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High Desert Outings 2009
High Desert Chair: Anne Mitchell
The Sierra Club High Desert Committee traditionally hosts a variety of trips which include backpacks and basecamps, gorgeous day hikes, inspiring service projects, enlightening archeological, ecological, and historical tours and lots of desert adventure. We sponsor a variety of trips partly because we enjoy visiting the desert, but we are also trying to expose new people to the wonders of the Great Basin and develop advocates who will help protect desert wildlands for the future.
Oregon Chapter Volunteers Pueblo Mountain
At work and at rest - Paula Surman
“And, if there is a choice
Of a place to spend
Uncountable years to come,
I wish to be left to the desert's peace
And the warmth of the desert’s sun”
“For I know the soul
That I once possessed
Turned loose on a sagebrush sea,
Would hug spooky knees to a spectral chest
In ghostly ecstasy.”
Author unknown, found on a homestead cabin door
Calendar of Outings and Events
Join us for a season of great trips to the beautiful high desert wildlands of southeast Oregon. Explore this wonderful country and learn about the conservation issues involved in the work for permanent protection of our public lands.
Experience these outstanding areas on day hikes or backpacking. Participants are responsible for their own transportation, food, camping gear, and encouraged to help with camp chores. Pre-registration is required.
… Hiking in these remote areas may be over rugged rocky terrain and include stream crossings. All hikers are required to
wear sturdy hiking boots.
… Passenger cars are often inadequate for exploring these rugged high desert areas. Be sure to check with your trip leader
about road conditions.
… Trip leaders are trained in outdoor leadership and wilderness first-aid.
Spring Event
Wed March 11, 2009 6:30-8:30 pm
The High Desert Committee is co-hosting (with the Oregon Natural Desert Association) a gathering to celebrate our 20th year of advocacy for protection of desert wildlands. Along with food, drink, and music we will be sharing information about current issues effecting high desert lands and talking about outings both groups are offering this year. The event is free and will be held at the new Club office.
Wed. March 11, 6:30-8:30 pm
Oregon Chapter of Sierra Club Office
1821 SE Ankeny
Portland OR
John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival
April 3-5, 2009
Join us at the Malheur Field Station for a weekend of birding around Burns, Oregon. Dinner and a conservation talk will be provided on Friday night. On Saturday we will lead a short early morning trip to a Sage Grouse lek, visit the Field Station and tour the refuge later in the morning, and end at the historic Diamond Hotel for lunch. There will be time for a nap or a short hike in the afternoon. You are also free to head to town to enjoy the art show or participate in festival activities on your own. Saturday night we will attend the bird festival banquet in Burns. Please request a separate flyer with trip details.
To register contact: Jill Workman (503) 654-8670
Spring Basin
May 1-3, 2009
Be one of the first to hike the new Spring Basin Wilderness! Explore the colorful hills and geology of Spring Basin along the John Day River fossil beds near Clarno and Pine Creek Reserve managed by the Warm Springs Confederated Tribes. We will stay in rustic, shared cabins at OMSI's Hancock Field Station & share dining hall meals. Cost is $75 per person.
To register contact: Rustica Carlos (503) 916-4703
Wildflowers, Landscapes and Shifting Climates: Learning the lessons of Sutton Mountain and the Painted Hills
May 15-17, 2009
(A Joint Sierra Club/Oregon Paleo Lands Institute Field Trip)
This two-day exploration will be based in Mitchell, Wheeler County. We will start our days with pre-breakfast birding, and
then travel to Sutton Mountain where we will focus on ancient climates and ancient climate change--and its consequences as
demonstrated in the fossil record. It will also provide extraordinary opportunities for landscape and wildflower photography.
Hiking will be strenuous with numerous stops. Limited to 9 participants. Costs: $40. Covers lunches both days, rental of hall
on Friday evening, and refreshments and a light breakfast on Saturday. Accommodations: in Mitchell motels or B&B,
primitive camping near Sutton Mountain, or Forest Service campground 15 miles east of Mitchell.
To register contact: Irene Vlach (503) 293-4182
Fort Rock/Christmas Lake
May 23-25, 2009
Spend the long weekend SE of Bend exploring the area between Fort Rock and Christmas Lake. We will take easy day hikes to visit the local Wilderness Study Areas and geological features. One of the goals of the trip is to assess the holiday weekend recreation use of the “lost forest” and “sand dunes” which are both areas with sensitive ecological values.
To register contact: Borden Beck (503) 234-6723
Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge
June 18-21, 2009
Hart Mountain is a beautiful example of how high desert lands can recover from grazing. We will set up a base camp at the hot springs campground on Thursday and go out on day hikes to explore the refuge on Friday and Saturday. Soak your sore muscles away in the hot spring pool under the stars in the evenings.
To register contact: Heidi Dahlin (503) 631-2855
Steens Mountain: Fence Pull / Service Trip
July 17-21, 2009
Want to help add a bit more “wild” to Oregon’s newest wilderness? Join us in removing the visual blight of redundant fencing that’s also a danger to hikers and wildlife. Trip participants will pull and roll old barbed wire fence. We will also have downtime to explore the area. The work is strenuous and the climate hot, but you’ll walk away with a feeling of accomplishment!
To register contact: Harry Anderton (503) 241-7035
StoneHouse: Activist / Grazing Monitoring
August 13-16, 2009
Join us to explore this little visited WSA on the north end of Steens. In addition to visiting the escarpment for some great views, we will continue monitoring grazing practices in the adjoining allotment for a fourth year. This would be a good opportunity to witness the effects of grazing on the landscape along with BLM/rancher efforts to improve management.
To register contact: Ken Snider (503) 674-9574
If you would like additional or updated information about 2008 outings and events, you may sign up to be on the HDC email alert list by sending an email to Anne Mitchell requesting to be placed on our email database. You will receive occasional action alerts as well as notification of trips we lead. If you include your address as well, you will receive a mailing/alert from us a couple of times a year.
