Tam-a-lau Trail - Cove Palisades State Park

Visiting Central Oregon for a few days? I definitely recommend a day trip to Lake Billy Chinook. Whether you want to hike or rent a boat and explore the confluence of the Deschutes River and the Crooked River, this is a trip worth making.

This six mile loop hike allows you to explore up above Lake Billy Chinook. It is a great beginner hike to ease in to the season, with a gain of 600 feet. Once atop the plateau there are incredible panorama views of the lake and canyon. There are virtually no trees, so bring your bucket hat and sunscreen.

To get to the trailhead take highway 97 to Culver, take Jericho Lane to SW Feather Drive. Take another left to Fisch Lane then a right on Frazier Driver. There will be signs directing you. To access the trail park at the Upper Deschutes Day Use Area then cross Jordan Road to begin the ascent. This is a fee park, but the NW Forest Pass is allowed.

Enjoy!

Adam, Rita and Baby G at the viewpoint.

Early morning start, Lola scoping the scene for chipmunks.

Always on the hunt.

Found one!

April in Sisters is chilly...

Breakfast at Proust Coffee with baby G.

View of the Deschutes from the plateau.

Deschutes River to the right, Crooked River to the left.

Central Oregon's largest burger at Wild Ride.

Ascending to the plateau.

Adam, Elaine & Baby G.

More views from the top.

Post-hike swim.

Way too cold for this one to get in.

Moon meadow wild flowers at my parent's house.

Trail of Ten Falls - Silver Falls State Park

We are well underway in 2017 and I am so far behind on updating the blog. Our first intro into the hiking season was Silver Falls State Park this April. Oregon had/is having a wet year, which is good. Lots of snow in the lower elevation mountains has kept our hiking at bay, but it has also provided some dynamite cross country skiing.

Silver Falls Trail of Ten Falls is a very popular hike and one I had to check off the to-do list. We had every intention of seeing all ten falls, but two waterfalls eluded us. In 8.7 miles you see 10 waterfalls... in terms of bang for your buck, it's no wonder this is such a popular hike. It is also very mild in terms of elevation, 1,300 feet. If you are in the Salem area, you should at least take a quick stop off of highway 214 to see what this park has to offer.

Start/end at the South Falls Ldoge Trailhead. Drive Interstate 5 to Salem. Drive east on Highway 22 to exit 7, signed for OR Highway 214 and continue on hwy 214 for 4.2 miles to Silver Falls State Park.There is a fee at this park, so bring some cash.