Wednesday, August 12, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 11 Whychus Overlook Trail a cure for pandemic cabin fever By Craig F. Eisenbeis Correspondent The Whychus Creek Scenic Overlook Trail is an ideal destination for pan- demic shut-ins yearning for a pleasant escape into an outdoor experience. The overlook and adjacent trail were completed four years ago as part of The Tale of Two Rivers Treasured Landscapes Conservation Campaign involving Whychus Creek and the Metolius River. The overlook was con- ceived as part of a series of projects and improvements to enhance the region9s watershed restoration, rec- reation, and community engagement. Responsible social dis- tancing is easily achieved on this trail, and the over- look is accessible via a very easy loop trail of just one mile. My companions on this occasion objected to my characterization of the trail as <flat.= Really, though, it9s mostly flat with a gradual upward grade leading from the parking lot to the over- look. The trail base is of smooth, fine, hard packed gravel that is suitable for walkers, strollers, and even wider-wheeled wheelchairs. The trail is quite suit- able for small children, and we saw several on our out- ing. Most 4 although not quite all 4 trail users were thoughtfully wearing masks or donned them when oth- ers approached. We saw about a dozen and a half others enjoying the trail on a sunny, warm, weekday morning. There are attrac- tive log benches placed along the route for rest or contemplation. This mod- est nature experience is an ideal destination for casual outdoor enthusiasts who aren9t quite ready to commit to a full-scale wilderness adventure. In order to minimize contact with other hikers, the trail is well designed for a pandemic, with one-way counterclockwise travel that winds through a young, pine forest and passes sev- eral scenic lava rock extru- sions from the lava flow that created Peterson Ridge. We were disappointed to observe some dead or dying trees that appear to have been impacted by an alarm- ing infestation of dwarf mistletoe (see related story page 1). There are two <scenic turnouts= on the way to the overlook, with sweeping mountain views all along the way. These viewpoints tend to look north and fea- ture views of Mt. Jefferson, Three Fingered Jack, Mt. Washington and Black Butte. The massive fire scar from the 2012 Pole Creek Fire is a prominent feature to the west and north, on the other side of Whychus Creek. That fire actually burned down to a few spots on the western side of the creek. Another smaller fire scar from a 6,000-acre for- est fire in 2010 just touches the southern edge of the trail; and a dirt connector trail splits off in that area, a few yards east of the over- look. That trail follows Whychus Draw down to the creek and the reward- ing, but more challenging, Whychus Creek Trail. A little treat just a short dis- tance down that connector trail is a surprise view of Mt. Hood, which appears in the notch between the northern shoulder of Black Butte and Green Ridge! Although the Forest Service coordinated the overall project, the construc- tion of the overlook was completed in 2016 through a complex process that hinged on volunteer work and pri- vate funding. The original purpose of this park-like creation was to make the local outdoors accessible to more people and provide a greater variety of outdoor experiences, and that goal has certainly been achieved. The Forest Service, National Forest Foundation, the Sisters Trails Alliance, and dozens of others were among the organizations that worked together on the project. The overlook and its loop trail are barrier free and handicapped accessible. As an exception to the counter- clockwise trail movement, it is permissible for those with very limited mobility to take the shorter, flatter south- ern portion of the loop trail in both directions; but the northern segment of the trail is one way only. The trail is, of course, best known for it spec- tacular views of the Three Sisters, Broken Top, and Tam MacArthur Rim. The overlook, itself, is beauti- fully constructed from nat- ural rock and looks down upon the creek, which can be heard rushing through its canyon on its way to meet up with the Deschutes River some 20 miles downstream. Forest Service personnel point out that there is evi- dence that the viewpoint is a place that people have been coming to for centu- ries to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the natural world. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash at all times. Owners are reminded to clean up after their ani- mals; be sure to remove the poop bags, as well. Shortly after the trail opened, the site became a bit too popular as a dog walking area; and the area was very negatively impacted by an enormous quantity of dog excrement. We did not notice that as a problem on this outing, so trail-user courtesy has apparently improved. To reach the roadside PHOTO BY CRAIG F. EISENBEIS Expansive mountain views reward trail users along the Whychus Creek Scenic Overlook Trail. parking lot and trailhead, simply head south on the Three Creek Lake Road (Elm Street in town) for a little over five miles. The Entertainment & Events AUG 12 WED AUG 13 FREE LIVE MUSIC turnout is near the summit of Peterson Ridge, on the right hand (west) side of the road, just a short distance beyond the five-mile marker. THUR Friday & Saturday Nights 6:30 p.m. Now Open 8 a.m. for Breakfast! Black Butte Ranch Live Music with Julie Southwell and Friends 6 to 8 p.m. Socially distant on the lawn near The Lakeside Bistro. For information call 541-595-1282 or go online to www.blackbutteranch.com. Paulina Springs Books Virtual Event Books In Common Regional Literary Event Series with Romance Authors 6:30 p.m. For more information call 541-549-0866 or go to BooksinCommonNW.com. The Suttle Lodge Thursday on the Deck Summer Wine Series Seatings every 30 minutes from 1 to 4 p.m. Wine paired with small-plates from the chef. Reservations required at www.thesuttlelodge.com/happenings. Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Trivia Night 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Family-friendly trivia. Socially-distant. Free. For additional information call Eurosports at 541-549-2471. ? Biscuits & gravy, anyone? Open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. 175 N. Larch St. 541-549-6114 hardtailsoregon.com Facebook darcymacey AUG 14 FRI Summer Days & Nights... TRUCKLOAD HOT TUB & SWIM SPA SALE! Reserve your hot tub or swim spa now. We have truckloads of inventory already on order. AUG Hardtails Bar & Grill Live Music with Nightlife 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Portland classic rock & more. Free. No cover! For more info call 541-549-6114 or go to hardtailsoregon.com. AUG Fir Street Park Sisters Farmers Market 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Every Sunday: fresh local produce and more. Pre-order and details at sistersfarmersmarket.com. 15 SAT 16 SUN AUG 20 THUR Order now and get... O FREE DELIVERY & INSTALLATION, 4 FREE STANDARD MAINTENANCE VISITS, COVER & COVER LIFTER 541-410-1023 • 413 W. Hood Ave. aquahott ub.com | americanwhirlpool.com Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday, evenings by appt. Hardtails Bar & Grill Live Music with Cheyenne West Band 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Country and rock. Free. No cover! For more info call 541-549-6114 or go to hardtailsoregon.com. Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Friday Car Show 5-6:30 p.m. Bring your cool or vintage car for the free Friday car show. For more information call Eurosports at 541-549-2471. AUG 21 FRI Paulina Springs Books Virtual Event Books In Common Regional Literary Event Series with Catherynne M. Valente and Jeff Vandermeer 6:30 p.m. For more info call 541-549-0866 or go to BooksinCommonNW.com. The Suttle Lodge Thursday on the Deck Summer Wine Series Seatings every 30 minutes from 1 to 4 p.m. Wine paired with small-plates from the chef. Reservations required at www.thesuttlelodge.com/happenings. Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Trivia Night 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Family-friendly trivia. Socially-distant. Free. For additional information call Eurosports at 541-549-2471. Hardtails Bar & Grill Live Music with The Hwy 97 Band 6 to 9 p.m. Classic rock and more. Free. No cover! For more information call 541-549-6114 or go to hardtailsoregon.com. Events Calendar listings are free to advertisers. Submit items by 5 p.m. Fridays to lisa@nuggetnews.com ?