There is a place where the Deschutes River empties out of Crane Prairie Reservoir and makes its way to Wickiup Reservoir near the Sheep Bridge Campground. In November, Bald and Golden Eagles hang out in the tall trees across the river, hoping for a fresh salmon catch.

If you visit in November, take your binoculars and snowshoes. We spotted over a dozen of the large, magnificent birds on our most recent November visit.

We parked at the deserted Sheep Bridge Campground, and snow-shoed  along the river's edge in both directions, breaking trail in soft snow and counting eagles across the river.

Elevation: Approximately 4,400 feet in elevation

Trail distance: Up to you!

Rated: Easy

Latitude: 43.73222

Longitude: 121.78583

Directions: From Bend, travel approx 27 miles south on Hwy 97 to Wickiup Junction (a small junction of shops/stores approx 2 miles north of LaPine). Just past milepost 165 at Wickiup Junction, turn right on Burgess Road (green highway sign will read, "Wickiup Reservoir/Crane Prairie Reservoir").

Travel 11 miles west to stop sign at S. Century Drive (County Road 42). Turn left and travel approx 4.5 miles, watching for Twin Lakes sign. At the sign, turn left onto Forest Road 4260 and travel 0.7 miles to the Sheep Bridge Campground sign. Turn right and travel 0.6 miles to the parking area. From here, it's a short walk to the river's edge.

Fees: No fees.