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About The Bulletin. (Bend, OR) 1963-current | View Entire Issue (June 11, 2021)
B12 T H E B U L L E T I N • F R I D A Y , J U N E 1 1 , 2 0 2 1 top picks WHERE TO EXPLORE Top picks south of Bend Crescent Lake —The lake level may be in credibly low this year and it may be difficult to launch your boat but the views are still worth the trip south. Right now the gently sloping and exposed shoreline is filled with vibrant purple flowering lupin all within reach from just about any day use or campground site. Add in the snow-capped view of Diamond Peak and you've got a wonderful day out. Maiden Peak—The trail to the summit of the 7,805-foot peak near Odell Lake may still have some sections of snow along its 17 mile out-and-back. It travels along forested hillsides, the Rosary Lakes and up to the peak that offers stunning views of southern Oregon.The trail is listed as difficult due to its over 3,000-foot ele vation gain. Paulina Lake Loop Trail—While Paulina Peak and even Big Obsidian Flow may still be un der some lingering snow, the easier loop trail around the caldera's lake is snow free and clear for summer hikes. Clocking in at 7.5 miles round trip, the day hike takes you around the entire lake through lava fields, skirting hot springs and has great views of the peak above it all. — Photo and story byMakenzie Whittle, The Bulletin Diamond Peak as seen from Spring Campground at Crescent Lake on June 6. ssss Mark Morical/The Bulletin Water features along Paulina Creek near Newberry Crater. Water Continued from B1 But we reached the shade of taller trees soon enough. It was not long before we encountered the first small wa terfall feature. After that, we came across waterfalls about every half-mile or so. Highlights included a small but beautiful waterfall that hikers can walk nearly all the way behind, taking in the mist and the thick moss that lines the rocks behind the falls. There is also a wider double falls a bit farther up the trail. Hikers can walk out onto smooth, flat rocks for an up- close view of these falls. Towering Paulina Creek Falls near Paulina Lake marks the east end of the trail, but we had no inter est in hiking that far. Walk ing all the way to those falls and Paulina Lake would be about a 14-mile round trip, and that was way more than we wanted to attempt. Be sides, Paulina Creek Falls can be viewed after a short walk from a parking area farther up the road. Later in the summer, Pau lina Creek transitions from a hiking destination to a swim- ming-and-sliding destina tion. A few of the waterfalls along the creek form naturally smooth rock slides, and many adventurers enjoy sliding down these formations on hot summer days. Three years ago, Johnson and I hiked the trail in August, and we came across dozens of folks enjoying the cold wa ter slides on a hot day. In late spring though, nobody ap peared bold enough to take the plunge on a day when tem peratures reached about 80 degrees. We also saw far fewer other hikers in general this time around, coming across just three or four other trek- kers. (The Peter Skene Ogden Trail is open to biking as well, but uphill only) After hiking about 3 miles, we decided to turn around and head back to McKay Crossing, making for about a 6-mile trek that required about 2 hours, 40 minutes. We gained nearly 700 feet on the hike, topping out at an elevation of 5,420 feet. (Paulina Lake sits at 6,331 feet, nearly 1,000 feet higher up the trail.) Paulina Creek certainly makes for an enjoyable and scenic hike, especially during the late spring before the crowds of swimmers and slid ers arrive. Aside from hiking, New berry Crater offers a bounty of recreational activities. The fishing in Paulina and East lakes can be phenomenal, and this time of year the kokanee are usually biting. As the snow melts at higher elevations this summer the hiking trail up Paulina Peak (7,984 feet) and the Newberry Crater rim loop, popular with mountain bikers, become accessible. Bur for now, a relatively easy and peaceful walk along Pau lina Creek is enough to enjoy the natural water wonders of Newberry. ■ Reporter: 541-383-0318, mmorical@bendbulletin.com SINCE 1897 BEER STOP THE BEST STOP FOR CRAFT BEER LES NEWMAN’S QUALITY OUTDOOR WEAR BEER STOP CROWLERS On NE Franklin Avenue across from Les Schwab 541 318-4868 2498 S. HWY 97 Suite C • Redmond, OR 97756 - A Lifetime of Memories! We know the magical and memorable experiences of live events are important to you. They're treasured by us, too. Join or renew today so we can create new memories tomorrow! Membership info at TowerTheatre.org/support/membership APPLAUSE PARTNERS SHOWCASE PARTNERS: C O R A Sotheby's INTERNATIONAL REALTY STEVE &CWDE \l\GIDSO\ TERRY REYNOLDS BRAVO PARTNERS SALLY RUSSELL O Riverside animal hospital First Inters Interstate Bank SALVESEN NORTHWEST