I'll be heading over to the Bend area mid-April and again in the second half of May. I haven't done anything photographically in that area and was looking for some tips on places to go. In April, I'll have just two evenings, two mornings with one full day to get around. In May, I'll have three evenings and three mornings, but I won't have much time during the day to travel too far due to meetings I'll be attending there. The April trip is just a getaway.
If anyone has some decent locations that are fairly easy to get to, either by vehicle or short hike, I'd appreciate it.
Ryan
Posted by Tom Kloster on March 27, 2008 at 11:51 PM
That's somewhat early for a lot of the trails over there, but the Tumalo Falls trail ought to be open by then. Also, there are plenty of roadside opportunities along the Cascade Lakes route (past Sparks Lake), so that might be a good fit for your evening/morning windows. Sounds like fun!
Posted by Greg Vaughn on March 28, 2008 at 12:34 AM
How about Smith Rock State Park? Nice view of Crooked River and the rock climbing cliffs from the picnic area near the parking lot. Just after sunrise can be very good.
In the other direction, maybe Fort Rock if you can get away from meetings in time to be there for just before sunset light.
With all the snow in the lately, there's a chance Cascade Lakes Highway won't be open (except for x-c skiing and snowmobiles) past Mt. Bachelor until June.
Benham Falls on the Deschutes, south of Bend, should be accessible by then. I think the view is better from the west side, rather than from the east through Lava Lands.
Posted by Adrian Klein on March 28, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Ryan, I was just there last weekend (camping on Tumalo Mt) and I will be surprised if the Cascade Lakes hwy is open past Bachelor prior to June. There is still plenty of snow on the ground (and of course much new this week too). If you are into some snowshoeing or x-c skiing you may have some opps for that in April. Otherwise I am not too much help since most places I go down there like Three Sisters Wildreness or further down the highway for hikes will still be snow covered in April and May.
That gives me a few places to look into at least. I figured that there would still be quite a bit of snow for some driving route, but we'll work with what's there. In April we are staying at the Pine Ridge Inn, which looks like a nice place. In May I'll be at Sunriver. I've visited Smith Rock a few times, so I probably won't return there, but I haven't explored south of there very much.
Posted by Marc Adamus on March 28, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Ryan, being as though Bend has been pretty much a second home of mine for a couple decades, I can offer some suggestions. They are correct Cascade Lakes will not open up to vehicles until later. Probably not until mid-June or later this year!
One area I can suggest for either your April or May trip, would be the fantastic Ponderosa groves just up McKenzie Hwy. from Sisters, and also to the West of Sisters on US20. I short jaunt off the highway and you'll be amidst very striking old growth Ponderosa, IMO Oregon's most photogenic trees.
One area that sees absolutely zero photographer traffic, is Pine Mountain, 25 miles East of Bend. Take China Hat road (S of Bend) East until it turns to gravel and turn onto NFD 23 (Sand Springs Road) which takes you by the South face of Pine Mountain Ridge which you can drive up in a 4x4 via NFD 2017. Once at the summit ridge, proceed to hike East for the remaining 100 vertical feet (1/4 mile) up to the ridgetop where striking views and interesting gnarled old trees await. This may be accessible in April, depeding on weather between now and then. It was almost doable last week.
Another suggestion that involves a little hiking is the Crooked River gorge, 30 miles NE of Bend. The byway starts 10 miles East of Millican and heads North, leading into a very deep and impressive gorge past the dam. While somewhat photogenic from inside, the real photo rewards can be gained from looking at some topos and picking spots to scramble cross country up to the river canyon overlooks, a few hundred vertical feet above.
As Adrian mentions, Tumalo mountain is a great destination too. It's just across from Bachleor and offers stunning snowy views from its summit which is reached via snowshoe/ski trail in about 2 hours for most. Tumalo's summit is probably the best overall opportunity for landscapes around Bend this time of year.
If you have a long day in April, you can always drive down to the Fort Rock Sand Dunes or Lost Forest, 120 miles SE of Bend. Nice photo opportunities and a scenic drive. The Ponderosas between LaPine and Silver Lake along the way are nice too, interspersed with dramatic rocky outcrops. Fort Rock itself is a pretty place too.
Horse ridge natural area 30mi E of Bend is reached via Jeep Trails off Fort Rock Road (South off US 20) or via China Hat road and offers beautiful bunch-grasses (very photogenic) and open meadows with nice views.
Anyway, these are just a few options. There are plenty more. I really like a lot of the open spaces on the NFD roads East of Bend.
Thanks for the suggestions Marc, I'm not familiar with the area at all, so that is great info. Several of those places sound very interesting. Hopefully, I'll get something post-worthy.
Discussion
6 repliesIf anyone has some decent locations that are fairly easy to get to, either by vehicle or short hike, I'd appreciate it.
Ryan
In the other direction, maybe Fort Rock if you can get away from meetings in time to be there for just before sunset light.
With all the snow in the lately, there's a chance Cascade Lakes Highway won't be open (except for x-c skiing and snowmobiles) past Mt. Bachelor until June.
Benham Falls on the Deschutes, south of Bend, should be accessible by then. I think the view is better from the west side, rather than from the east through Lava Lands.
One area I can suggest for either your April or May trip, would be the fantastic Ponderosa groves just up McKenzie Hwy. from Sisters, and also to the West of Sisters on US20. I short jaunt off the highway and you'll be amidst very striking old growth Ponderosa, IMO Oregon's most photogenic trees.
One area that sees absolutely zero photographer traffic, is Pine Mountain, 25 miles East of Bend. Take China Hat road (S of Bend) East until it turns to gravel and turn onto NFD 23 (Sand Springs Road) which takes you by the South face of Pine Mountain Ridge which you can drive up in a 4x4 via NFD 2017. Once at the summit ridge, proceed to hike East for the remaining 100 vertical feet (1/4 mile) up to the ridgetop where striking views and interesting gnarled old trees await. This may be accessible in April, depeding on weather between now and then. It was almost doable last week.
Another suggestion that involves a little hiking is the Crooked River gorge, 30 miles NE of Bend. The byway starts 10 miles East of Millican and heads North, leading into a very deep and impressive gorge past the dam. While somewhat photogenic from inside, the real photo rewards can be gained from looking at some topos and picking spots to scramble cross country up to the river canyon overlooks, a few hundred vertical feet above.
As Adrian mentions, Tumalo mountain is a great destination too. It's just across from Bachleor and offers stunning snowy views from its summit which is reached via snowshoe/ski trail in about 2 hours for most. Tumalo's summit is probably the best overall opportunity for landscapes around Bend this time of year.
If you have a long day in April, you can always drive down to the Fort Rock Sand Dunes or Lost Forest, 120 miles SE of Bend. Nice photo opportunities and a scenic drive. The Ponderosas between LaPine and Silver Lake along the way are nice too, interspersed with dramatic rocky outcrops. Fort Rock itself is a pretty place too.
Horse ridge natural area 30mi E of Bend is reached via Jeep Trails off Fort Rock Road (South off US 20) or via China Hat road and offers beautiful bunch-grasses (very photogenic) and open meadows with nice views.
Anyway, these are just a few options. There are plenty more. I really like a lot of the open spaces on the NFD roads East of Bend.