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NOVEMBER 9�17, 2021
CULTURE & HERITAGE
CELEBRATING THE HISTORY
OF EASTERN OREGON
Visit two ponds in one trip
By Cheryl Hoefl er
GO! Magazine
A
trip to northern Grant
County will treat you to
not one, but two easily acces-
sible ponds. Pack a lunch, grab
a book and the fi shing gear (just
in case) and get ready for a day
of refreshing outdoor recreation.
And, of course, don’t forget your
camera.
WELCOMING OASIS
BECKONS NEAR LONG
CREEK
LONG CREEK — Have you
ever seen an oasis?
There’s an Eastern Oregon-
style one waiting for you in the
expansive high desert of north-
ern Grant County.
Sheltered among a cluster of
trees alongside State Route 402
is a sweet little spot known by
locals as “Social Security Pond.”
Just 4.5 miles west of Long
Creek, the pond off ers a pleas-
ant respite for fi shing, reading,
picnicking or even just a quick
snooze beneath breezy branch-
es and serenading birds. There’s
no sign, but watch for the
beckoning cluster of trees on
the south side of the roadway.
A short gravel road leads to the
pond, with looped access off er-
ing easy access and parking for
any type of rig.
MONUMENT-AL SPOT
LURES VISITORS
MONUMENT — Cavender
Pond is known as a prime fi shing
spot — but it off ers much more.
This peaceful little gem has
a small boat and fi shing dock, a
three-quarter-mile trail around
the pond and conveniently lo-
cated benches and picnic tables
among shady trees.
Jack Cavender of Monu-
ment established the pond in
1994. Monument Soil and Water
Conservation District built the
benches and the trail.
Cheryl Hoefl er/Go! Magazine
Cavender Pond is open for fi shing, and also off ers a hiking trail, benches, and picnic tables.
The pond is just west of Monu-
ment on the north side of State
Route 402. Turn on a dirt road
with a sign reading “Monument
Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary. Fish-
ing Allowed.”
Bonus side trip: About a quar-
ter mile past the pond’s entrance,
turn north on Top Road (County
Road 3) and travel another third
of a mile for a spectacular view
overlooking Cavender Pond and
the Monument Valley.
There are no restrooms or
garbage services at either pond.