B10 The BulleTin • Friday, april 16, 2021
TOP PICKS
WHERE TO EXPLORE
Trails and parks in and around Bend
A cyclist
rides on
a portion
of the
Central
Oregon
Historic
Canal
Trail.
Central Oregon Historic Canal Trail — Maintained by Bend Park and Recreation,
the unpaved 4-mile trail along one section of the canal starting at Blakely Park gently
follows the historic waterway from the Deschutes River and beyond. Note, only a few
sections of the canal are open to pedestrians, please respect closed areas and private
property.
Pilot Butte — The summit road has reopened for the first time since 2019 making the
best view of the city accessible for anyone wanting to drive or hike up. Hikers can use
the well-maintained trail to avoid cars, but drivers should use caution around pedes-
trians on the roadside. Whatever way you choose to ascend, the sights at the top are
worth the time.
Good Dog Loop — The 3.5-mile pooch-friendly trail located off Century Drive at the
Rimrock Trailhead is a combination of three different sections of trails: The Deschutes
River, Rimrock and Deschutes River Connect trails according to trailforks.com. Any
given day, you can see hikers and their canine companions enjoying the easy trail that
loops down to the Deschutes River and features some interesting rock formations
along the way. You may even catch sight of an osprey flying above.
Submitted
photo
— Makenzie Whittle, The Bulletin
Gray Butte
No trail leads to the summit,
but a gravel road does, if your
legs aren’t burning enough
from the previous hills.
Because this area is still
used for active grazing, there
are several cattle gates to pass
through. Be sure to securely
close the gates behind you.
This prevents cattle from leav-
ing the allotment where the
rancher has both been permit-
ted to keep them and expects
to find them. Help them out
and be respectful by closing
gates.
Gray Butte also has a repu-
tation for its “gumbo,” the slip-
pery, claylike mud that sticks to
your shoes and tires. This has
been a pretty dry spring so far,
but with a good rainstorm or
in wetter years, the trails can
become messy. If the trails are
muddy at all, turn back and ex-
plore somewhere else. Not only
will the mud be a nuisance, but
running and riding in those
conditions can also destroy the
trail tread, creating ruts and
deep footprints when it dries.
Always be respectful of other
users on the trail. Hikers, bik-
ers and runners should yield to
horseback riders, taking care
not to spook horses and step-
ping off the trail to let them
pass.
Located in Downtown Bend
Bend Trails
Continued from B1
Bendtrails.org has good in-
formation and maps of this
area. Its website includes
conditions updates from us-
ers who were recently in the
area which can be helpful
with the changing seasons.
Cristina Peterson/For The Bulletin
An arrowhead balsamroot alongside a trail on Gray Butte.
If the timing is right, ar-
rowhead balsamroot, which
resembles a sunflower and
grows in small groups on rocky
slopes, will brighten the trail-
sides with pops of color. Lu-
pine, the purple, cone-shaped
cluster of blooms, also lines
sections of the trail, adding a
sweet fragrance to the air. Each
spring varies with moisture
and temperatures so catching
the wildflowers at their peak
always feels like a special oc-
casion.
Contrary to its name, Gray
Butte can be full of color in the
spring when the grasses green
up, bright wildflowers bloom
and the sky becomes a deep
blue.
is Central Oregon’s foremost wine
bar/shop. It features:
Wine by the glass,
Premium selection of wine,
Champagne, Ports and sake,
Bottles to go,
On-line ordering & shipping,
Public wine tastings,
Three wine clubs, & more!
Tues-Thurs 11-6:30
Fri/Sat 12-8
Sun/Mon Closed
141 NW Minnesota Ave 541.410.1470
Columbia Park
access closure
As of July 22, Deschutes
River access is closed due to
safety concerns and to pre-
vent further erosion to the
river bank. The access point
will be closed until further
notice. For more information
visit bendparksandrec.org
Two classes on April 17,
9:00 am or 12:00 pm
Bend Country Inn
62065 SE 27th St., Bend, OR
LES NEWMAN’S
Multi-State: $80.00
Oregon Included No Fee
Oregon Only: $45.00
QUALITY OUTDOOR WEAR
On NE Franklin Avenue across from Les Schwab
541-318-4868
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