Diablo Mountain

Looking north from Diablo Mtn

When we set it up back in the fall, the first weekend of March seemed like it would be a lovely time to spend a weekend in the Oregon Outback camping on remote Diablo Rim.  As it turned out, Winter 2016-17 has been one of the harshest in memory for much of the West and this past weekend continued that trend.  Still, we set off with backpacks and worked our way to the summit of Diablo.  There we were rewarded with views to the east into a vast sagebrush sea - an area seldom traveled but, as it turns out, teeming with feral horses.  We set up camp below the summit in some of the only level ground we could find that wasn't too rocky for tents.  Then the wind picked up.  It did not let up all evening, not even allowing us the pleasure of a campfire (we had lugged two Presto logs with us; the wind blew out the flame each time).  Into the tents we went.  Twelve hours later we emerged.  The wind was still present.  We decided to retreat from Diablo and explore by car.  All said, still a great trip.  It is always a pleasure to hike where few go.  No fence lines, no power poles, only faint jeep tracks marred the area.  Ken and I laughed at the BLM conclusion when considering whether to recommend this area for wilderness designation; insufficient opportunities for solitude.  Yea, right.

Camping on Diablo

Diablo Rim looking south

Winter Ridge cuts a hole in the clouds