 | Posted in: How-To, Where-to

Rafting the lower Owyhee River is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that introduces you to some of the most spectacular and untouched high desert landscapes found in eastern Oregon. Deep canyon walls, riverside camps, and hikes climbing to sweeping vistas are all highlights of this trip. Just be sure to gather some information ahead of time...

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