Reynolds Pond Accessible Trail Construction #2

About the place

ONDA’s conservation work takes place on the traditional lands of the Northern Paiute, Wasco, Warm Springs, Bannock and Shoshone people, as well as ceded lands of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and on lands currently managed by the Burns Paiute Tribe and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Many Indigenous peoples live in Oregon’s high desert region today, including members of the Burns Paiute Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (Wasco, Warm Springs and Paiute), the Klamath Tribes (Klamath, Modoc and Yahooskin) and the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe.

Located just 15 miles east of Bend, the Oregon Badlands Wilderness is a 30,000-acre area containing fascinating lava flows and ancient junipers. This area was designated as wilderness in 2009, and was named for its harsh terrain and fantastic rock formations. Within this landscape, one can find incredible displays of desert wildflowers, dry river canyons, castle-like rock formations, and Native American pictographs.

About the stewardship work

In partnership with the Prineville District of the Bureau of Land Management, ONDA will lead a day of trail work and fence removal at Reynolds Pond, just outside the Badlands Wilderness, to support the construction of an accessible trail.

This single-day experience is a great opportunity for your first trip out with ONDA. No previous experience is needed to attend. All that is required is a love of the high desert, a big smile and a willingness to learn.

Trip timeline

• Saturday, September 21, 9 a.m.: Volunteers will meet at the Reynolds Pond trailhead, about a 30-minute drive from Bend. Specific directions to the project location will be sent to confirmed volunteers before the trip.

Difficulty

Level 2-3

Projects will consist of a variety of tasks, including removing rocks and clipping back vegetation, as well as obsolete barbed wire fence removal. Volunteers can expect to spend their day hiking on uneven ground and undertaking lifting, bending, and other tasks that require a moderate level of physical exertion.

Participant responsibilities

Participants will need to have transportation to the trailhead, a 30 minute drive from Bend accessible by any passenger vehicle. Participants should be prepared to be away from their vehicles all day and bring a day pack with lunch, snacks and water. If it’s a cooler winter day, hot tea can be nice to stay warm. In the event of sunny and warmer weather, please bring up to four liters of water capacity for the day, and consider an electrolyte replacement drink or mix to help you stay hydrated. Sturdy hiking shoes/boots, long pants, and eye protection are required for this trip (sunglasses or prescription eyeglasses are suitable eye protection).

Gear provided

ONDA will provide all tools required for the work as well as extra work gloves and eye protection. We will bring extra water, snacks, and expert leadership and perspective on current high desert conservation priorities.

Registration

An ONDA registration application and medical form are required for this trip.

Opens July 16

You will receive a confirmation email within 2 weeks of submitting your form. The confirmation email will provide information regarding which trips you are on the “participant list” for, and which trips are full, and therefore you have been placed on the “wait list.”

Six weeks before the start of the trip, the trip leader will send out an RSVP to make sure everyone is still able to participate. Based on RSVPs, open spaces will be backfilled with people from the waitlist.

Three weeks before the trip start date, registered and confirmed participants will receive driving instructions, maps, and additional information in an email sent by the trip leader

If you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact the trip leader.