Lower Deschutes Trail Camping Question

[sallypdx]

Planning an overnight to the water tower area on the Deschutes Trail. I am wondering if I need to hang food or bring a bear canister. I am more concerned about rodents chewing holes in my new tent than I am about bigger critters. Thanks in advance for any advice on this topic!!

[Bosterson]

You should always hang your food if you can - critters, as you noted. I don't think there are bears in the Deschutes, though maybe someone will fact check that for me. Realistically you don't need a bear canister outside places like the Sierras, where bears are plentiful and habituated to humans. I hang my food everywhere in Oregon and Washington.

[sallypdx]

Thanks much!!!

[leiavoia]

Never keep food in your bag or tent overnight, anywhere, ever. The one time you do, you know what will happen!

I usually use an Op-Sak/Lok-Sak scent-proof plastic bag, or the much cheaper and more durable odor-proof mylar bags. You could hang the food in addition to bagging it, but i find that most of the time just nestling the scent-bag up in a tree branch is enough to dodge most of the little critters and not attract attention.

[drm]

Rodent hangs are easy since they only need to be a few feet from an accessible point. Sometimes the long string that closes the bag is enough. Just hang it from the end of a branch.

FYI in Washington, bear canisters are required in some national park areas.