The route is a Rails to Trails project that runs from the state park near I-84 upstream to Macks Canyon. About 24 miles one way. The inspiration for the trip came largely from Retired Jerry's excellent trip reports and his great Field Guide entry, as well as Charley's great trip report from last year. Our group was led by Claudio (aka Yeti), and included David (aka fettster), a nice chap I'd not met before named Mark, and myself.
We left Portland around 10:30 Friday morning, stopped for an excellent lunch in The Dalles, and were on the trail by 2pm. We rode the single track that hugs the river's edge for the first two miles, then cut over to the actual railroad grade.
Here's Mark, David, and Claudio as we make a quick stop for pictures by the rock arch:
Before long we encountered the first of two old railroad cars:
A bit later we stopped at the more dilapidated second car:
April is really the perfect month for this trip as the weather is usually decent, the rafting season isn't yet under way, and the canyon is verdant and lush with spring grasses and other vegetation. Lots of gorgeous wildflowers too. In another month or two this place will be baking hot, crispy, and brown.
By late afternoon we were making camp at Fall Canyon Camp, also known as Operation Desert Snore:
Fall Canyon is just one of the many campsites along the Deschutes that were set up primarily for rafters. We didn't see anyone rafting the river this weekend though.
Afterwards we struck out to explore the eerie, yet strangely beautiful Harris homestead a mile down the pike:
Back in camp, Mark and David watch as a freight train rumbles by on the opposite shore:
Saturday morning we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, then left our camp set up as we headed upstream for more explorations.
Getting our gear together for the day's ride:
The view from camp that morning:
Beyond the Harris homestead were more old buildings to explore:
And then on to the old railroad water tower:
Continuing upstream:
A gorgeous butterfly along the way:
Around mile 20 we came to the end of the official bike trail. The path continues for several miles to Macks Canyon but it gets very rugged. There's six side canyons on that stretch that were once spanned by trestles. The trestles are gone now and the only way through each canyon is on scrambly foot paths. Claudio and Mark forged ahead through the first canyon with their bikes to see how feasible it might be to continue. After some discussion we decided the remaining few miles likely weren't worth the considerable effort, so we opted to end our upriver explorations here and have some lunch:
Mark and Claudio hefting their bikes back through the side canyon:
Back on the rideable stuff:
The skies had threatened to rain on us all day, but only managed to spit a little here or there. Then as we headed back toward camp the weather began to improve quite nicely:
When we got back to the water tower we decided to head up the nearby side canyon to see if we could find the remains of the old Mays homestead that Charley had mentioned in his trip report.
A look back at the water tower from the road up to Mays Canyon:
Along the way, Mark and Claudio spotted some deer, or possibly elk, on a distant hillside:
All we found at Mays Canyon were a few pieces of metal roofing and other bits of debris. Nothing resembling a cabin, or much evidence of the fire either. It's all very lush, green, and overgrown now. The area was simply gorgeous though, so we scrambled up an adjacent hillside in search of some views:
Heading back down:
Back at camp another freighter rolls by:
The evening was quite breezy and chilly. Later on Claudio and Mark hunted up some firewood for a very welcome fire.
David played his harmonica as we sat around the campfire:
With David's harmonica, the roaring campfire, and the rumbling freight trains, the evening took on a sort of folky - hobo - Woody Guthrie kind of atmosphere that was really fun. OK, granted, Woody didn't have spandex shorts or titanium cookware, but it's still fun to think about. As we reflected on the day's adventure we realized we hadn't seen any other people all day. And only a few the day before. Amazing considering how beautiful this area is.
Sunday morning dawned bright and sunny. The nice weather made it all the harder to saddle up and head back to the big city, but return we must.
On the road again, headed north:
The remains of an old trestle caught our attention:
The day was young with plenty of time left to explore, so we headed up the side road called Rattlesnake Grade for some views. Claudio and Mark motored up on their bikes. I didn't have the legs for that long, steep climb, so I hoofed it about halfway up. Got some nice views nonetheless:
Back on the main trail:
Near the end of our journey is a short, wet, paved section of roadbed with a "Caution Wet Floor" cone, the kind you see in the supermarket.
Yeah, I'm not making that up:
Lots more pictures here.
Great group and an awesome trip! Thanks guys, I can't wait to go back!
Gordon
