DESERT TRAIL MAP OREGON

Someday this new trail should extend all the way from Mexico to Canada, crossing the western High Desert of California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. So far sections totaling about 250 miles have been completed in Oregon, Nevada, and California.

The Oregon segments include desert areas with mountains and canyons in the eastern and southeastern parts of the state. Much of the trail here is on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) lands, and it also crosses some National Forests.

Camping Regulations: Camping and campfires are freely allowed on BLM and National Forest lands, except where otherwise prohibited. No permits are necessary.

For Further Information: Desert Trail Association, P.O. Box 537, Burns, OR 97720. Guides to several sections of the trail are available from this organization.

Oregon also has a new 360-mile trail, the Oregon Coast Trail, which follows the coastline for the length of the state. Some of the shoreline is wild and very beautiful, but at times the trail also follows roads and passes through developed areas.

Camping along the way is mainly limited to campgrounds, with hiker-biker camps at some locations next to the campgrounds. While most of the trail doesn’t offer a true wilderness camping experience, it may be of interest to some backpackers.

For more information contact the Trail Coordinator, Oregon State Parks, 525 Trade Street SE, Salem, OR 97310; (503)378-5012.

OREGON CAMPING RESOURCES

ORGANIZATIONS WHICH OFFER WILDERNESS CAMPING TRIPS

Desert Trail Association, P.O. Box 537, Burns, OR 97720. This organization offers backpacking

and other wilderness camping trips each year. Most trips are along the Desert Trail.

Mazamas, 909 Northwest 19th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209; (503)227- 2345. Mazamas is a mountain climber’s club, with a schedule which also includes backpacking, whitewater rafting, horsepacking, ski-mountaineering, and other wilderness camping trips.

Obsidians, P.O. Box 322, Eugene, OR 97440. This group sponsors some backpacking and climbing trips.

Trails Club of Oregon, P.O. Box 1243, Portland, OR 97207. The Trails Club of Oregon offers oc-[ casional backpacking and other wilderness j camping trips.

OUTFITTERS AND GUIDES

Oregon Guides and Packers Association, P.O. Box 3797, Portland, OR 97208; (503)234-3268.

USEFUL GUIDEBOOKS

Crater Lake National ParkSchaffer, Jeffrey P.

Berkeley, CA: Wilderness Press, 1983.

Exploring Oregon’s Wild AreasSullivan, William L. Seattle: The Mountaineers Books.

50 Hikes in Oregon’s Coast Range S- Siskiy-ousOstertag, Rhonda and George. Seattle: The Mountaineers Books, 1989.

Hiker’s Guide to OregonAitkenhead, Donna. Helena, MT: Falcon Press.

Hiking the Bigfoot CountryHart, John. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books.

Hiking the Great BasinHart, John. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books.

100 Hikes in OregonOstertag, Rhonda and George. Seattle: The Mountaineers Books.

Oregon Coast HikesWilliams, Paul, & Spring, Ira. Seattle: The Mountaineers Books, 1985.