The Lost Forest is surrounded by sand dunes and desert. There’s no visible source of water, and the nearest forests that aren’t lost are 40 miles away. These are ancient ponderosa pines in a region of Oregon known as Christmas Valley.
This is a remnant of an ancient forest that covered much of Central Oregon thousands of years ago. Back then, the climate was cooler and wetter. The Lost Forest survives on half the annual rain required for ponderosa pines. This is possible because of the unique soil and hydrologic properties of the area.
