Th e Bu l l eTin • Fr iday, Ja n ua r y 22, 2021 B9
Makenzie Whittle/Bulletin photos
Mike Whittle stands on the rim
of the plateau of The Penin-
sula with The Island research
natural area in the distance.
The Island has been closed off
since 1997 to protect animal
and plant life there.
Tam-a-Lau trail begins its climb up the hillside.
Trail
Continued from B1
Named for the Sahaptin
“place of big rocks on the
ground” Tam-a-Lau begins in
the Deschutes Campground
at the state park then hugs the
steep hillside above before
reaching the relatively flat pla-
teau above.
Right now, the campground
is closed for the season, so in
order to reach the trailhead,
visitors need to park across
Jordan Road at the Upper De-
schutes Day-use area and walk
about a quarter-mile to the
trailhead.
The trail first travels over a
smaller hill for a little over a
quarter-mile before descend-
ing into a small valley of large
boulders for which the trail
gets its name. The break in the
trail’s ascension is short, and
soon, the bulk of the uphill
travel starts. Looking up, you
can see the cutout trail zigzag
up the 600-foot hillside eventu-
ally disappearing behind rock
formations near the top.
It’s a mostly uphill climb
from there with a few of the
steeper sections featuring lum-
ber steps carved into the dirt.
Take your time going up the
trail if you need to. It narrows
considerably with steep hill-
sides and drop-offs on either
side. So if you need to pass or
pause, use the switchbacks —
they can be the widest spots in
the road. While stopped, check
out the view of the lake as you
climb and note the changes
in the rock as you get closer
to the top. These intracanyon
basalts from 1.2 million years
ago mixed with the thicker
bedrock of the Deschutes For-
mation that formed between
7.5 million and 4 million
years ago, which then were cut
through by the powerful wa-
ter flows from the Deschutes,
Crooked and Metolius rivers.
Some of the rock formations
lay just above the trail so look
up every once in a while.
ging trail opens up toward the
top for the final ascent to the
plateau.
During the winter the en-
tire Tam-a-Lau trail is subject
to steady freeze-thaw weather
patterns (and can sometimes
be covered in snow). Because
of this, when the sun hits the
trail, especially near the top,
the ice cover melts and the trail
can get quite muddy.
The last section of the uphill
travel follows what looks like
an old road and is rocky.
Before you know it, you’ll
have reached the top and are
greeted by a small sign indi-
cating the Tam-A-Lau Loop
trail on top of the plateau.
This 3.5-mile loop is fairly flat
through scrublands of sage
and western juniper, hugging
the rim of the hillside and
offering perfect views of Mt.
Jefferson and even Mt. Hood,
the Deschutes and Crooked
River arms of the lake and a
great look at The Island Re-
search Natural Area to the
north.
The Island has been closed
since 1997 when it was made
a protected area. Its remote
placement and sheer cliff sides
kept it from cattle grazing prior
to the lake formation and as
such features an untouched
landscape with rare plants and
animal inhabitants.
Hikers who go clockwise
on the loop are greeted to the
views immediately. It’s here
where you can find a small
rock or flat place to sit, enjoy
the view and maybe a snack
before continuing on your trek
around the loop.
Eventually, the trail loops
back to the main downhill sec-
tion and when, if you brought
them, the hiking poles can
come in handy, especially if
you hit a muddy section and
your shoe decides it would
rather stay behind.
e e
Reporter: 541-383-0304,
mwhittle@bendbulletin.com
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On top of it all
Eventually, the steep zigzag-
2021
SHOP LOCAL CHALLENGE
TOP PICKS
WHERE TO EXPLORE
Top outdoor picks in, near Bend
Deschutes River Trail, Awbrey Reach — While the South Canyon section of the trail that stretches through-
out Bend is the most popular, the northernmost 3.9-mile section is just as stunning. Starting at Sawyer Park,
the trail travels along a high ridge offering views of the river, Riley Ranch Nature Reserve and the Cascades.
The trail terminates in the Awbrey Glen neighborhood so always be respectful of private property along the
way.
Huntington Wagon Road Interpretive Trail — The short trail located between Bend and Redmond on Mc-
Grath Road just outside of the Boonesborough neighborhood is definitely a hidden gem. Maintained by the
Bureau of Land Management, the 2.4-mile out and back trek is easy and full of rich information on the 1850s
supply wagon road that the trail follows including historic campsites, tree blazes and even some bullet holes
remaining from target practice of those that used the route back then.
Shevlin Park — The land that became Shevlin Park was gifted to the city 100 years ago this week from the
Shevlin-Hixon Lumber Company, so what better time to mark the occasion. The nearly 1,000 acres of park-
land features hiking and biking trails of varying distances and difficulties as well as abundant picnic areas and
river access for warmer days. The park to the west of Bend is still a local favorite and is one of the crowning
jewels of the city’s parks.
— Makenzie Whittle, The Bulletin
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