Eastern Oregon - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 722

Getting There & Away

Eastern Point Shuttle ( 541-573-5500; 63 N Buena Vista Ave) Runs out of Figaro's Pizza,
with one daily service to Ontario and Bend.

TOP OF CHAPTER

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
South of Burns, covering 290 sq miles of lake, wetland and uplands, is this important
breeding and resting refuge for birds traveling along the Pacific Flyway. Over 320 spe-
cies can be observed here, including swans, loons, grebes, pelicans, herons, egrets,
spoonbills, ibis, woodpeckers, flycatchers, warblers, finches and many raptors. It's a ver-
itable birdwatchers' paradise. Waterfowl migration at Malheur peaks in March, shore-
birds arrive in April and songbirds wing-in during May. During summer, waterfowl fam-
ilies skim across the ponds and lakes. In fall, birds come through on their way south.
Mosquitoes are bad from June to August, so bring repellent.
There's limited gas at the Narrows RV Park and in Frenchglen, but it's best to fill up in
Burns.

Sights & Activities
The refuge's two big, shallow lakes attract waterfowl, but the best place for wildlife-
viewing is often south along the Donner und Blitzen River, where wide, grassy marshes
and ponds shelter many animals. The gravel Central Patrol Rd runs between the refuge
headquarters and Frenchglen, paralleling the river and providing some 40 miles of good
access into the backcountry. A few walks (most of them short) lead to ponds, a canal and
a reservoir; many are along the Central Patrol Rd. Snag a brochure at the refuge
headquarters for details.
Adjacent to the wildlife refuge, 55 miles south of Burns and east of Hwy 205, is Dia-
mond Craters , a geographically interesting and concentrated area of volcanic craters,
cinder cones and other lava formations that were formed as recently as 2500 years ago.
Pick up a brochure for a self-guided tour from various tourist locations to sniff out the
highlights.
Northeast of the Diamond Craters area and a mile off Lava Bed Rd is Pete French's
Round Barn (1883), a historic 100ft-wide structure used to train draft horses. A nearby
visitors center and gift shop (

541-493-2070; www.roundbarn.net ; 51955 Lava Bed Rd;