Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge, South East Oregon

[Broca]

is among my stops on "Summer Vacation" coming up in early May. I talked to the manager yesterday and it sounds in my line. I visited the Sheldon Refuge about 90 miles south (in Nevada) two years ago. I plan on doing a little volunteer work for a day or two and then backpacking about for a week or so.

Anyone have any first hand accounts of that area (what the hell second hand are fine too)? Don't worry I'll take all the Democrat candidate stickers off my vehicle before coming.

[illflem]

1. Never visited the refuge

but have spent considerable time at the many hot springs in the area.
Don't miss them.

[classof56]

2. Hart Mountain--been there, done that, great place!

Amazing hot spring/tub right at the top where you can soak and enjoy the stars like you've never seen 'em before (providing you're there after dark, of course!). If you have time, head on over to Frenchglen, drive up Steens Mountain, and if you have even more time, check out the Alvord Desert on the east side of the Steens. Oh, and don't forget to go through the Malheur Wildlife Refuge while you're out that way. This is one of my favorite parts of Oregon, the Southeast corner. A trip to remember! I could go on and on, but will stop now. Be prepared to enjoy a whole lot of solitude! I've only been to Hart Mtn once, camped there, but have been to all the other places I mention many times. Always happy to share my experiences and memories, but strongly suggest you go make your own. You won't regret it! Good thinking about the bumper stickers, though!

I'm an imported Oregonian (crossed the border 38 years ago). Love every inch of this incredible state!

[doubleplusgood]

3. yes, check out Steens Mtn, too

I've been there a couple of times, but haven't camped or hiked there...gotta do that myself one of these days. Incredible views of the Alvord desert, though, 5000 feet bleow the east rim of the Steens. With the low snow levels (in the Cascades, at least) I wonder if the Steens loop road will be opened early this year.

Besides Frenhglen (never stayed hthere) you might want to check out the Hotel Diamond bed & breakfast, in Diamond, sort of between Steens & Malheur. Actually, the Hotel pretty much IS Diamond, about 10 miles east of state road 205 from Burns to Frenchglen, IIRC. If you want peace & quiet this is a great place to stay.

Oh, and yes, I've been warned against having certain "politically incorrect (for SE Oregon) bumper stickers on your car, especially Sierra Club, etc.

[Broca]

4. Thanks for the information

I talked to the manager of Hart last week. He said the roads are fine for my Honda Civic Hybrid so I can save a couple of hundred dollars on gas versus using my old higher clearance pickup. I plan on putting in a couple of days of volunteer work taking down old fence left by the cattlemen (like the miners, they seldom cleanup for themselves). Then I plan on a week or so of backpacking and dayhiking.

Other volunteers will come a month or so later and continue the fence project. One group from Oregon and another from the National Sierra Club Outings runs a week long project their every year. According to the manager only 18 miles of fence to go.

I just ordered about $50 worth of topographical maps for my walkabout.

[stevedeshazer]

5. I was there four days ago

Roads weren't bad, your Civic should be just fine.

There was a lot of snow on the mountain, which we could see from the HQ, but the Warner Valley was snow-free, and sadly, not much water in this drought year.

Southeastern Oregon is incredible, and a very well-kept secret. I hope it never is overrun with people.