Central Oregon baby!!!! We LOVE it... Monkless brewing, El Sancho Tacos and Margaritas,...ahhh. Oh yeah, and a landscape like no other. If you have ever been fly fishing in the Metolius (Hello Doug) or hiking around Smith Rock (sorry Landrew) or mountain biking the Deschutes River trails you have seen the amaze-balls ways water sculpts the high desert. Three very different waterways culminating in the man-made awesome-ness called Billy Chinook. Here are the things I think you should go see next time you are in Central Oregon.
1 - Smith Rock (C'mon, you must have already seen this) Carved by the Crooked River this is one the worlds premier rock climbing destinations. Climb Misery Ridge, Monkey Face!!!!
2 - Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint - The Crooked River has carved a 300ft deep canyon as it crosses under the 97... blink and you'll miss it.
3 - Metolius Headwater - Ever seen a good-sized river just emerge fully-formed from the hillside? Well you can see just that on the north side of Black Butte. The Metolius travels from the Cascade range down to this hillside completely underground and then BREAKS FREE for your enjoyment. It is sublimely cool and unique. Think about it... yeah, crazy.
4 - Deschutes River Trail / Aubrey Reach segment. - This is wonderful trail section that is (mostly) locals only and is never very crowded. A wide smooth gravel tread with lots to see and just a pleasant vibe that deposits you right downtown for a refuel stop for coffee at Thump, Mexican food at El Sancho or burgers and beer at Dechutes Brewery. It is one of my favorite bike rides ever. AND, since it's mostly flat and has beyond explanation views of the Deschutes river canyon and surrounding Mountains it is one for anybody that is willing to try something different. Start just off NW Putnam road on NW Kirkaldy Ct.
5 - Summer Deschutes Float Madness - Join the touristas and locals for this one. Grab anything that floats and hit the Deschutes at River Bend Park (look for the kayak sculpture) and flat the afternoon away down to Drake Park. WARNINGS: A)Wear Sunscreen B)Stay to the left at Bend Whitewater Park C)Exit at Drake so you don't get sucked into the dam D)Remember your masks and social distance, it gets crowded.
Steelhead Falls / Deschutes - Just google it and go.
6 - Tam-A-Lau Trail Lake Billy Chinook - All three of these river coalesce into a lake thanks to the 1965 Round Butte Hydro-Electric Dam. Tam-A-Lau trail climbs the mesa in the middle. Bring plenty of water and get ready for something you've never seen before. It's cool, just driving to the lake is amazing as the HUGE hole appears in the middle of the vast desert but this hike has the best view of it all. Don't let your dream remain dreams... DO IT!
Of course there are too many things to mention but this is a good start folks, but like siblings these three rivers couldn't BE any more different. Get to the high desert this summer, be conscientious and stay safe out there...
1 - Smith Rock (C'mon, you must have already seen this) Carved by the Crooked River this is one the worlds premier rock climbing destinations. Climb Misery Ridge, Monkey Face!!!!
2 - Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint - The Crooked River has carved a 300ft deep canyon as it crosses under the 97... blink and you'll miss it.
3 - Metolius Headwater - Ever seen a good-sized river just emerge fully-formed from the hillside? Well you can see just that on the north side of Black Butte. The Metolius travels from the Cascade range down to this hillside completely underground and then BREAKS FREE for your enjoyment. It is sublimely cool and unique. Think about it... yeah, crazy.
4 - Deschutes River Trail / Aubrey Reach segment. - This is wonderful trail section that is (mostly) locals only and is never very crowded. A wide smooth gravel tread with lots to see and just a pleasant vibe that deposits you right downtown for a refuel stop for coffee at Thump, Mexican food at El Sancho or burgers and beer at Dechutes Brewery. It is one of my favorite bike rides ever. AND, since it's mostly flat and has beyond explanation views of the Deschutes river canyon and surrounding Mountains it is one for anybody that is willing to try something different. Start just off NW Putnam road on NW Kirkaldy Ct.
5 - Summer Deschutes Float Madness - Join the touristas and locals for this one. Grab anything that floats and hit the Deschutes at River Bend Park (look for the kayak sculpture) and flat the afternoon away down to Drake Park. WARNINGS: A)Wear Sunscreen B)Stay to the left at Bend Whitewater Park C)Exit at Drake so you don't get sucked into the dam D)Remember your masks and social distance, it gets crowded.
Steelhead Falls / Deschutes - Just google it and go.
6 - Tam-A-Lau Trail Lake Billy Chinook - All three of these river coalesce into a lake thanks to the 1965 Round Butte Hydro-Electric Dam. Tam-A-Lau trail climbs the mesa in the middle. Bring plenty of water and get ready for something you've never seen before. It's cool, just driving to the lake is amazing as the HUGE hole appears in the middle of the vast desert but this hike has the best view of it all. Don't let your dream remain dreams... DO IT!
Of course there are too many things to mention but this is a good start folks, but like siblings these three rivers couldn't BE any more different. Get to the high desert this summer, be conscientious and stay safe out there...