PROJECT DETAILS:  This is a strenuous backcountry fence pull up Lower Wildhorse Canyon.  Because of the difficulty of this trip and potential for inclement weather, we need to keep this trip to experienced fence pullers who are also hardy backpackers. 

The backpack up Lower Wildhorse Canyon is a steep 3 mile climb with lots of switch-backs on loose gravel followed by a flatter 2 miles along the historic Barrington Trail.  Camp is in a mature aspen grove at 7000' yielding views of the Alvord Desert, Pueblo Mountains and beyond.  Water can be filtered from a spring.  There is under a mile of fence to roll, however it is mostly down and tangled in sage and rabbit brush.

WHEN: Plan to arrive in Fields, OR on the night of August 8th.  We will take the day to hike in on Aug 9th and pack out on the 12th.

BACKGROUND: Steens Mountain Wilderness contains the nation's first cow-free wilderness.  Removing cows and ending grazing on this 100,000 acres of Steens Mountains has been key to the restoration of many of the headwaters and fragile desert meadows.  Equally important, the removal of fences allows for wildlife such as sage grouse and antelope to migrate safely without getting caught in the wire.  It also erases the remaining trace of man, giving the wild back to wilderness. 

COST: Free to ONDA members, $45 for non-members.

A FULL ITINERARY, INCLUDING WHAT TO BRING, WILL BE PROVIDED UPON REGISTRATION.