If you are looking for a new place to explore, there are two great new day hikes North of Bend that are worth finding, the Scout Camp Trail and the Otter Bench Trail System. Both trails are new and resulted from collaboration between the BLM, Forest Service, Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, and Crooked River Ranch residents. If you decide to explore this area, please tread “lightly on the land” and practice low-impact habits by staying on the trails in order to protect the fragile soils and habitat. Also, be aware that this area get’s really hot and you may find rattlesnake later in the summer.
The Otter Bench Trails are a great place to hike this time of year. If you haven’t explored this area along the Crooked River you are in for a real treat. 7 miles or so of hiking, gorgeous views of a river so green it’s hard to imagine, amazing wildflowers, and a few million years worth of geologic history.
Directions to Otter Bench Trailhead from Highway 97
From Highway 97, just north of Terrebonne, turn left on to Lower Bridge Road
(Sign with left arrow says “Crooked River Ranch”).
After 2 miles turn right on 43rd St.
After 1.7 miles turn left on Chinook Dr.
After 5 miles (including a steep descent), go straight on to Horny Hollow Rd (do
not take Chinook back up the switchback)
Go 1.7 miles to the end of the pavement and park there.
From the trailhead the Otter Bench Trail (hikers, mountain bikes, & horses) heads west for 1.7 miles along the side slope with nice views of the canyon–this is the easiest of the trail system. At the end of Otter Bench Trail you can descend on the Pink Trail for .4 miles to a lovely spot along the Crooked River or continue out to 3.5 mile Opal Canyon loop.
The other hike to check out will take you to the confluence of the Deshutes River and Whychus Creek. While The Scout Camp Trail might not look like much on paper (only 2.2 miles long), it does take most visitors 2-3 hours to complete. The trail is a narrow steep twisting and has been rated “most difficult” by the BLM. The trail is in the Steelhead Falls Wilderness Study Area. If you would like more information about the proposed Whychus-Deschutes Wilderness Click Here.
Directions to Scout Camp Loop Trailhead from Highway 97
From Highway 97, just north of Terrebonne, turn left on to Lower Bridge Road
(Sign with left arrow says “Crooked River Ranch”).
After 2 miles turn right on 43rd St.
After 1.7 miles turn left on Chinook Dr.
After 2.3 miles turn left on Mustang.
Travel 1.1 mile and turn right on Shad Rd.
Travel 1.4 mile and turn right on Peninsula Drive.
Travel 3.2 miles and turn left on Meadow Rd.
Travel 1/2 mile and turn right on Scout Camp Trail. Go .2 mile and park at the
end.
Here is a PDF of the trail maps and driving directions: Scott Camp and Otter Bench PDF
Thanks to all the folks at Oregon Natural Dessert Association for turning me on to these hikes this winter.
