Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Another good hike is to Green Lake Basin , on a high plateau between 9173ft Broken
Top and 10,358ft South Sister. These celadon-green lakes are the centerpiece of a tre-
mendous wildflower display in July and August, when the area throngs with crowds - es-
pecially on weekends. Park at the Green Lakes Trailhead along Hwy 46, above Sparks
Lake, and hike north. The 4.4-mile trail is fairly steep but passes some great waterfalls.
Strong, experienced and prepared hikers should consider climbing South Sister . It's
Oregon's third-highest peak, but during summer the southern approach doesn't demand
any technical equipment. The steep 6-mile trail (4900ft elevation gain) begins near
Devils Lake (just off the Cascade Lakes Hwy) and is passable only in late summer.
For more information on this region contact either the McKenzie River Ranger Dis-
trict (57600 McKenzie Hwy, McKenzie Bridge; 8am-4:30pm, reduced hours winter) or the
Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District ( Click here ). Note that a Northwest Forest Pass is re-
quired to park at the Green Lake Basin and South Sister trailheads.
SMITH ROCK, COVE PALISADES & MILL CREEK
Best known for its glorious rock climbing, Smith Rock State Park ( 800-551-6949;
www.oregonstateparks.org ; 9241 NE Crooked River Dr; day use $5) boasts rust-colored 800ft
cliffs that tower over the pretty Crooked River. Nonclimbers have several miles of
fine hiking trails, some of which involve a little simple rock scrambling. Nearby Ter-
rebonne has a climbing store, along with some restaurants and grocery stores.
There's camping ( 800-551-6949; www.oregonstateparks.org ; 9241 NE Crooked River Dr; sites
per person $5) right next to the park, or at Skull Hollow (no water; campsites $5), 8
miles east. The nearest motels are a few miles south in Redmond.
Just a couple miles north of Smith Rock, Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic
Viewpoint highlights a stunning 300ft-deep gorge. You can walk over the old high-
way bridge and look down at the Crooked River waaay below.
Rent boats ( 541-546-3521) at the marina in spectacular Lake Billy Chinook, in
Cove Palisades State Park ( 541-546-3412; www.oregonstateparks.org ; day-use fee $5) . Or
hike the 7-mile Tam-a-láu Trail for spring wildflowers and great views. There's
camping ( 800-551-6949; www.oregonstateparks.org ; tent/RV sites $20/26, cabins $80) near
the lake, or motels 15 miles northeast in Madras.
The gently sloping Ochoco Mountains undulate across much of Central Oregon,
offering good hikes near Prineville in the Mill Creek Wilderness . For a good hike,
follow US 26 east from town for 9 miles, and head north on USFS Rd 33 for about
10 miles to Wildcat Campground. From here a trail winds along the East Fork of Mill
Creek through a lovely pine forest, eventually reaching Twin Pillars , a couple of
spirelike volcanic crags (16.5 miles round-trip). The Prineville Ranger Station (
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