Bob DenOuden's Pacific Northwesterner: October 2017

A New Trail Along the Deschutes River

The Deschutes River

This past weekend Maria and I tried out a new stretch of trail along the Deschutes River upstream of Tumalo State Park. Since this is so close to our home, we were excited to see this new area. We were not disappointed. We both felt that this could become our new local trail. I was particularly impressed with the boardwalk structure that was built to span a large rockfall feature that had thwarted trail users until now. The new trail links Tumalo State Park with the new Riley Ranch park being developed by Bend Parks and Recreation. Eventually, once a bridge over the river is built at Riley Ranch, we will have the potential of a very long riverside walk from Bend to Tumalo. We are all looking forward to that day.

Some fall color remains

An impressive structure built to get the trail through a rock fall

Summer Lake

Summer Lake Hot Springs and Winter Rim

I recently spent a weekend at Summer Lake Hot Springs while, ostensibly, doing ONDA business. I have spent many days and a few nights here over the years, but this trip forced me to slow down and get to know the immediate environs a little better. I finally got to see Paisley Caves, where the famous petrified human poop was discovered. I also hiked in the hills to the south of the hot springs, where I saw a Big Horn ram from a fairly close vantage point. It was a perfect fall high desert weekend.

Early morning frost on the labyrinth

View from Paisley Caves

Looking east from Five Mile Point

Lobo Lake Playa

Rogue River Trail

1964 Flood Height Marker

This past September marked twenty years since Maria and I were married. We celebrated with a four day hike along the Rogue River Trail. While it might sound like we were roughing it we were not. Since we spent each night in a different riverside lodge, where we were fed dinner and breakfast as well as provided with a lunch for the day on the trail, we were able to hike the trail with only daypacks. We enjoyed a hot shower and clean clothes each afternoon before venturing out on the deck to share a bottle of wine. It was very relaxing. It was also my first time hiking the full wild and scenic stretch of the Rogue on this trail. I could get used to this kind of hiking!