The Diablo Mountain Wilderness Study Area (WSA) is one of the largest WSAs in the United States. Located an hour southeast of Bend, Oregon, the Diablo Mountain WSA abuts the 20,000-acre Summer Lake Wildlife Area. The landscape ranges from salt flats to steep escarpments and offers impressive views of Summer Lake.
ODLT acquired two private inholdings, totaling 880 acres, in this critical area. These parcels provide public access to the Diablo Mountain WSA and surrounding public lands. They are also adjacent to a particularly scenic portion of the 750-mile-long Oregon Desert Trail.
The lands are home to mule deer, bighorn sheep, snowy plover and one of the largest flocks of snow geese in the United States.. The area is also culturally and historically significant. Nearby Paisley Cave is one of the oldest studied prehistoric sites in North America.
HOW TO GET HERE
Directions for Diablo Mountain South as follows: The property can be reached from Bend by driving 25 miles south on Highway 97 and turning east onto the Highway 31 (Fremont Highway). Continue 98 miles south past the town of Summer Lake to a turnoff just beyond the Paisley airport. Turn north on BLM Road 6134-00 (Tenmile Butte Road) and continue north for 6.6 miles to a slight left turn which after ~0.5 miles will arrive at the edge of the Diablo South parcel.
ODLT partnered with Conserve.org to support grassroots conservation efforts of Diablo Mountain. Individuals purchased available acreage for conservation. Visit conserve.org for details.
Related Reads
Crowdsourcing Conservation
Central Oregon Daily News highlights a novel way for people to purchase and conserve an acre of Diablo Mountain in southern Oregon's high desert.
For $46, you can preserve a piece of wilderness
The Bend Bulletin shares how conservation groups are teaming up to offer the public a chance to preserve Oregon wilderness.
Healing and loving the Land
Jim Anderson reports for The Source Weekly on efforts to acquire private parcels in the Diablo Wilderness Study Area.