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SAGELAND FALL 2013 30
a free-flowing river system in my lifetime.
However, I’ve heard lots of rumors about large brown
and rainbow trout in this section of the Deschutes,
which is open to fishing year round.
Looking downriver, I could see a rather large canyon
entering from the west side. This is where Whychus
Creek enters the Deschutes River, finishing its long,
winding journey from the snowmelt of the Three Sisters.
After reaching the rim once again, I turned to take one
last look down at the Deschutes River snaking its
through the canyon. To the west the sun began to sink
over the horizon. A few small lenticular clouds floated
just above the summits of the Three Sisters, a sign that
bad weather might soon be on its way — a good sign
perhaps for those awaiting the first snowshoeing or
cross-country skiing of the season.
Over on the Crooked River side of the plateau four
trails lead into the canyon. The Otter Bench Trail leads
2.5 miles out from the trailhead to the junction of the
Pink and Opal Canyon trails. You can either return by
the old road (1.5 miles) or retrace your steps. The Pink
Trail heads three-quarters of a mile down to the Crooked
River (a 6.5-mile hike from the trailhead). The Opal
Canyon Trail is a 4.5-mile loop or a 9.5-mile hike from
the trailhead. The Lone Pine Trail is a three-quarters of
a mile trail down to the Crooked River from the trail-
head.
For those interested in just taking a stroll, try the Otter
Bench Trail; it’s fairly flat and has some fantastic canyon
scenery. It takes visitors across a plateau above the
Crooked River, a geological bench. If you need an aero-
bic workout try Scout Camp, Pink Trail or Lone Pine
trails, which are hiker-only trails. Or bring your moun-
tain bike and ride the Otter Bench Loops.
The Scout Camp Trail is located entirely on BLM
land. While sections of the Crooked River trails are on
Crooked River National Grassland, the majority are on
BLM land. The weather in these canyons is milder than
the surrounding towns, 5-10 degrees warmer, so they
often provide a nice hike even when other parts of the
high desert are blustery.
The BLM is trying to do a little more recreation devel-
opment than it has in the past and building these trails
lets people see what they have to offer. These trails pro-
vide an opportunity to get people out to enjoy the area
that they may not get to see otherwise.
For decades there had been an increase in user-created
trails, especially by anglers wanting to get down to the
Deschutes River from the plateau of Crooked River
Ranch. These narrow trails cut straight down the canyon
Bill McClung and Rocky take a trail break. The trails around the Ranch are supported by the Friends and Neighbors
of the Deschutes Canyon Area. The group maintain trails, conducts outreach and promotes trail stewardship.
THE IKIN H R H G ANC
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