The weather for Saturday (and clear passes at Mt. Hood) just called to take full advantage of heat and sun in Central Oregon's high desert. We headed for Cove Palisades State Park on Billy Chinook reservoir, just west of Madras.
We started at the lower trailhead, I really like that section below main road - some huge boulders there. First moment we exited the car, aroma of juniper and sagebrush was unbelievable.
Above main road (and closed campground) the trail ascends to the upper plateau on switchbacks and some wooden stairs
Anyone knows if these are edible?
Lake Billy Chinook looks like a wide, mighty river from there
Just to give an idea about crowds we had to dodge
The sun was mostly hidden in clouds at the beginning, but decided to come out as the day progressed
Looking back to Jeff across the canyon
As you gain the plateau, there's a signed loop junction. We made the loop counter-clockwise to save the biggest views for the later part of the hike. There are a couple of junctions with ATV trail up on the plateau (called "the Peninsula"), but all junctions are well-signed and ATV riders seem to respect hikers' trail
Some ancient junipers up there. There's been thinning work going on for a while (mostly on the ascent part, much less on the plateau), but luckily most trees have been spared
Jefferson from across sagebrush plains. I guess this place gets very hot in summer with little shade, but now it was in the mid-60's, just perfect conditions... There was no shortage of views - we could also see Mt. Hood, Olallie, Three Sisters with Broken Top, Bachelor - just to name the biggest ones.
As the upper trail turns back, it gets to the cliffs above the access bridge we've driven on earlier
The water was still enough for some reflections...
Looking at "The Island" (and distant Mt. Hood) from the tip of "The Peninsula"
Park ranger's residence
We saw 3 deer on the way down, probably a lot more of them saw us - the number of deer tracks was incredible
On the drive home (hidden advertisement of Madras Auto Parts...)
It was a great hike, and great day - seems like a gift of summer weekend in the middle of winter
Tam-A-Lau loop 1/24/15
Re: Tam-A-Lau loop 1/24/15
Awesome TR!!
Thanks for posting this, I really enjoyed reading it.
I am planning on heading down there in the early spring for some camping & hiking, once the snow & rain arrives in the Cascades
Thanks for posting this, I really enjoyed reading it.
I am planning on heading down there in the early spring for some camping & hiking, once the snow & rain arrives in the Cascades
Re: Tam-A-Lau loop 1/24/15
That is a cool little trail, isn't it? I love seeing those wide open areas of Juniper and sage. Makes me want to run as fast as I can in every direction (dodging rattlesnakes?)!
"The top...is not the top" - Mile...Mile & a Half
Instagram @pdxstrider
Instagram @pdxstrider
Re: Tam-A-Lau loop 1/24/15
Thanks!
BTW I always wondered if it's possible to make a longer hike by combining the two hikes near Crooked River (recommended only in rattlesnake-proof boots ) - Otter Bench and Cove Palisades - to do something like this. Google Earth says 14.5 miles starting and ending at Otter Bench, but it may be around 16 with all the trail turns.
BTW I always wondered if it's possible to make a longer hike by combining the two hikes near Crooked River (recommended only in rattlesnake-proof boots ) - Otter Bench and Cove Palisades - to do something like this. Google Earth says 14.5 miles starting and ending at Otter Bench, but it may be around 16 with all the trail turns.
Re: Tam-A-Lau loop 1/24/15
I don't know, but I'd be willing to try it.
On a similar note, I was interested in doing the hike along the Metolius River from Lower Bridge all the way to Lake Billy Chinook.
Brad's track and TR from last spring:
http://gpsfly.org/g/3292
We could do a (long) car shuttle one way hike over a weekend.
On a similar note, I was interested in doing the hike along the Metolius River from Lower Bridge all the way to Lake Billy Chinook.
Brad's track and TR from last spring:
http://gpsfly.org/g/3292
We could do a (long) car shuttle one way hike over a weekend.
"The top...is not the top" - Mile...Mile & a Half
Instagram @pdxstrider
Instagram @pdxstrider
Re: Tam-A-Lau loop 1/24/15
Shuttle hike along Metolius River is about 20.5 miles - looks nice for one-night trip, once the day gets longer (early April or May?).
Thru-hike of the Peninsula - if we finish at Tam-a-Lau lower trailhead it will be around 9 miles one way, and probably less than 1000' eg (with a possible bonus of either of 2 side trails that go down to Crooked River). Let's watch the weather - that terrain is less colorful than here so it's a lot more rewarding on a nice sunny day.
Thru-hike of the Peninsula - if we finish at Tam-a-Lau lower trailhead it will be around 9 miles one way, and probably less than 1000' eg (with a possible bonus of either of 2 side trails that go down to Crooked River). Let's watch the weather - that terrain is less colorful than here so it's a lot more rewarding on a nice sunny day.