September 23, 2019, Day 19 Dry Creek to Denio, ~11.1 miles, ~270.7 miles total Gabriel’s Day 19 pictures are here. Last night's storm went on for hours. Flashes of lightning would illuminate the tent. Rain pelted down, then pattered, then pelted, then ceased. I put in earplugs and covered my face to muffle the sounds … Continue reading Denio but no denial

September 22, 2019, Day 18 Harney-Malheur County Line to Dry Creek (west of Little Windy Pass), ~23.0 miles, ~259.6 miles total Gabriel’s Day 18 pictures are here. First day of autumn. Yabano as the fall season is known in Northern Paiute. My guidebooks for the region mention that these mountains are home to hundreds of … Continue reading Autumn comes to the desert

September 21, 2019, Day 17 Upper Mitchell Spring to saddle west of Harney-Malheur County Line, ~22.9 miles, ~236.6 miles total Gabriel’s Day 17 pictures are here. Today was one of those beautiful, pleasant trail days. A golden day figuratively and literally. We rose in the chill morning before sunrise. But quickly warmed up as we … Continue reading A golden day

September 20, 2019, Day 16 McDermitt to Upper Mitchell Spring,  ~14.1 miles, ~213.7 miles total Gabriel’s Day 16 pictures are here. We took care of a flurry of errands this morning: Finish drying clothes (bathtub laundry!). Mail home things we no longer need. Find some extra veggies and warm things at the Quinn River Market. … Continue reading Gray skies are gonna clear up?

September 19, 2019, Day 15 Louse Canyon near Andersons Corral (~OC 31) to McDermitt, ~18.1 miles, ~199.6 miles total Gabriel’s Day 15 pictures are here. Saturated. Outside our tent, the air is dripping with moisture. Out of the tent for just a few minutes, I pull up my sleep tights and my legs are quickly … Continue reading McDermitt or bust!

September 18, 2019, Day 14 Louse Canyon beneath Rawhide Pocket & Section 16 Reservoir (~OC 57) to Louse Canyon near Andersons Corral (~OC 31), ~23.7 miles, ~181.5 miles total Gabriel’s Day 14 pictures are here. Morning. Overcast skies. Time to carry out mission: Exit Louse Canyon. One knee deep pool wade, 500 feet of walking … Continue reading Out of and back to Louse Canyon

September 17, 2019, Day 13 Louse Canyon (beneath Overtime Reservoir) ~OC 67 to Louse Canyon (beneath Rawhide Pocket & Section 16 Reservoir) ~OC 57, ~11.3 miles, ~157.8 miles total Gabriel’s Day 13 pictures are here. A few stars twinkled in the sky as we packed up our wet tent and started walking. A bit chilly … Continue reading All day in Louse Canyon

September 16, 2019, Day 12 Three Forks to Louse Canyon (beneath Overtime Reservoir) ~OC 67 , ~14.4 miles, ~146.5 miles total Gabriel’s Day 12 pictures are here. Rivers in deserts are magical. The Owyhee is magical. This is a beautiful place to be. It’s tempting to linger at Three Forks. To explore a bit up … Continue reading Owyhee magic as the fun begins

September 15, 2019, Day 11 Grassy rise near Dry Creek (OC 98) to Three Forks, ~23.9 miles, ~132.1 miles total Gabriel’s Day 11 pictures are here. When we last looked at a weather report, today was forecast to be another warm one (temps in the high 80s or 90s). We also wanted to make it … Continue reading Getting to Three Forks

September 14, 2019, Day 10 Rome to a grassy rise near Dry Creek (OC 98), ~17 miles, ~108.2 miles total Gabriel’s Day 10 pictures are here. At last, we're back on the Oregon Desert Trail!  And enjoying all of its charms. Very warm temps (90+ degrees). Heavy packs (6 days of food). Knowing the weight … Continue reading Roadside attractions