Harris Homestead
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Hikes including this location:
- Deschutes River Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 45.51823, -120.83563
- Elevation: 340 feet
Description
NOTE: The homestead and other buildings were destroyed in the July 2018 Substation Fire.
Three quarters of a mile after Fall Canyon Camp, at Mile 10.9, you'll see an alfalfa field down to the right and the picturesque remains of the Harris Homestead. This wooden structure still contains some rusting bedsprings and appliances and the cloth "wallpaper" peels off the clapboard interior; do not enter the building, however: in recent years, it has begun to buckle and lean and in short order it may totally collapse.
Beyond the house, there are corrals, cattle chutes, sheep shearing stalls, and open sheds with some farm equipment. Continuing down the road, you'll pass through an alley of hackberries and reach a grove of ponderosa pines with refurbished caboose that was a more recent residence for seasonal farm workers. There's also a shed and paddock here as well as an outhouse and small pumphouse. Across a channel of the Deschutes is thickly-aldered Harris Island.
This area is currently being used for farming. The farmers used to live here, but now they live in The Dalles and drive here when needed. On a typical day, a pickup or two will drive from the trailhead to here, do some work, and then drive back.
Horses are allowed only to here. Beyond, only hikers and bikers are allowed.
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Contributors
- User:retiredjerry (creator)