B10 The BulleTin • Friday, March 19, 2021
TOP PICKS
WHERE TO EXPLORE
South of Bend
Submitted photo
Rockridge Park
Biking
Continued from B1
What really sets this park
apart is the natural-surfaced
bike skills course. Spanning
over a mile, the beginner and
intermediate bike skills courses
feature dirt trails with obsta-
cles. More practiced cyclists
know the obstacle features as
log skinnies, corduroy, board-
walk and armored trail fea-
tures. Both courses allow riders
to choose which obstacles or
terrain to ride or bypass as they
develop their skills.
Next, Stone Creek Pump
Track and Bike Skills Course
is a small, neighborhood park
with no road crossings. It’s a
little park, but it doesn’t know
that. It has a lot of character
with unpaved paths that go
through old-growth juniper
and rock outcroppings.
Smaller than Rockridge,
Stone Creek still packs a lot of
fun features on its little natu-
ral-surfaced bike skills course.
Plus, there’s a hardened dirt
pump track for beginners look-
ing to hone their skills.
While my daughter isn’t
quite ready to take on all the
features that these parks have
to offer, there’s a nice mix of
amenities that are challenging
enough for both of us and keep
things interesting.
Truthfully, I forgot how ex-
citing a new stretch of gravel
can be, and this has become a
great father-daughter activity.
Personally, I’m rediscovering
a lot about biking and making
time for play. The best thing
about learning to play again
is that it has been, as they say,
“like riding a bike.”
Visit the park district web-
site for a list of bike-friendly
parks and trails.
e e
Bryan Longoria is the marketing
coordinator at Bend Park & Recreation
District.
Dillon Falls — The 15-foot tall waterfall that turns into a
major Class 5 rapid may not seem as impressive as its south-
ern neighbor, Benham Falls, but it is definitely worth the
short hike out to see it. Formed with the Deschutes River’s
path was altered when a lava field from Lava Butte pushed
the channel further west, the lava rock gorge the river has
created is really the highlight of the view. Located about 2.5
miles down Dillon Falls Road, southwest of Bend.
Edison Butte Sno-park — Great for a variety of activities
no matter the season, Edison Sno-park is home to snowmo-
bile, Nordic skiing and snowshoe trails during the winter, and
come summer is a hub for Off Highway Vehicle and moun-
tain bike trails. Located between Sunriver and Mt. Bachelor,
the park is on the smaller side of nearby snowy destinations,
but it makes up for it in the miles of trails that wind through
Deschutes National Forest lands.
Fall River Trail — The spring-fed river between La Pine and
Sunriver can be pretty snowy this time of year, so always go
prepared. But no matter the weather the cold, clear water re-
flects the evergreen pines that surround the 5.9 mile out and
back trail here. It is an easy path to follow and good for all skill
levels with a slight elevation gain and tranquil surroundings.
Bulletin file photo
Winter beauty was in full view during a late-February visit to Dillon Falls.
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