Wizard Falls Loop Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Lower Bridge Trailhead
- Ending point: Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery Trailhead
- Hike type: Loop
- Distance: 6.2 miles
- Elevation gain: 300 feet
- High point: 2900 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: Spring through fall
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: In the summer
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Description
The Metolius River appears out of the ground at the Head of the Metolius River. The water is from the Cascades to the west, which soaks into porous volcanic soil and comes to the surface because of the fault that created Green Ridge to the east. The river is best known for fly fishing. The water is very cold and clean. This hike provides a good view of the river. The trail generally follows along the edge of the river with good views of it. At several places, the trail detours away from the river to avoid private property. This is no wilderness hike; you're never more than about half a mile from a road. Expect to see easy rapids, fly fishermen, birds, possibly fish, and other wildlife. In the summer, there can be quite a few people.
If you stay overnight at one of the campgrounds you can walk right on to the trail. During the summer the campgrounds fill up, so you need to make reservations in advance. During the winter, all the campgrounds are closed, but Alder Springs and Lower Bridge are ungated. This hike can be done year-round, but at times there's snow which would make this difficult if not impossible. Sisters is at the same elevation and 20 miles to the south, so if there's no snow there, then this is probably open.
You can begin the hike at the Lower Bridge Trailhead. You could just as easily start at the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery or the Allen Springs Campground or Pioneer Ford Campground. All have day use parking areas. This hike is arbitrarily defined as counter-clockwise, but you could just as easily do it the opposite direction.
From the parking area at the Lower Bridge, cross over to the west side of the bridge. There are a couple of trails right at the beginning, a day use parking area, and a couple of picnic tables. Shortly, there is only one trail. The trail stays very close to the river. You can see Pioneer Ford Campground across the river, where there are some minor rapids. After about a mile, the trail goes inland to bypass a private area. There is some barbed wire, and No Trespassing signs are posted. This section of trail goes through a somewhat sparse forest of pine and fir trees.
After another mile, the trail is back on the river. You can see some cabins across the Metolius here. Three miles from the beginning is the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery. Go through and check it out, especially the settling pond for wildlife seeking a meal. There are a few areas signed to stay out of. Wizard Falls itself was a 12-foot waterfall that became dry due to diversion of its springs to serve the fish hatchery (no hatchery water comes from the Metolius itself). You will not see water flowing over the falls unless the fish hatchery is completely shut down.
Cross the river on the bridge. The return trail is obvious on the other side, next to the river. After about a half mile is the Allen Springs Campground. You have to walk through the campground on the paved road. There is drinking water in the summer. After about another half mile, the trail bypasses some private residences. Barbed wire fences and No Trespassing signs keep you on the trail.
After another mile, the trail is back on the river. Two and a half miles from Wizard Falls is the Pioneer Ford Campground, with drinking water (in the summer) and outhouses. Walk through the campground, and find the trail on the other end. Follow the trail next to the river to where you started.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Green Trails Maps: Whitewater River, OR #558
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Sisters Ranger District
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Deschutes National Forest
- Pacific Northwest Recreation Map Series: Willamette Cascades
- Pacific Northwest Recreation Map Series: Central Oregon Cascades
- National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington
- Adventure Maps: Mount Jefferson, Bull of the Woods & Opal Creek Wilderness Trail Map
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Respect private property
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Wizard Falls Loop Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Wizard Falls Loop Hike
Guidebooks
- 101 Hikes in the Majestic Mount Jefferson Region by Matt Reeder
- Day Hiking: Bend & Central Oregon by Brittany Manwill
- 100 Hikes: Central Oregon Cascades by William L. Sullivan
- Trips & Trails: Oregon by William L. Sullivan
- Best Hikes With Kids: Oregon by Bonnie Henderson & Zach Urness
- Central Oregon: Walks, Hikes & Strolls for Mature Folks by Marsha Johnson
- Day Hikes in Central Oregon by Jan Siegrist
- Hiking Central Oregon & Beyond by Virginia Meissner
- Oregon Nature Weekends by Jim Yuskavitch
- Oregon's Ancient Forests: A Hiking Guide by Chandra LeGue
- A Walking Guide to Oregon's Ancient Forests by Wendell Wood
- Best Old-growth Forest Hikes: Washington & Oregon Cascades by John & Diane Cissel
- The Dog Lover's Companion to Oregon by Val Mallinson
- Best Hikes With Dogs: Oregon by Ellen Morris Bishop
More Links
- West Metolius River Trail (USFS)
- East Metolius River Trail (USFS)
- Metolius II (Hiking Central Oregon)
- Hike Metolius River (Oregon.com)
- Metolius River Trail (Five Pine)
- Metolius River Trail (Sisters Country)
- Wizard Falls (AllTrips)
- Wizard Falls Hatchery Visitors' Guide (Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife)