The Empty Corner of Oregon (Lakeview, Hines: 2013, hotel, home)

[xboxmas]

They could make that big lake next to Burns into some kind of a resort. That would boost the economy.

[tablemtn]

Problem is, those two lakes are actually kind of a swamp, and parts of them dry up every year, depending on the climate conditions. These are not the kind of lakes that people would like to use for swimming - they are way too brackish and marshy.

[PNW-type-gal]

You mean Malheur? Put a resort on the National Wildlife refuge? I don't think so.

Nor do I think a lot of the people who live in Burns would appreciate "wet siders" trying to come up with ways to increase population or tourism. I did field work out in the Alvord and the Steens and most people out that way like things just the way they are. It's beautiful in a wild and lonely way.

I'm pretty sure that something like 60-70% of the land in Harney and Malheur County is owned by the Feds (BLM) anyway.

[Yeah I've been there]

Originally Posted by karlsch

If I remember correctly, this was the part of Oregon where the people taking the 1990 census got lost and disappeared for a few days.

Hahaha I don't know why, but this made me laugh a lot. Seriously though, I do hope everyone was all right.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Burns isn't really the area that OP was asking about.

Out there in the far corner, it is mostly lack of water. A lot of that belongs to the federal government, so won't be developed. But I occassionally see parcels for sale out in that area, listed on eBay, along with a photo of Crater Lake as representative of nearby scenery. Buyer beware. "Nearby" is apparently extremely open to interpretation.

[Deezus]

Originally Posted by karlsch

If I remember correctly, this was the part of Oregon where the people taking the 1990 census got lost and disappeared for a few days.

Originally Posted by Yeah I've been there

Hahaha I don't know why, but this made me laugh a lot. Seriously though, I do hope everyone was all right.

They're still looking for them...

[saintmj nyc]

Originally Posted by Waterlily

I don't know if any of you have noticed the southeast corner of Oregon is just about empty of people. There is a small city down there called Jordan Valley and nothing else. Jorden valley only has a 239 population. I've never been there.

When you drive south on highway 395 after the city of Burns and Hines it is empty. I have driven down that way once on the way to Nevada. It's a long lonely stretch. If you were to go southeast it's a very lonely place.

Do you think this area will ever get more population? I'm wondering why it's so empty in the first place.

Pssssss.... Is that where the gold n gem grubbin is good ?

Been to ID last year on some forest work , gem state indeed

[surfer778]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

Burns isn't really the area that OP was asking about.

Out there in the far corner, it is mostly lack of water. A lot of that belongs to the federal government, so won't be developed. But I occassionally see parcels for sale out in that area, listed on eBay, along with a photo of Crater Lake as representative of nearby scenery. Buyer beware. "Nearby" is apparently extremely open to interpretation.

How are the winters there?

[tablemtn]

The winters are brisk. Temperatures can get brutally cold depending on elevation and location. It's called the "high" desert because it's not a lowland desert. The town of Burns - the biggest town for quite a ways in much of southeastern Oregon - is above 4,000 feet, for example. Some roads become snowed-out in the winter and are not maintained again until spring.

Oregon's all-time low temperature of -54 was set in the small town of Seneca, on Highway 395 between the towns of John Day and Burns, for example. Seneca is almost at 4,700 feet.

So, the winters can get cold.

[karlsch]

Originally Posted by surfer778

How are the winters there?

Burns, Oregon Travel Weather Averages (Weatherbase)