SCOUT CAMP TRAIL

 

Scout Camp Trail

               

The Scout Camp Trail opened this year - 2010 - and on a beautiful day in May with temps in the low 60s, we ventured out. (The only hikers we encountered were the three who pulled up to the trailhead parking lot as we were leaving.)

The 3-mile loop is rated very difficult by the Oregon National Desert Association and drops 700' into the Deschutes River Canyon. It is narrow with steep drop-offs in some places and, even though we had hiking poles and good treads on our hiking boots, we slid in a few places over the loose dirt and gravel.

 

 

 

From the trailhead, the path heads northwest for about 1/2 mile to the canyon rim.

     
Scout Camp Trail Head

 

 

Scout Camp Trail
 

Where the trail starts dropping into the canyon, there are views of the Cascade Range in the distance.

 

 

Scout Camp Trail Sign
     

This sign (at .8 mile) marks where the return loop connects. As indicated, you should stay to the left. This keeps traffic going in a one-way loop, which is important as there are places along the trail where it would be difficult to pass other hikers.

 

 

 

Scout Camp Trail
 

The scenery is gorgeous as the trail drops into the canyon and the Deschutes sparkles from far below.

 

 

 

 

On our maiden voyage into the canyon in May, the grasses were still green and several varieties of wildflowers were already blooming.

 

 

     

Scout Camp Trail

 

 

Scout Camp Trail
     

 

Blue skies and low-hanging  clouds served as the perfect backdrop to some of the dramatic rock formations.

 

 

Scout Camp Trail
 

Gary is walking a bit tipsy in this photo.

 

 

 

Gary caught this osprey circling overhead. We also happened across a rabbit and several deer above the canyon rim, and a ground squirrel scurrying across the rocks deep in the canyon.  

 

 

    
Scout Camp Trail

 

 

Scout Camp Trail
     

 

We ate our lunch above the river to the sound of rapids.

 

 

 

 

There is a place at river level where the path ends at a rock wall. Literally. We tried to go around the wall that dips into the river, but weren't dressed for swimming the rapids. We retraced our steps to see if we had somehow gotten off the beaten track, but no.

 And so we clambered up and over the rock wall, hoping the trail would pick back up on the other side. It did.

They need a sign that would read something like: "Climb straight up here. The trail resumes on the other side ... trust me."  

    
Scout Camp Trail

 

 

Scout Camp Trail
   

 

On the return loop out of the canyon, the path down below follows the river on a less precarious portion of the trail.

 

 

 

Elevation Drop: 700' elevation drop (approx 2,700 at canyon rim and 2000' at river's edge)

Trail distance: 3+ mile loop

Rated: Very Difficult (rated by the Oregon National Desert Association)

Latitude: 44.27659

Longitude: 121.19353

Directions: From U.S. 97, just north of Terrebonne, turn left (west) on to Lower Bridge Road (sign with left arrow says Crooked River Ranch). After two miles turn right on 43rd Street. Go 1.7 miles and turn left on Chinook Drive. After 2.3 miles turn left on Mustang. Travel 1.1 miles and turn right on Shad Road, then 1.4 miles and turn right on Peninsula Drive. After 3.2 miles, turn left on Meadow Road; travel 0.5 mile to Scout Camp Trail. Turn right and go 0.2 mile to the trailhead.

The trail, for hikers only, heads over to and then down into the Deschutes River Canyon for about a 3-mile loop.

Fees: NW Forest Pass required.