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.
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175 N. Larch St.
541-549-6114
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Fir Street Park Sisters Farmers Market 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Every Sunday: fresh local produce and more. Pre-order and
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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.
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