This year we are really going at the hiking thing. We really love hiking as a family. We are starting off small with 4-5 mile hikes since that is reasonable for kids. Blow you will find the hikes we have been on so far, pictures from the hike and how to get there. ENJOY!
BLACK BUTTE
Sisters, Oregon
We love this hike for a "quick" local hike. It is 2.2 miles all the way to the top of the butte, and then back down. The hike is listed as EASY on hiking sites, but if you are a first time I'd say more MODERATE for it's pretty much uphill the whole way to the top and the top can be pretty treacherous. All three of my kids have done this hike many a times and it takes about 3-4 hours depending on how long you spend at the top. There is a new yurt that was put in at the top, don't really know it's purpose, but it doesn't say to stay out. $5 PARKING FEE.
DIRECTIONS:
Drive HWY 22 west of Sisters 5.5 miles (or east of Santiam Pass 13.5 miles) to Indian Ford Campground, near milepost 95. Turn north onto a paved Green Ridge Road 11. After 3.8 miles, turn left onto gravle Road 1110 for 5.1 miles to a parking area at the road's end.
TAMOLITCH POOL (BLUE POOL)
Mackenzie River Bridge, Oregon
Such a beautiful hike this is, very short and EASY for the whole family. The destination is well worth the hike, but don't expect to get down to the water with very young children. The view is spectacular, and the hike ends above the pool (the hike continues if you wish the hike to be father the whole Mackenzie trail is around 20 miles long). There is a way to get down to the water, but it is not an actual trail and can be very dangerous. My 5-year-old was able to do it, but she has been hiking since she was 3-years-old. I do not recommend going down to the water with very young children.
DIRECTIONS:
To get here take the Mckenzie Hwy 126 14 miles east of McKenzie Bridge. If you are coming from Hwy 20 junction it's about 10 miles past south of the junction. Turn at the Trailbridge Campground sign, you will cross a bridge and quickly turn right onto a gravel road. After about a third of a mile park at the signs for the trailhead.
COFFIN MOUNTAIN
To get here take the Mckenzie Hwy 126 14 miles east of McKenzie Bridge. If you are coming from Hwy 20 junction it's about 10 miles past south of the junction. Turn at the Trailbridge Campground sign, you will cross a bridge and quickly turn right onto a gravel road. After about a third of a mile park at the signs for the trailhead.
COFFIN MOUNTAIN
Detroit, Oregon
This was a last minute hike we decided to do for Father's Day this year. Another simple 4.4 mile in and back hike. Since it is Mid-June all of the flowers were in bloom and the trails was absolutely beautiful. Now we didn't have the best weather, but we did not let that bother us we enjoyed every minute of the rain, and being inside a cloud, we even got a small break in the clouds on our way back down and got to see the whole valley. We will be doing this hike again on a sunny clear day. NO FEE.
DIRECTIONS:
From Portland, take I-5 south to Salem where you will pick up on Hwy 22 East at Exit 253. Take this East for almost 69 miles. Just before mile marker 69, turn right onto Straight Creek Road (paved). Take this just over 4 miles to a fork where there is supposed to be a sign for Coffin Mountain Trailhead but we did not see one. It is road 1168 and there is a sign designating it as such. Take this right fork and go 3.8 miles to an unmarked road on the left. A few dozen yards on this road and you are at the trailhead.
If you are coming from the east (Bend), take Hwy 20 to the Hwy 20/22 junction where you will go right and continue on Hwy 22 to the same point, except coming from this direction, Straight Creek Roadwill be just after milepost 69. Continue as above.
LITTLE THREE CREEKS LAKE
Sisters, OR
We didn't have a whole lot of gas and wanted to go somewhere new and close by. This place is up towards Three Creeks (about 15 miles from Sisters). We had the kids so didn't want to do anything complex or too long. This was a great trail for that I would say we did about a 3 mile loop. It seems to be a pretty popular place so there are so many trails that aren't part of the designated trail.
There appears to be a fork in the road up a bit past the picture above and we went off to the left which takes us to Little Three Creeks Lake.
DIRECTIONS:
Turn south from Hwy 20 on Elm Street (Road 16) in
the middle of Sisters. Follow the signs to Three Creeks
Lake. After 15 miles the pavement ends. Continue on
the road to Three Creeks Lake. Turn right at Driftwood
Campground. Trailhead parking is just before the
campground on the right
Length: 3 miles round trip
Elevation High: 6,720
Elevation Low: 6,600
Difficulty: Easy
Setting: Forest
Water Available
Restrooms
STEELHEAD FALLS
Terrebonne, Oregon
LOVE this hike! We go often because its quick and easy! Only one mile in and one mile out. Following a river the whole time all the way to the falls. Its a little out of the way to get there, but worth the drive. Not too many people go here at once which is great. Plenty of parking considering there is never too many people there at one time. I would even use this one to go for a little run. NO FEE.
DIRECTIONS:
From Terrebonne, turn West on Northwest Lower Bridge Way. Proceed a little more than 2 miles, then turn right on Northwest 43rd Street. Take that about 1.8 miles to Chinook Drive. From Chinook Drive, proceed just less than a mile and then turn left onto Badger Road. In a little more than a mile, turn right on Sage Hen Road. After about a half a mile, turn left on Ermine Road. Soon afterward turn left on Quail Road. Take Quail less than half a mile to River Road and turn right. Proceed on River Road downhill to the Steelhead Falls Trailhead.
TUMALO FALLS
Bend, Oregon
Gorgeous place. This can be as long a hike as you want it to be depending on where you start and how far you want to go. Its a popular place so it can be busy, and parking could be tricky.
DIRECTIONS:
The Tumalo Falls area is located about 10 miles west of Bend beneath Broken Top. From Highway 97 in Bend, turn west on Franklin Street. As Franklin runs through town, it parallels a nice park along the Deschutes River. Just after this park - about a mile from 97 - turn right and cross the River on Galveston Street. After passing Century Drive, Galveston turns into Skyliners Road. Follow Skyliners Road for 10 ½ miles, and turn left on FSR 4601, signed for Tumalo Falls, just after crossing Tumalo Creek. This gravel route ends in another 2 1/2 miles at the Tumalo Falls Trailhead. The lower viewpoint is a mere 50 feet from the parking lot, looking up the gorge at the powerful falls. An easy trail zigzags up to the top of the falls for a different perspective.
SMITH ROCK (MISERY RIDGE)
Terrebonne, Oregon
There are a few trails at Smith Rock, one of the seven wonders of Oregon. This is a short and intense 1.5 mile in and out hike, (more like up then down hike). Its hard work to get to the top, but the view is so worth it. Bring a sack lunch or a book and just enjoy where you are when you get to the top. This has become a HIGHLY visited location so if you can get there on a weekday it is in your best interest. If you have to go on a weekend go early. This is also a climbing location so lots of people climb the walls.
$5 parking fee per vehicle. If you visit a lot of Oregon State Parks be sure to stop in at the information desk (yurt) and get a 1 year ($30) or 2 year ($50) parking pass. We bought one and and its more than paid for itself.
DOGS MUST BE LEASHED.
DIRECTIONS:
Head north on Highway 97 and follow it for about 22 miles through Redmond and into Terrebonne. Take a right onto NW Smith Rock Way and follow it for 1.6 miles. Just after a cemetery on your right turn left onto NE 17th Street. Follow it to the end in 0.5 mile and turn right onto NE Lambert Road. In another 0.5 mile turn left onto NE Crocked River Drive and in 0.7 mile Smith Rock State Park will be on your left. (Once into Terrebonne all turns are marked by a brown Oregon State Park sign)
ALDER SPRINGS TRAIL
Sisters, Oregon
We went here once for a short trail (but it can go much longer passed the river). It was dry, but pretty. Their are rattlesnakes so watch your pets during the summer. Once you get to the river its very beautiful and relaxing!
Distance: 1.7 to river 7.2 miles in and out (whole hike)
Sisters, OR
We didn't have a whole lot of gas and wanted to go somewhere new and close by. This place is up towards Three Creeks (about 15 miles from Sisters). We had the kids so didn't want to do anything complex or too long. This was a great trail for that I would say we did about a 3 mile loop. It seems to be a pretty popular place so there are so many trails that aren't part of the designated trail.
There appears to be a fork in the road up a bit past the picture above and we went off to the left which takes us to Little Three Creeks Lake.
 |
| Look for this 1 mile in and follow the sign as needed. |
Turn south from Hwy 20 on Elm Street (Road 16) in
the middle of Sisters. Follow the signs to Three Creeks
Lake. After 15 miles the pavement ends. Continue on
the road to Three Creeks Lake. Turn right at Driftwood
Campground. Trailhead parking is just before the
campground on the right
Length: 3 miles round trip
Elevation High: 6,720
Elevation Low: 6,600
Difficulty: Easy
Setting: Forest
Water Available
Restrooms
STEELHEAD FALLS
Terrebonne, Oregon
LOVE this hike! We go often because its quick and easy! Only one mile in and one mile out. Following a river the whole time all the way to the falls. Its a little out of the way to get there, but worth the drive. Not too many people go here at once which is great. Plenty of parking considering there is never too many people there at one time. I would even use this one to go for a little run. NO FEE.
DIRECTIONS:
From Terrebonne, turn West on Northwest Lower Bridge Way. Proceed a little more than 2 miles, then turn right on Northwest 43rd Street. Take that about 1.8 miles to Chinook Drive. From Chinook Drive, proceed just less than a mile and then turn left onto Badger Road. In a little more than a mile, turn right on Sage Hen Road. After about a half a mile, turn left on Ermine Road. Soon afterward turn left on Quail Road. Take Quail less than half a mile to River Road and turn right. Proceed on River Road downhill to the Steelhead Falls Trailhead.
TUMALO FALLS
Bend, Oregon
Gorgeous place. This can be as long a hike as you want it to be depending on where you start and how far you want to go. Its a popular place so it can be busy, and parking could be tricky.
DIRECTIONS:
The Tumalo Falls area is located about 10 miles west of Bend beneath Broken Top. From Highway 97 in Bend, turn west on Franklin Street. As Franklin runs through town, it parallels a nice park along the Deschutes River. Just after this park - about a mile from 97 - turn right and cross the River on Galveston Street. After passing Century Drive, Galveston turns into Skyliners Road. Follow Skyliners Road for 10 ½ miles, and turn left on FSR 4601, signed for Tumalo Falls, just after crossing Tumalo Creek. This gravel route ends in another 2 1/2 miles at the Tumalo Falls Trailhead. The lower viewpoint is a mere 50 feet from the parking lot, looking up the gorge at the powerful falls. An easy trail zigzags up to the top of the falls for a different perspective.
SMITH ROCK (MISERY RIDGE)
Terrebonne, Oregon
There are a few trails at Smith Rock, one of the seven wonders of Oregon. This is a short and intense 1.5 mile in and out hike, (more like up then down hike). Its hard work to get to the top, but the view is so worth it. Bring a sack lunch or a book and just enjoy where you are when you get to the top. This has become a HIGHLY visited location so if you can get there on a weekday it is in your best interest. If you have to go on a weekend go early. This is also a climbing location so lots of people climb the walls.
$5 parking fee per vehicle. If you visit a lot of Oregon State Parks be sure to stop in at the information desk (yurt) and get a 1 year ($30) or 2 year ($50) parking pass. We bought one and and its more than paid for itself.
DOGS MUST BE LEASHED.
DIRECTIONS:
Head north on Highway 97 and follow it for about 22 miles through Redmond and into Terrebonne. Take a right onto NW Smith Rock Way and follow it for 1.6 miles. Just after a cemetery on your right turn left onto NE 17th Street. Follow it to the end in 0.5 mile and turn right onto NE Lambert Road. In another 0.5 mile turn left onto NE Crocked River Drive and in 0.7 mile Smith Rock State Park will be on your left. (Once into Terrebonne all turns are marked by a brown Oregon State Park sign)
ALDER SPRINGS TRAIL
Sisters, Oregon
We went here once for a short trail (but it can go much longer passed the river). It was dry, but pretty. Their are rattlesnakes so watch your pets during the summer. Once you get to the river its very beautiful and relaxing!
Distance: 1.7 to river 7.2 miles in and out (whole hike)
Directions:
From Highway 97:
Just north of Terrebonne, Oregon exit west onto Lower Bridge Road and continue for approximately 12 miles, until it turns to gravel.
Turn left onto Holmes Road, which is paved.
(NOTE: Please watch for the turn off to Holmes Road. It is a common mistake to miss this turn from Lower Bridge Road onto Holmes Road but you will end up on private property with no driving route to the trailhead.)
Stay on Holmes Road for approximately 2 miles.
Turn right onto Forest Service Road 6360.
Continue along this road for five miles of bumpy dirt road travel. Be sure you have brought a high clearance vehicle as this section may be impassable for low clearance vehicles.
Turn right onto Forest Service Road 040. Stay on this road for about 1 mile until you come to the Alder Springs Trailhead parking lot.
From Highway 20:
At milepost 8 between Sisters, Oregon and Bend, Oregon turn north onto Fry Rear Road and head toward Highway 126.
Cross the highway then stay straight to merge onto Holmes Road. Holmes Road makes a sharp right at the "T" intersection, so be sure to stay on Holmes Road and continue onto milepost 7.
At milepost 7 turn Left onto Forest Service Road 6360.
Continue along this road for five miles of bumpy dirt road. Be sure you have brought a high clearance vehicle as this section may be impassable for low clearance vehicles.
Turn right onto Forest Service Road 040 and continue until you reach the Alder Springs Trailhead parking lot.
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