FOOTPATHS

Marsupial Crags Scramble, Smith Rock State Park

By Barbara I. Bond

Photos courtesy of Barbara I. Bond©

Smith Rock’s reputation as a popular rock-climbing destination is justly deserved. There are lots of opportunities for non-climbers to enjoy some challenges within Smith’s spectacular rocky landscape. For something in between a hike and a climb, try a scramble up the Marsupials, which was a traditional rock-climbing hot spot in the early days of Smith Rock climbing. A collection of oddly shaped monoliths, it remains a rock-climbing destination for climbers seeking traditional climbing and solitude.

Scramblers, too, can enjoy the quiet and challenges of the Marsupial Crags. Scrambling is the bridge between trail hiking and technical rock climbing. Although no special gear is necessary for scramblers, balance and agility are required as you travel over rocky ground and occasionally use your hands to ascend steeper sections. Scrambling is a wonderful way to challenge yourself; it also gives you access to areas seemingly unreachable.

The Details:
Location: In Smith Rock State Park, off U.S. 97, nine miles northeast of Redmond, OR.

Round-trip scramble distance: About five miles. Allow the better part of a day; it will take about three to four hours to reach the summit of Peak 4230.

Elevation gain: About 1,919’

Best time to go: April to November

Maps: USGS Gray Butte, which can be
purchased at some outdoor stores or from Nature of the Northwest in Portland,
www.naturenw.org, or the Smith Rock trail map, www.oregonstateparks.org/park_51.php.

Scramble Rating
S2 (on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being easy) T4 — the route is more technical, and requires you to use your hands and have good balance. Risk of exposure is minimal. While not for the faint-of-heart, if you take your time, you’ll succeed.

If You Go:
Restrooms are near the parking area, and a few vault toilets are scattered throughout the park. The day-use fee is $3; tickets may be purchased from a machine in the parking area.

More information:
www.oregonstateparks.org/park_51.php

The Route
Walk through the day-use area to the trail that leads down to the Crooked River. Cross the river on the footbridge and turn right at the trail junction toward Burma Road (follow signs at the junction). You will pass The Monument area, with its vertical rock faces. As you glance up at the vertical cliffs, note the huge raptor nests on some ledges.

Follow the trail and signs to the junction with Burma Road. Hike along Burma Road heading southeast. As the road switchbacks to the north, hike off the road eastward to the base of Koala Rock, the free-standing monolith right in front of you. Scramble up the steep slope on the northwest side of Koala Rock. This slope consists of very loose rock and scree. As you ascend, notice the glint of fixed bolts marking the climbing routes up the vertical face. Follow the slope up and around Koala Rock. Scramble east, then north up a rock-filled chute on the east side of the Wombat.

Listen for the trilling of canyon wrens as you ascend the steep chute. At the top, go around a large rock on its right side and continue northward to Peak 4230, one of the highest points in the park. A rock windscreen is on the summit. From the summit you have a wonderful view of the whole Crooked River Gorge, the Three Sisters, and nearby Cascade peaks.

Descend north off the peak on the trail, then turn off the trail to the northwest and descend the broad west ridge of the peak. This will lead to a trail that will cut across the road. Then, at a four-way trail junction, turn left to descend down Staender Ridge.

Descend the ridge by heading south, then southeast, to cut between Staender Summit and Flattop. Descend the east side of the ridge on a slippery user trail. As you near the bottom of the ridge, the trail will eventually merge back with the main trail by the river. Take the main trail back to the starting point.

Barbara I. Bond is a freelance writer and photographer and is the author of 75 Scrambles in Oregon. Her work has appeared in a wide variety of publications since 1987. Barbara can be reached at www.barbaraibond.com.