Calendar

Past Activity

Badlands

  • Start date: 05/01/2018

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 05/04/2018

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

The Badlands Wilderness, under ten years old, about 20 miles east of Bend. This area is a classic high dessert hiking area. It contains many volcanic features, ancient juniper, sage and great vistas. It contains 50 plus miles of trails. I hiked one loop and checked out all the trailheads. I consider this trip exploratory in nature. There are no camping grounds right at the wilderness. The closest CG is a BLM CG on the Crooked River. Big Bend, is set along the river with good facilities. No water when I was there but according to BLM it should be on by the end of April. Breakfast and lunch on each individual. There will be a pre trip meeting on April 23rd Monday where I will hand out a small map of area and discuss the potential for group dinners. The weather in May should be moderate. But be prepared for cold nights, potential snow, rain or wind. I will call with the place and time of pre trip meeting. The Crooked River is open to catch and release fly fishing for red band trout and steelhead.

  • Event Leader: Jane Hackett

  • Event Leader Phone: 541-953-7046

  • Event Leader Email: hackett1575@comcast.net

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type:

  • Departure Location: Behind McDonalds, 57th and Main in Springfield

  • Rating: Moderate

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 375

  • Season: 2018

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Golden Age Pass if you have one. Tent, sleeping bag and all of that gear. Dress in layers, good boots, ten essentials. Food for breakfast and lunch. I will bring 2 burner coleman stove plus single burner for everyones use.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance:

  • Member Fees: 2

  • Elevation Gain: 200

  • Non-Member Fees: 10

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

Great trip with a great group of people. Driving over through Sisters on the way to Prineville we stopped at Wychus Creek Preserve east of Sisters for lunch. We hiked half way down the trail before we settled down to eat and enjoy the views of this canyon. We setup camp at Big Bend CG along the wild and scenic section of the Crooked River located in this amazing canyon. We had 3 dinners in Prineville 2 great and 1 not so much. But we had a great time. First hike to Flatiron and Castle Rocks. From Flatiron TH we headed out into old growth junipers on a wide open trail dotted with sand lily's. Both of these volcanic features appear to have pushed up out of ground and while the cooled deep cracks and crevices were created. We had lunch on Flatiron Rock and got our first views of mountains from Mt Hood to Bachelor Butte. We continued on to Castle Rock, bigger and a little higher with the same great views. We hiked through the cracks of Castle Rock and came out on the east side into a million footprints. Brad and Daphne saw the only large mammal, described as, "a large fat gray bunny". We cast around for the trail for 15 minutes before I decided to cut overland and connect with the Flatiron trail and the car. We then went to the Alfalfa Market for ice cream and cold drinks. Thursday we were joined by Dan Chamness, an Obsidian who lives in Prineville. He suggested we try the Larry Chitwood trail both for the mountain views and the historic left overs of the people who lived in this area in the 20's and 30's. We were amazed at the number and different kinds of rusted tin cans, bailing wire and glass scattered around in large piles in 3-4 areas. After this we went again to the market for recovery. Friday, Dave and Brad went off to the gorge for wildflower hikes. Daphne and I packed up, we met a couple who directed use to and eagles nest and they setup their spotting scope so we could see the 2 chicks in the nest. We then hiked the only trail in the canyon, Chimney Rock, that gave use a great view of the canyon.