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.