VACATIONING

Hiking, Biking, Riding Tour

If you are looking for outdoor activities in incredible country, try some of these day trips. Whether you bring your horse, bike or hiking shoes, you are in for a treat. The Ochoco National Forest provides excellent opportunities to get away from it all. Steeped in history, these trails lead one to wander among graceful old ponderosa pines, old mines, and ancient volcano leavings. The beauty of the surroundings is matched by opportunities to capture glimpses of wildlife. If you like your “country in comfort,” try the driving suggestions to nearby special designations: Cove Palisades State Park for Indian petroglyphs, Smith Rock for rock climber watching, Big Summit Prairie for wild flowers, or selected sites in the Ochoco National Forest.

Nearby Special Destinations

  1. Scissorsville. Ochoco National Forest, Big Summit Ranger District. In 1888, Scissorsville was one of the thriving towns of Crook County after gold was discovered in 1871. In the next several years, more settlers with dreams of gold arrived and this early town had a general merchandise store, saloon, and dance hall.
    • Location: Hwy. 26 east for 15 miles; turn right on Ochoco Ranger Station Road; travel 9 miles; turn left on USFS S#22.
    • What to See: There is a large dispersed campsite along the creek on your right. Park here and walk to the creek to see the remains of the mining operation. The original town site is approximately 3 miles. On the return trip, stop at the ranger station to see old photos of Scissorsville.
  2. Tower Point Lookout. Ochoco National Forest, Big Summit Ranger District. There are approximately 95 forest fires in this area every year, which is located in the Maury Mountains. The tower was built in 1955 by the US Forest Service and houses a 14’x14’ cab and sits on a low (20 ft.) tower. Visitors are welcome while the tower is operational from June to September.
    • Location: Hwy. 360 (Post-Paulina Hwy) east for 33 miles; turn right onto USFS #16. Travel 8 miles to USFS #1750. Turn right and continue west for 2 miles. Take USFS S#1760 to Tower Point Lookout.
    • What to See: This is a terrific place to view the mountains using your binoculars. Wildlife may include antelope, elk, mule deer, wild horses, bald eagles, and the great horned owl.
  3. Wildflowers of Big Summit Prairie. Ochoco National Forest, Big Summit Ranger District. This huge meadow surrounded by ponderosa pine forest is where Native American tribes used to meet to exchange goods and news until white settlers arrived in the 1880s. There is a 10-mile road viewing area open to the public, however much of the surrounding land is private property so please respect private property rights.
    • Location: Hwy. 26 east for 16.1 miles; turn east onto county road #123. Travel 8.5 miles to USFS #42. Turn southeast and continue 9.5 mi. to USFS #4210, the start of the viewing area.
    • What to See: Along this drive, you will see wildflowers, birds, and butterflies. To help you identify local wildflowers, ask for a free copy of the color brochure titled Wildflowers of Big Summit Prairie from Forest service or BLM offices in Prineville. Flower season is May through June and you can get a flower viewing update at www.or.blm.gov/Prineville/ Botany/Wildflower_Update.htm. Butterflies you may see include hairstreak, skipper, blue, copper, checkerspot, fritillary, swallowtail, admiral, and tortoiseshell. Birds may include sandhill crane, sora, Wilson's snipe, northern harrier, and long-billed curlew. In the fall, you may hear elk bugling or see mule deer, coyotes, and Belding's ground squirrels. There is a beaver colony located where Dudley Creek meets USFS #42.
  4. Wolf Mountain Lookout. Ochoco National Forest, Paulina District. The Wolf Mountain Lookout is an active fire lookout tower operated by the United States Forest Service. The lookout was constructed during the late 1940s. The tower is 107' high and it supports a 14'x14' cab. Visitors are welcome to visit during the fire season, June to September.
    • Location: Wolf Mountain Lookout is some 85 miles east of Prineville. Travel to Paulina on Hwy. 380. Follow USFS #58 towards Rager Ranger Station. Turn north on USFS #5810 and continue for 10 miles. Turn east on USFS #5840, travel 2 miles to the lookout.
    • What to See: The Wolf Mountain Lookout is located on the south side of the Black Canyon Wilderness Area. The tower has a commanding view of the countryside.
    • Other: A tree lookout was established at East Wolf Mountain Lookout in the early 1900s and functioned as a fire lookout point through the 1950s. West Wolf Mountain Lookout was also the site of an early lookout tree, but the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed a pole lookout to replace it. The early communications lines that can be observed in the forest connected the fire lookout points to ranger stations, local ranches, and Prineville.
  5. Smith Rock at Terrebonne, Oregon. 541-548-7501. Smith Rock State Park is an internationally known destination for rock climbers. The source of the multi-colored formations is a substance known as welded tuff, which is volcanic ash that erupted under extreme heat and pressure. The volcanic formations were eroded by the Crooked River, which flanks the main volcanic structure, but also eroded the interior of the volcanic vent. There are three miles of rhyolite cliffs in the park. Today, you can hike the area watching the climbers and wildlife, or try your hand at scaling the walls.
    • Location: 18.9 miles, 41 min. From 3rd Street go 0.1 mi.; turn rt. on OR 370 (O'Neil Hwy) and travel for 12.6 mi. Continue on Lone Pine Rd. for 1.3 mi. Turn left on NW Smith Rock Way. The road becomes NE Smith Rock Way. Continue 1.2 mi. Turn right on NE 33rd St., go 0.4 mi.; turn left on NE Wilcox Ave/NE Wilcox St., go 0.5 mi.; turn right on NE Crooked River Dr., go 0.3 mi. Park and pay day use fee at the day use area. Look for the Smith Rock Trail Guide brochure.
    • What to See: Several miles of developed trails access the top of Misery Ridge and parallel the popular rock climbing areas of the Christian Brothers, the Dihedrals, and Morning Glory Wall. Asterisk Pass is a "rock scramble" and use of a rope is recommended. Deer, small mammals, and birds are abundant year-round. However, it is advisable to avoid July and August, as it is often over 100 degrees. Early spring time when the wildflowers are blooming may be the best time for viewing and hiking.
  6. The Cove Palisades State Park. Crooked River National Grassland. The Cove Palisades was once a place where Native Americans traveling along the rivers could rest and visit with each other. The lake is named for the Wasco Indian, Billy Chinook, who guided John C. Fremont through the area in 1843. Round Butte Dam was completed in 1964 to impound the flow of the Crooked, Metolius, and Deschutes rivers.
    • Location: From Madras, head SW on Culver Hwy for 7.2 miles. Turn right onto SW Gem Lane. Continue for 1.8 mi. (Gem becomes Frazier Dr.) Turn right onto Jordan Road (USFS #63). Continue 5.8 mi. to the Cove Palisades State Park. Pick up hiking brochures at the entrance. Noted on the hiking guide are the viewpoints, a self- guided trail, and the short hike to the "water monster" Crooked River Petroglyph.
    • What to See: There are over 10 miles of hiking trails. The Tam-a-lau trailhead is located in campground B and from this trail you can view the Peninsula (a Research Natural Area of one of the last pristine ecosystems of the west), high Cascade Mountain views, and canyon views of the Deschutes and Crooked River canyons. Naturalist-guided kayak excursions around the lake are offered in certain seasons. The annual Eagle Watch is in February and the Lake Billy Chinook Day festival is held in September. For more info, visit www.oregonstateparks.org.

Active Tours

Mileages are measured from the Bowman Museum located on the corner of Main Street and Third Street.

  1. #801 Ponderosa Loop. Ochoco National Forest, Big Summit Ranger District. This trail follows an old logging road through an incredible forest of old growth ponderosa pine. In the spring and summer, the meadows are full of flowers and in the winter there is excellent skiing on ungroomed trails covered in powder.
    • Length: 1.4 mi.
    • Use: Mountain biking, hiking
    • Difficulty: Easy
    • Seasons: Summer, Fall
    • Location: Proceed 22 miles east on US Hwy 26. to Bandit Springs Rest Area.
    • Other: State sno-park permit required Nov. 15 through Mar. 30.
  2. #804 Lookout Mountain Trail. Ochoco National Forest, Big Summit Ranger District. This trail begins at Ochoco Ranger Station and travels up the northeast side of Lookout Mountain. A shelter is located at the top of Lookout Mountain where there are terrific views of the Cascade Range. In the spring, there is an abundance of flowers. Wildlife in this semi-primitive area includes wild horses, elk, deer, and pileated woodpeckers.
    • Length: 8 mi.
    • Use: Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking
    • Difficulty: More difficult
    • Seasons: Summer, Fall
    • Location: Hwy. 26 east for 14 miles. Take right-hand fork onto county road #123. Continue to Ochoco Ranger Station.
    • Other: Bring water. Do not explore the mines or old buildings. Structures are hazardous due to age.
  3. #808 Independent Mine. Ochoco National Forest, Big Summit Ranger District. Follow this loop through mysterious old growth fir and pine thickets to mountain meadows full of flowers.
    • Length: 8 mi.
    • Use: Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking
    • Difficulty: More difficult
    • Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Location: Hwy. 26 east for 15 miles. Turn right onto county road 123. Travel 8 mi. to just past the ranger station, turn right onto USFS #42. Travel 6.5 mi. to trailhead.
    • Other: Trail follows an old road .3 mi, turns left and descends for 4 mi. back to starting point.
  4. #835 Cougar Ochoco National Forest, Prineville Ranger District. This trail is a reconstruction of a historic pack trail used from 1915-1922. First mile of trail is along an old road and through a recent timber sale. The final 4 mi. are on a well preserved, scenic historic route with excellent views.
    • Length: 8.2 mi.
    • Use: Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking
    • Difficulty: More difficult
    • Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Location: Hwy. 26 east for 27 miles, just past Ochoco Divide. Left on Forest Road #650. Park off highway in gravel pit and hike the old road in.
    • Other: Trail ends near Bear Creek. USFS #2735
  5. #802 McGinnis Creek Loop Ochoco National Forest, Big Summit Ranger District. This trail is suitable for family outings, as it follows along abandoned roads through a large old ponderosa pine forest.
    • Length: 4.2 mi.
    • Use: Hiking, mountain biking
    • Difficulty: Most difficult
    • Seasons: Summer, Fall
    • Location: Hwy. 26 east for 22 miles. Park at Bandit Springs Rest Area.
  6. #832 Twin Pillars Ochoco National Forest, Prineville Ranger District. Most of this trail follows Mill Creek through the Mill Creek Wilderness. There are numerous stream crossings with no bridges, as well as thick stream vegetation and pine forest. The view is often dominated by the twin pillars, 200 foot tall volcanic plugs.
    • Length: 8.3 mi.
    • Use: Hiking, horseback riding
    • Difficulty: More difficult
    • Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Location: Hwy. 26 east for 9 miles. Turn north onto Mill Creek Rd (USFS #33). Continue for 9.5 mi. and park at the Wildcat Campground.
    • Other: Trail ends on the north side of wilderness at Bingham Prairie on USFS #27.
  7. #837 Stein's Pillar. Ochoco National Forest, Prineville Ranger District. This trail meanders through flower filled meadows and old growth forest. Panoramic views of Mill Creek Valley and picturesque rocky ledges are common along the way to the final destination of the trail, the rock outcrop called Stein's Pillar.
    • Length: 2.5 mi. one-way
    • Use: Hiking, horseback riding
    • Difficulty: More difficult
    • Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Location: Hwy. 26 east for 9 miles. Turn north onto Mill Creek Rd (USFS #33). Continue for 6.5 mi. Turn right on USFS #3300-500.
  8. #851 Rimrock Springs Trail. Ochoco National Forest, Crooked River National Grassland. This barrier-free trail crosses through a high desert juniper/sage environment to a wildlife viewing platform. At times, antelope can be seen, as well as deer, and coyote. At other times, nesting waterfowl, songbirds, game birds, raptors, aquatic mammals, and bats can be seen. In late May and early June, the bitterroot blooms.
    • Length: 1.5 mi.
    • Use: Hiking
    • Difficulty: Easy
    • Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
    • Location: Hwy. 26 NW for 18 miles. Turn right at the Rimrock Springs Wildlife Management Area.
    • Other: The antelope breed in the fall and the young are born in May and June. The antelope is the fastest animal in the Western Hemisphere and has been clocked at 70 mph.

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