THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 • THE BULLETIN
GO! MAGAZINE • PAGE 11
THE OUTDOORS
bendbulletin.com/gooutdoors
HIKING THE SCOUT CAMP LOOP
BY MARK MORICAL
The Bulletin
C
rooked River Ranch is home to
about 10 miles of trails along the
Deschutes River Canyon and the
Crooked River Gorge, managed by the
Bureau of Land Management and the
Crooked River National Grassland. The
3-mile Scout Camp Loop Trail along
the Deschutes Canyon is well worth the
45-minute drive from Bend to reach the
trailhead. The trail leads hikers through
rocky terrain of sagebrush and juniper
trees before descending steeply into the
canyon. Views of the immense rock walls
and the river below open up to display the
High Desert in all its glory.
Directions: From Bend, drive north on
U.S. Highway 97. After passing through
Terrebonne, turn left onto Lower Bridge
Road. Follow signs to Crooked River
Ranch, and after 2 miles turn right on
43rd Street. After 1.7 miles turn left on
Chinook Drive. After 2.3 miles turn left on
Mustang Road. Go 1 mile and turn right
on Shad Road. After 1.5 miles turn right
on Peninsula Drive. Go 3.2 miles and turn
left on Meadow Road. Travel half a mile
and turn right on Scout Camp Trail Road.
Proceed to the parking area and trailhead
at the end of the road.
Activities allowed: The Scout Camp
Trail is designed for hiking only. Dogs are
allowed on the trail, but horseback riding,
biking and motorized vehicles are not al-
lowed. The trail is best hiked in a clock-
wise direction.
Wildflowers
along the
Scout Camp
Loop Trail.
Mark Morical/
Bulletin file
photo
Reporter: 541-383-0318, mmorical@bendbulletin.com
Outdoor pick of the week: Deschutes
River Trail — Awbrey Reach
MORE
OUTDOORS
COVERAGE
Find places to explore, conditions,
expert columns and outstanding
features in The Bulletin’s new
Explore Central Oregon section
in Friday’s paper
Makenzie Whittle/The Bulletin
The Deschutes River flows below houses near Archie Briggs Road.
One of the best things about living in Central
Oregon is that you’re never far from a nice hik-
ing, walking or biking trail.
Here in Bend, we have several great options
along the Deschutes River including the Awbrey
Reach section of the Deschutes River Trail.
This northernmost 3.9-mile section is built
on the buried Tumalo irrigation canal and is well
maintained, offering great river views as well as
the stunning river canyon.
Starting at Sawyer Park, the trail crosses the
river and continues along northwest along the
river until the water suddenly drops into a deep
canyon while the trail maintains a relatively flat
path along Awbrey Butte and through some of
the neighborhoods there until finally ending
near Awbrey Glen Golf Course.
It’s an easy and wide path that offers ample
social distancing even on more crowded days,
as well as several interpretive signs and benches
along the trek. Since the trail passes by many
private properties, be respectful of the residents
on the butte while enjoying the view.
— Makenzie Whittle, The Bulletin
Quality Leather Gloves
LES NEWMAN’S
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541-318-4868