11.10.2012

COMING SOON (WITH YOUR HELP): THE OREGON DESERT TRAIL

Inventorying trail in the Pueblo Mountains.
Photo: Jeremy Fox
With 4000 members and supporters behind it, the Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) is mapping a 750 mile hike linking a series of remote, high desert areas between Bend and Idaho.  Beginning at Hart Mountain in the Oregon Badlands Wilderness and ending just short of the Idaho border at Lake Owyhee State Park, the trail passes through towns, water sources, and campsites as it guides hikers and horseback riders through ONDA's favorite high desert expanses.  The route relies entirely upon trails and jeep tracks that already exist: no new trails will be built.  Volunteers have spent the last few summers inventorying the route: they're half finished with the project and hope to complete the job in the next two years.

For more information about this project, contact Oregon Natural Desert Association, 50 S.W. Bond St., Suite 4, Bend; 541-330-2638, onda.org.

Sources: ONDA and OregonLive.