A week in the High Desert

[jessbee]

Well, it's been a while since I've been able to hike. A couple weeks after ACL surgery a friend of mine invited me on a desert camping trip to which I said, oh heck yes. Although there wasn't a whole lot of hiking involved, per se, there are some cool places highlighted in my blog about this trip, plenty of pictures to feast your eyes upon, and some short (under 1 mile) jaunts that I suppose would qualify this as a trip report.

I'll be taking on more and more adventures as my recovering knee begins to realize that this is what I love to do.

Some of the stops:
John Day National Monument
Alvord Desert
Malheur Cave
Steens Mountain

I hope you enjoy, and please take care of your knees.

The whole trip, in words.

And the trip in pictures.

[retired jerry]

Good to see you're back hiking, a little, and writing about it.

[Don Nelsen]

Hi Jessbee,

I read your blog and enjoyed it and your photos. You are an excellent writer! Thanks for the treat.

Don

[backcountryhunter]

I am so jealous.

I love Steens Mountain and Trout Creek Mountains. Did you partake in any of the local hot springs?

damn I have to get back out there!!

[jessbee]

After days in 95 degree heat, the Hot Springs didn't appeal to me but many others in my group spent time soaking. I preferred the random mountain rivers and creeks we jumped in.

It is really nice out there. Now that I'm home I can appreciate it even more. There is a quiet and solitude out there, that you can get for miles and miles around. Compared with this weekend's jaunt to Ape Cave, well the Steens is a paradise. Too bad it's such a comittment to get out there. I guess that makes it even more special.

I was wondering what it's like during the winter? I'd love to get back there when there's snow on the ground.