Snowy Deschutes

[drm]

The sun came out today, but with I84 closed west of Hood River, I decided to stay east and head over to the Deschutes River. Provisioned with a thermos of chili, I parked out at the start of the road.

After a half mile, no more tracks, I was on my own


I didn't have it to myself for long, any guess on these tracks?




Exit stage left - this one must have left something at home


Plenty of wildlife out here


Fine winter scenery


My lunch spot, next to the ag field, about 3.5 miles in.


Snow makes rock cliffs stand out


Closing shot

[retired jerry]

Nice! Thanks for the update.

There's usually not that much snow there. I was thinking about doing a trip there but maybe that's a bit more than I want, plus it's supposed to get down to 15 F in a few days which is a bit cold.

[drm]

Temps were upper 20s getting into 30s and I was way overdressed. The snow was 4-6" and without tracks it feels like a moderate uphill, so I was sweating too much. But it is supposed to get colder this coming week.

[retired jerry]

I saw 15 F next week, just a bit chilly to me

[gratefultrails]

Excellent photos! They make me want to get out there in the snow and sunrays. My skin is very envious of all that Vitamin D

[romann]

Here's where sun gone! Beautiful pictures, never seen snow out there - looks very different.

[texasbb]

Very nice, Dean. Makes me wish I had the week off.

Edit: Warmth from a thermos is good, but I can't imagine hiking with chili, at least not the way I like it!

[miah66]

It was either New Years 2012 or 2013 that I did a winter backpack out there from Mack's Canyon to the mouth. It snowed good the day before, there was about 3-5" most of the way from Mack's Canyon to the homestead, which we reached on day 2. So many animal tracks, just like you saw. It was a real highlight for me, even though the nights were in the teens. Lovely pics, they take me back!

[maobie15]

Wow, your photos are beautiful! I've only been in the Deschutes canyon once, and that was a cold summer weekend. The snow makes everything soooooo stunning!

Thanks for sharing!!