HIKING, CYCLING
The Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests contain over 1,000 miles of non-motorized trails suitable for all experience levels.
Many trails extend into alpine regions of the Cascade Mountain wilderness areas.Trails are not confined to the remote outback of Central Oregon, however, as urban trail systems put walking and cycling within everyone’s reach.
The award-winning Bend Metro Park & Recreation District maintains 48 mi of trails, including a Deschutes River trail that eventually will extend to Tumalo State Park.
The 3.5-mi Dry Canyon Trail runs north and south through Redmond. Central Oregon’s destination resorts are lined with walking and cycling trails.
Sunriver Resort contains over 30 miles of paved bike trails; Eagle Crest Resort has over 11 miles.
For the committed mountain biker, the Phil’s Trail complex just west of Bend is a network of 10 major trails extending into the Cascade foothills.
Central Oregon’s popularity as a mountain biking, hiking and running venue has brought an onslaught of media attention by journals like Outside magazine, Mountain Bike magazine and Bike Magazine.
For cyclists who prefer a smooth surface to mountain trails, there is plenty to encourage participation. Several prominent races are held each year, including the Cascade Chainbreaker and the Cascade Cycling Classic, the longest consecutively run elite stage race in the country.
CLIMBING, MOUNTAINEERING
SOUTH CASCADES TO SMITH ROCK STATE PARK
Smith Rock State Park is world famous as a climbing venue. The 651-acre park near Terrebonne, 9 mi NE of of Redmond, contains several thousand climbs, with over 1,000 bolted routes. Smith Rock is mentioned on several climbing web sites, one of which declares it home to some of the hardest routes on earth.
The major rock faces are composed of compressed volcanic ash reaching up to 550 feet in height. Picnic and campground areas sit on columnar basalt rimrock. Hiking and mountain bike trails offer spectacular views of the area and extend into the Crooked River canyon and outside the park. A day use permit is required.
Volcanic peaks in the Cascade Mountains are home to many routes suitable for mountaineers of all experience levels. These include Belknap Crater in the Mt. Washington Wilderness Area, and peaks in the Three Sisters Wilderness Area. Climbing is also found near Tumalo Falls west of Bend, in the Crooked River Gorge, and the cliffs around Prineville.
The popularity of climbing in Central Oregon has spun off a variety of gear manufacturers, outfitters, schools and guides.
ROCKS AND FOSSILS
FOR ROCKHOUNDS OF ALL AGES
Central Oregon’s volcanic geology makes it rich in mineral resources of interest to rockhounds. Ten sites on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests are open to private rock collectors. Principal minerals are agate, jasper, limbcast, petrified wood, moss, dendrite and angel wing.
Richardson’s Rock Ranch, a fee-based private site off Highway 97 some 11 miles north of Madras, provides acres of thunderegg, agate and opal beds.
The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is a place to look and learn, but not to disturb the artifacts. Three separate units are located near the towns of Mitchell, Dayville and Fossil; a visitor’s center is located on the Sheep Rock Unit about 120 mi east of Bend. The region is rich in paleontology.
The Oregon Paleo Lands Institute dedicated a new 1,400-sq ft Field Center in Fossil, Ore., in September 2009.
CAMPING
There are over 125 developed campsites on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests. These include campsites managed by the Forest Service as well as by counties, utility companies and other federal agencies. There are 12 state parks in Central Oregon, of which five contain campgrounds.
“Dispersed camping” where no improved facilities are provided is permitted on much of the National Forest land; users are encouraged to leave no imprint.
OUTINGS
More than 170 developed day-use sites on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests include picnic areas, trailheads and roadside viewpoints. Fourteen resorts operate under special use permits on the Deschutes National Forest. Other than Mt.
Bachelor, they are associated with popular fishing lakes and provide rustic accommodations, stores and limited food service during the summer tourist season.