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Movenhike \m/..mmmmetal\m/
Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 642 | TRs | Pics Location: Leavenworth, WA |
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Movenhike
\m/..mmmmetal\m/
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Sat May 15, 2010 1:58 pm
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I was down in Bend, OR this week. My friends suggested a hike in the Crooked River National Grassland west of Terrebonne, Oregon. It turned out to be an excellent hike in a desert canyon.
Crooked river national grassland Black Butte Sisters mountains looming above crooked river national grassland
The trailhead is well signed from Holmes Road and it's about 5 mile from pavement down a fairly bumpy gravel road (passable in just about any rig).
I descended below the rim on a good trail down towards Squaw Creek. A junction tha led straight down to the creek was passed after 1/3 mile. I zigzaged down passing some cool formations. Many flowers were blooming. Sagebrush were also bearing flowers.
little white and yellow Sagebrush blooming near trailhead descending from rim
After about 1 1/4 miles I reached the 1st springs of Alder Springs, which were on both sides of the creek. The creek did not have a bridge so I forded barefoot. The crossing was knee-deep and the current somewhat swift.
Alder springs info creek ford crossing of Squaw creek Alder Springs meadow hoodoo
After stumbling across, I investigated the beautiful Alder Springs meadows. There were a few choice campsites near the creek and various springs.
Mossy oasis in the desert
Several more campsites were further down the trail. I continued on towards the confluence of the Deschutes River. The closer I got to the Deschutes, the more interesting the canyon rock fomations became.
Trail and formations Squaw Creek Lower Squaw creek Gettin' crooked 2 Gettin' Crooked Meadow near confluence yellow Canyon Scenery Basalt Deschutes River/Squaw Creek confluence area Deschutes rocks and rim Deschutes rocks Deschutes River Canyon
During this segment I passed by by two sets of fisher-people who were returning from the river. Shortly past the confluence the trail led up into a talus field. Past this the trail deteriorated into a brushy mess, so I turned around. Roundtrip from trailhead to the Descutes river is approximately 6 miles.
Catepillar house Canyon Meadow
Aproaching the trailhead on the way back I detoured down the the Old Bridge trail. Supposedly there are Native American pictographs down near the creek on this trail but unfortunately I never found them.
By the time I returned to the trailhead I had covered about 9 miles and had developed a notable sunburn. My elevation gain for the day was perhaps 1000' all together. I spent 6 or so hours in the canyon.
The Crooked River Grassland is very beautiful and Central Oregon in general seems to have a lot going for it.
"Make it your Friend" -John Bull
"Make it your Friend" -John Bull
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kyle d Member
Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 521 | TRs | Pics Location: Ogden, UT |
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kyle d
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Sat May 15, 2010 5:15 pm
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Nice. Looks like you're getting out all over the place lately.
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