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About The Bulletin. (Bend, OR) 1963-current | View Entire Issue (June 4, 2021)
B2 THE BULLETIN • FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021 CONDITIONS REPORT High Desert trails, camping and fishing EVENTS Looks like our June heatwave has subsided, Daily tours • Lava Cave Tours: A guided tour of a local lava tube exploring the geologic and human history as well as the ecology of the cave; 9 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; $65 to $90; Wanderlust Tours, 61535 S. Highway 97, Bend; wanderlusttours.com or 541-389-8359. • Brews & Views Kayak Tour: A naturalist-guided tour paddling on a lake in the Cascades with a local microbrew or root beer to enjoy afterward; 1:30-5:30 p.m.; $65 to $95; Wanderlust Tours, 61535 S. Highway 97, Bend; wanderlusttours.com or 541-389-8359 • Central Oregon Volcano Tour: Explore the Newberry Caldera with a naturalist guide around Paulina Lake; 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 2-6 p.m.; $70 to $95; Wanderlust Tours, 61535 S. Highway 97, Bend; wanderlusttours.com or 541-389-8359 • Cascade Lakes Canoe or Kayak Tour: Paddle around one of the mountain lakes with a naturalist guide; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or 2-6 p.m.; $70 to $95; Wanderlust Tours, 61535 S. Highway 97, Bend; wanderlusttours.com or 541-389-8359 • Starlight & Moonlight Canoe Tours: Watch twilight descend over the Cascades and enjoy a clear starry night while paddling on one of the mountain lakes; 8 p.m.- midnight; $100; Wanderlust Tours, 61535 S. Highway 97, Bend; wanderlusttours.com or 541-389-8359 and temps will be returning to a normal level this weekend. So get out and explore all the High Desert has to offer before the mercury rises again. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen and keep an eye out for wildflowers and critters wherever you venture this week. For a full list of conditions updated regularly, please visit centraloregonexplore.com. HIKING AND DAY USE SITES • NOTE: Many high elevation trails are open but are on seasonally closed or unmaintained roads and can only be able to be accessed by hiking in while the trails themselves may still be under deep snow. See Forest websites for more details and restrictions. Deschutes National Forest • Bessie Butte Trail: Open • Boyd Cave Day Use Area: Open • Horse Butte Trailhead: Open; snow and deadfall likely above Swamp Wells Horse Camp • Pine Mountain: Open • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Crack-in-the-Ground: Open Derrick Cave: Open Flatiron Rock Trail: Open Fossil Lake ACEC: Open; motor vehicles and fossil collecting prohibited Green Mountain: Open Huntington Wagon Road: Open Lost Forest: Open, vehicles restricted to designated roads only Lower Crooked River: Open North Fork: Open Oregon Badlands Wilderness Tumulus Trail: Open Redmond Caves Recreation Site: Open Scout Camp Trail: Open Steelhead Falls Trail: Open Trout Creek Trail: South side of trail, including Trout Creek climbing walls is closed through Aug. 31 • Alder Springs Trailhead: Open • Cyrus Trailhead: Open • Gray Butte Trailhead: Open • Henderson Flat OHV Trail System: Open • Henderson Flat Staging Area: Open • Rimrock Springs Trailhead: Open • Scales Corral Trailhead: Open • Skull Hollow Trailhead: Open • Tam-A-Lau Trailhead: Open • Trail Crossing Corrals Trailhead: Open Bureau of Land Management • Badlands Rock Trail: Open • Black Hills ACEC: Open; climbing and geocaching are prohibited • Chimney Rock Trail: Open • Christmas Valley Sand Dunes: Open • Cline Buttes Recreation Area: Portions of Deep Canyon, Fryrear, Maston and Jaguar Road are closed through Aug. 31 Mark Morical/Bulletin file photo A mountain biker rides along singletrack on Cline Buttes. Bureau of Land Management seasonal trail closures drone ban is in effect. CAMPING Deschutes National Forest • Updated at 8 a.m. June 3 • Lower Deschutes (Pelton Dam to Columbia River): 4,610 cfs; redband trout, steelhead, whitefish • Middle Deschutes (Benham Falls to Lake Billy Chinook): 4,030 cfs; brown trout, rainbow trout; anglers reporting good fishing and hatches are coming out during the warmest part of the day; artificial flies and lures only, no limit on brown trout • Crooked River (below Opal Springs): 1,186 cfs; rainbow trout and mountain whitefish; water level is higher but will be lower than average this summer; any trout over 20 inches are considered steelhead and must be released, bull trout must be released unharmed and reported to the USFW at crookedbulltrout@fws.gov • Metolius River: 1,700 cfs; bull trout, rainbow trout; good fishing and active hatches during warmest part of the day; fly fishing only upstream of Bridge 99, artificial lures and flies permitted below; catch and release only; public access to Wizard Falls Hatchery remains closed • Prineville Reservoir: 53% full; rainbow trout, small and largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, crayfish; bass and trout fishing has been good • Ochoco Reservoir: 22% full; rainbow trout, black crappie, smallmouth bass; water level is still extremely low and bank access is limited to walk-in only • Haystack Reservoir: 70% full; rainbow and brown trout, kokanee, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill and bullhead catfish; bass fishing should be good, trout will be harder to catch during the middle of the day especially from shore • Lake Billy Chinook: Bull, brown and rainbow trout, kokanee, smallmouth bass; bass fishing picking up with kokanee and bull trout fishing being fair • Palisades Campground: Open • Post Pile Campground: Open • Steelhead Falls: Open; no potable water • Stillwater Campground: Open CYCLING • Pine Mountain Campground: Open Ochoco National Forest East of Bend trails • Dry River Canyon: Closed through Aug. 31 • Crooked Arm, Holy Loop, Sand Canyon: Sandy and loose • Swamp Wells: Riding well, deadfall reported • All other trails riding well • Cyrus Horse Camp: Open • Haystack Reservoir Campground and Day Use Area: Open • Haystack Reservoir Group Site: Open • Haystack West Shore Campground and Day Use Area: Open • Skull Hollow Campground: Open Prineville and Ochoco trails BLM — Prineville District • Barr Road North Staging Area: Open • Big Bend Campground: Open • Buckhorn Staging Area: Open • Castle Rock Campground: Open • Chimney Rock Campground: Open • Cobble Rock Campground: Open • Lone Pine Campground: Open • Macks Canyon Recreation Site: Open Saturday 6/5 FISHING The following Bureau of Land Management trails are now closed through Aug. 31 to protect nesting raptors: • Millican Plateau OHV Trail System (Route 95 only) • South side of Trout Creek Trail including climbing walls • Cline Buttes Recreation Area (portions of Deep Canyon, Fryrear, Maston, Jaguar Road) • Horny Hollow Trail • Dry River Canyon For more information visit blm.gov • Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint: Open • Cove Palisades State Park: Open; all campgrounds, cabins and moorage slips are open • Fort Rock State Natural Area: Open; day-use hours 8 a.m,-8 p.m.; rock scrambling closed in southeast area to protect nesting falcons; cave tours canceled for 2021 • Jasper Point: Open • Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint: Open • Prineville Reservoir State Park: Open; no boat moorage; Powderhouse cove boat ramp is closed; Prineville Resort is closed and no fuel is available for purchase • Smith Rock State Park: Open — some services reduced and facility closures may be in pace; Bivouac camping open with limited availability, tent camping only, no reservations, showers for guests only; climbing closures to protect nesting raptors in place until August; park-wide Lupine grows along Rimrock Springs Trail between Prineville and Madras May 15. • Happy Hour Trail Ride ‘n Skills: The weekly clinic will work on specific skills needed for different biking trails including jumps and corners, technical climbs and descents and more; 4-6 p.m.; $90; new trail each week, around Bend, Bend; go.evvnt.com/794567-1 or 541-728-7878. See B9 OREGON STATE PARKS Ochoco National Forest Friday 6/4 Central Oregon reservoir levels • Independent Mine, Round Mountain: Winter mix • Lookout Mountain: Winter mix; deadfall reported • Cougar Creek: Riding well, deadfall reported • All other trails riding well Maston complex • All trails riding well Redmond trails • The Saddle: Closed for nesting eagles, likely to reopen late fall of 2021 • All trails riding well Madras East Trails • All trails riding well Fire restrictions Fire danger is currently listed as Moderate in the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests. Fire danger is listed as Low in the Willamette National Forest. Industrial Fire Precaution Level is currently at Level 1 for the Deschutes and Ochoco national forests and the Prineville District — Bureau of Land Management. Makenzie Whittle/ Bulletin file photo Smith Rock climbing closures To protect nesting raptors, the following climbing routes are closed: Cajun Cliff, Victoria Tower, Little Three Fingered Jack, Puddy’s Tower, The Monument, Anglin’s Buttress, French Tent Rock, First Kiss Area north of Monkey Face and Smith Rock Group NE Face (both towers, above 100 feet). The Canyon Trail near the bald eagle nest is restricted to groups of four or less and noise must be kept to a minimum. See smithrock.com/seasonal-closures for more information. LA PINE FRIDAY • Crooked River National Grassland Nest Box Trail Hike: On this easy 2-mile hike, we will monitor eight bluebirds and two kestrel nest boxes. We may see nests, eggs, and nestlings; 7:30-11 a.m.; registration required; Peninsula Road North of Crooked River Ranch, Terrebonne; eventbrite.com • CORK Saturday Long Run: A weekly group run for all paces. Social distancing observed at all times, limited to 25 runners; 8-11 a.m.; Thump Roastery, 549 NW York Drive, Bend; go.evvnt.com/794622-0 • Kids’ Bird Walk: Mary Yanalcanlin of the East Cascades Audubon Society will lead kids 4-10 with a grown-up through the preserve exploring bird habitats and more; 9-11 a.m.; registration required; Camp Polk Meadow Preserve, Cemetery Road, Sisters; go.evvnt.com/793328-1 or 541-330-0017. • Beginner/Intermediate Skills Bike Clinic: The clinic will work on bike set up and body position then skills in the afternoon including braking, shifting cornering, switchbacks, wheel lifts and more; 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; $75; Seventh Mountain Resort, 18575 SW Century Drive, Bend; go.evvnt.com/794570-1 or 541-728-7878. • Cornering and Switchbacks Clinic: The clinic will work on dialing in body position on the bike and understanding how to handle different types of corners; 1:30-3:30 p.m.; $75; Seventh Mountain Resort, 18575 SW Century Drive, Bend; go.evvnt.com/794573-1 or 541-728-7878. • The Crux Fermentation Experience at Smith Rock: Departing from the Bend brewery the guided hike will examine the wildlife, geology, agriculture, water and rock of the state park while sipping on Crux’s Gypsy Coolship, brewed in the open air; 1:30-6:30 p.m.; $165; Crux Fermentation Project, 50 SW Division St., Bend; go.evvnt. com/793307-1 or 541-389-8359. Sunday 6/6 • Skills and Ride Clinic: The clinic will start with basic dialing in the bikes and working on body position before progressing through several more skills and then hopping on a nearby trail to test out the newly learned skill; 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; $99; Seventh Mountain Resort, 18575 SW Century Drive, Bend; go.evvnt.com/794598-1 or 541-728- 7878. Tuesday 6/8 • Whychus Canyon Preserve: Enjoy hiking through this 930-acre Preserve along the Whychus Creek. Wildflowers will be abundant so be sure to bring your native plant book; 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; registration required; Whychus Canyon Preserve, 69899 Goodrich Road, Sisters; eventbrite.com Wednesday 6/9 • Nature’s Best Hope: Join Dr. Doug Tallamy, entomologist and author will discuss the essential roles insects play and describe the simple changes we must make to keep insects on the ground, in the air and on our plants; noon-1:30 p.m.; online; go.evvnt.com/790451-0 or 541-382-4754. • American Sign Language on the Trail: Cara Frank will teach a virtual class in learning some common nature words through ASL. Suitable for all ages; 2:30-3:30 p.m.; registration required; online; go.evvnt.com/793334-1 or 541-330-0017. • Women’s Foundational Skills Bike Clinic: Women new to mountain biking can learn fundamental skills to feel more confident setting up the bike, shifting, braking and navigating small trail obstacles; 5:30-7:30 p.m.; $75; Seventh Mountain Resort, 18575 SW Century Drive, Bend; go.evvnt. com/794554-2 or 541-728-7878. • CLBC Bend Brewpub Run: A 3-5 mile group run will start and end at the brewpub, each runner will receive a half-off voucher for a pint; 5:45-8 p.m.; Cascade Lakes Brewpub, 1441 SW Chandler Ave., Bend; go.evvnt.com/773535-0 or 541-388-4998. Thursday 6/10 • Medicinal/Useful Plants and Evidence of the Past: A moderate, guided, scenic hike down from Shelf Court discovering the hidden treasures flourishing in the Middle Deschutes Canyon; 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; registration required; Southwest Shelf Court, Crooked River Ranch; eventbrite.com • CORK Thursday Run: A 3-5 mile weekly run along the river trail will take place. Social distancing must be observed at all times. Limited to 25 runners; 6-8 p.m.; Zpizza Tap Room, 1082 SW Yates Drive, Bend; go.evvnt.com/794618-0 SISTERS SATURDAY SUNDAY FRIDAY 80°/40° 67°/33° 66°/34° MILES N SATURDAY 0 SUNDAY 10 83°/47° 67°/38° 69°/38° 46 ELEVATION: 4,236 FEET ELEVATION: 3,182 FEET 20 97 126 Lava Butte Lake Billy Chinook Deschutes River BEND FRIDAY Newberry Volcano SATURDAY SUNDAY 85°/48° 70/40° 70°/38° ELEVATION: 3,623 FEET REDMOND FRIDAY 97 SATURDAY SUNDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 85°/45° 71°/35° 71°/37° 87°/48° 70°/43° 73°/41° ELEVATION: 3,077 FEET ELEVATION: 2,242 FEET 20 Sources: Accuweather, U.S. Geological Survey Clarinda Simpson/Bulletin graphic MADRAS Smith Rock
