Page 34 - Copyright 2013 - Pamplin Media Group

and a kestrel hovered in mid-air, trying to spot its next
meal. At the brink of the falls, a dipper appeared to be
doing deep-knee bends in fast motion.
Hatches of small insects danced on the water’s surface
and also shared the air with the remnants of fuzzy cat-
tails. Sunlight striking the mist from the falls created a
rainbow. The horseshoe shape of the falls reminded me
of a miniature Niagra Falls.
The trail continues downriver below the falls, at times
containing more deer tracks than those of hiker. Red-
winged blackbirds sang from the tops of the cattails. A
kingfisher flashed by, giving its loud dry rattling call.
The canyon offered the feeling of a wilderness area and
a bird sanctuary.
If the hike to the falls isn’t enough, thereÆs another
trail at the south end of the BLM campground leading a
little over a half-mile to Foley Waters (also spelled Folley
and Folly) on the Deschutes River. The trail follows a
closed road along the rim through large ancient junipers
hundreds of years old. This trail is more popular for
mountain bikers, horseback riders and anglers than the
Steelhead Falls Trail.
The trail passes through the rimrock and continues
down to a large flat bench along the river. Large springs
flow from the hillside on the west side, creating an oasis
in the high desert. An old wooden structure can be seen
across the river. There are many stories related to this
building, which dates back to about 1912 or 1915.
According to rumors, in order to make money by sell-
ing shares, the area was “salted” with bits of gold to
make it appear profitable. Sporadic gold was discovered
along the Deschutes River from Cline Falls to the Lower
Bridge area but not enough to make it worthwhile. An-
other rumor has it that the building was used for a still
to brew alcohol after the mine didn’t pay out.
The Steelhead Falls area is a great place for families to
fish, hike, camp and enjoy the breathtaking views. Bring
along a pair of binoculars and camera. There are about
a dozen primitive campsites along the rimrock in the
recreation site.
Friends and Neighbors of the Deschutes Canyon Area
was founded in 2011 by about a dozen landowners sur-
rounding the Deschutes Canyon-Steelhead Falls
Wilderness Study Area. The all-volunteer organization’s
goal is working to preserve and restore the wild land-
SAGELAND FALL 2013
34
FANs: Friends and Neighbors Group
THE IKIN H R H G ANC
— —