Wednesday, July 26, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
7
Lake Creek srail provides a mix of outdoor experiences
By Craig F. Eisenbeis
Correspondent
The Lake Creek Trail
from Suttle Lake to Camp
Sherman has been in exis-
tence for seven years, but is
still somewhat off the radar
for many local hikers. This is
a convenient, well-defined —
and mostly unburned — for-
est outing that requires little
advance planning. At about
4.5 miles in length, the trail
comprises a very easy walk
in the woods that is still long
enough to make it feel like a
worthwhile accomplishment.
The western terminus of
the trail can be found near
Suttle Lake, and the eastern
end of the trail terminates in
Camp Sherman just north
of the fire station. The trail
is designed for use by bicy-
clists, hikers, and equestrians
alike. However, horses are
not permitted on the portion
east of the Metolius-Windigo
Trail. Some separation is pro-
vided to help prevent cyclists
from startling horses, but cau-
tion is always necessary.
Cyclists, in particular, are
prone to begin round trips
from the Camp Sherman end
of the trail. Of course, that
leads to an easier downhill
return; but this trail follows
the gentle flow of the creek,
so the trail is a pretty flat one
all the way.
Still, we decided to do a
car drop and take the down-
hill direction, starting at the
Suttle Lake trailhead, near
the Suttle Lake Lodge. We
parked in a tiny public area
just across the Lake Creek
Bridge which leads into the
Suttle Lake Resort. Officially,
the trail begins at the Lodge
parking lot but can be picked
up anywhere along the route.
PHOTO BY CRAIG F. EISENBEIS
Roadside information on the Lake Creek Trail is available at the trailhead.
JOIN US FOR OUR 39TH SEASON!
Cascades Theatrical Company’s 2017-18 season is right
around the corner. Book your season tickets today!
Seven Ticket Main Stage Pass
Nine Ticket Combination Pass
Adult $123
Senior $99
Student $81
Adult $143
Senior $115
Student $94
Tickets available at CascadesTheatrical.org or call 541-389-0803
ANNUAL SNEAK PEEK
August 4 & 5 at 7:30 p.m. | August 6 at 2 p.m.
Call for reservations.
148 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend.
Lazy days of summer
are a great time to
SCHEDULE
KIDS’ DENTAL
APPOINTMENTS
We’re committed to your family’s dental health!
Ben Crockett, D.D.S.
p 541-549-9486 f 541-549-9110
410 E. Cascade Ave. • P.O. Box 1027 • Sisters, Oregon 97759
Hours: Mon., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Tues.-Wed., 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thurs., 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
The trail splits down both
sides of the turnout near the
bridge and rejoins itself a few
yards farther downstream. The
fork nearer the bridge hugs
the creek and is more sce-
nic. An attractive kiosk at the
public parking area provides
information and a route map.
One of the surprising fea-
tures of this portion of the
trail is that it does not cross
Highway 20. Instead, the
path leads under the high-
way bridge that crosses the
creek; so there’s no need to
dodge high speed traffic.
Tall hikers, however, should
be alert for spots of limited
head clearance. For the first
couple of miles, the trail stays
pretty close to the creek; and,
while the creek is not always
visible, it is always within
earshot.
Lake Creek splits into
multiple channels as it flows
toward the Metolius River,
and the trail hugs the North
Fork at its western end. Much
of the route is over former
forest roads; so there is plenty
of room along this wide and
comfortable trail.
More than a mile of the
trail is within the boundaries
of the Deschutes Land Trust’s
Metolius Preserve, and the
trail was completed with the
cooperation and support of
PHOTO BY CRAIG F. EISENBEIS
The North Fork of Lake Creek flows gently along the Lake Creek Trail
between Suttle Lake and Camp Sherman.
the Trust. Another informa-
tional kiosk presents Land
Trust information and maps
near the mid-point of the trail.
As the trail leaves the eastern
part of the Land Trust’s pre-
serve, it wanders farther away
from the creek; and the creek
sounds fade away as part of
the forest experience from
that point on.
There are no steep or
rough sections on this flat
trail, and it does not appear to
be too heavily used. On this
midweek outing, we encoun-
tered a total of five cyclists
and one jogger.
The trail was completed,
largely by volunteers, as part
of an Earth Day observance
in 2010. The route is eas-
ily followed with assistance
from substantial marker
posts. Whenever the land-
scape opens up or other paths
diverge, the posts can usually
be spotted and depended upon
to guide the way. This is not a
wilderness trail, and is acces-
sible by vehicle from a num-
ber of points along the way.
Signs in the Land Trust’s
Preserve frequently call for
separation of horse, bike, and
foot traffic. Further informa-
tion can be obtained from
Deschutes Land Trust and
from the Forest Service at the
Sisters Ranger Station.
The eastern portion of the
trail passes through a section
of forest with many western
larch trees, also known as
See HIKE on page 19