Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (June 29, 1978)
Smith Rocks in Central Oregon, just northeast of Redmond, form part of a 300 foot deep gorge sliced by the aptly named Crooked River. The multi-colored sedimentary rock can be viewed from a small picnic area or a trail leading into the canyon. Like the Deschutes and the John Day rivers, which dominate much of Central Oregon, the Crooked River cuts a spectacular canyon through the volcanic plateaus as they wind northward toward the Columbia. In the foreground are juniper trees which, although they are small, may be hun dreds of years old and the sagebrush that grows throughout the dry eastern regions of the state. The Old West Eastern Oregon provides a great contrast with the western side o f the Cascades, the mountains cutting o ff most o f the rain and leaving the region dry and desert-like. But Eastern Oregon has its own beauty — high mountains, deep canyons, interesting rock formations cut in the lava by the rivers and by the wind, areas o f shifting sands, forests o f juniper, and an abundance o f desert lakes. Irrigation has brought fertility to the soil and thousands o f areas are cultivated, growing wheat, potatoes, peas and other crops. The major mountain ranges are the pine covered Blue Mountains, and the Wallawas, called the “ Little Alps.” Marshlands at the Malhuer Refuge and Klamath Lake provides habitat for migrating birds. Other residents include antelope, deer, bear, jack rabbits, rattle snacks, and all manners o f small animals. The major cities o f Eastern Oregon are Bend, which sits at the edge o f the “ high desert” with the mountains o f the central Cascades in view; Pendleton, in the wheat region now the Columbia, the home o f the Pendleton Roundup; LaGrande and Baker, at the foot o f the Blue Mountains; and in the south, Klamath Falls and Lakeview. Willow trees border a farm meadow near Mitchell in Wheeler County with a lava topped butte in the background. Branding is still a commonplace event in Eastern Oregon where the huge ranches graze their cattle and horses on the open range. Shown here is a Hereford Whiteface receiving his brand on a ranch near John Day.
