Revision as of 22:07, 23 March 2007

You get a great view down to the many rapids on the Deschutes River

• Start point: Lower Deschutes Trailhead
• End point: Harris Homestead
• Trail log: Deschutes Hike/Log
• Distance: 11.5 miles one way
• Elevation gain: 100 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Seasons: Year round, very hot in summer
• Family Friendly: Yes
• Backpackable: Yes
• Crowded: Busy during the summer

Hike Description

The Deschutes River is best known for river rafting and fishing, but in the winter it offers a good opportunity for backpacking or day hikes.

The trail goes along the river on an old railroad grade offering typical Eastern Oregon scenery - broad spaces, cliffs and rock slopes, and sparse Juniper and grasses. The river has some spectacular rapids and wildlife including steelhead salmon, ducks, herons, geese, otters, and squirrels. There are some relics of the railroad and farming.

The main trail is a gravel road. Several times a day there will be a farm or Fish and Wildlife truck going down the trail. In the winter, there are a few hikers, bikers, and possibly horses each day, more on the weekend. On the opposite side of the river, there are a couple trains each day, during the day or early evening.

Deschutes State Park is the first 2 miles. There is a lower trail and a middle trail for hikers only, below the railroad grade. There is an upper trail for hikers only that takes off from the main trail at mile 1, goes up to Ferry Springs, and then goes back to the main trail at mile 2. Be careful of these hiker only trails, because you'll brush against plants that may transfer ticks to you.

Beyond the state park, the trail is maintained by the Oregon Fish and Game people. The main trail follows along the railroad grade. There is occasionally a hiker only trail down by the river.

There are railroad and farm relics all along the trail. At mile 1, off the hikers trail next to the river, there's some sort of cable car that goes across the river. At about mile 7 there's an old railroad car with an intact wood floor that might offer protection in inclement weather. A little further is the remains of a bridge across the river (Freebridge). There's one footing on the East side and another footing in the middle of the river. At mile 8 there's an old wood trestle and another railroad car. At mile 11 is the remains of the Harris Homestead - a dilapidated house, some dilapidated farm buildings, a dilapidated cabin, and another farm building that has some current materials like hoses and fence posts.

There are a number of campsites. For each one, there's a road down from the main road with an outhouse, and areas to camp near by. You can camp elsewhere but it's requested that you camp at one of the outhouses to control waste. There are camps at mile 2.2 (Ferry Springs), mile 4 (?), mile 8, and mile 10.5. All the camps besides Ferry Springs have nice campsites next to the river.

Beyond mile 11, reportedly, the next 6 miles are bicycle and hiker only, no horses. Then, from mile 17 to mile 23 it's hiker only because the road is impassable to bikes on several side canyons. At mile 23 is Mack Canyon BLM campground which you can drive to from the other side. You could use this as a trailhead and hike down the river.

The Deschutes River drains off the East side of the Cascades from south of Bend to Mount Hood. The infamous White River on Mount Hood drains into the Deschutes River. There is a large urban area around Bend that drains into the Deschutes River. There is a lot of farming area that drains into the river also.

Fishing season is May 1 to October 31. There are steelhead salmon. The river rafting season is in the summer. Hikers may want to avoid the area then, to avoid the crowds, also it gets very hot then. There is better hiking in the gorge or on Mount Hood.

The Deschutes State Park at the trailhead has a nice camping area. A loop has electricity for trailers and is $12 per night in the winter. T loop is next to the trailhead for tenters and is $5 per night. T loop is basically a circular grassy area with about a dozen sites with picnic tables and fire pits.

It costs $5 to park for day use and $5 per night if you're backpacking. The ranger recommended just leaving your car in the camping area during the winter because there are so few people there.

There is a resident ranger and a camp host over-looking T loop so this area should be more secure against vandalism.

Maps

Fees, Regulations, etc.

Trip Reports

• Search Trip Reports for Deschutes River Hike

• Deshchutes River Trail - 3/5/2007
• Lower Deschutes River to Gordon Canyon 10/14/06

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Related Discussions / Q&A

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Guidebooks that cover this hike

More Links

• See more information at Describe the link here

Contributors

• retiredjerry (creator)