FOOTPATHS

Bend in the Road: Eastern Oregon Boasts Walker, Hiker Friendly Paths

By Eileen Woodward
Photos by Bob Woodward

When I moved to Bend 30 years ago, I expected to find dozens of hiking, walking, and running trails within the city limits. In fact, there were only a few ill-defined trails and footpaths, and these had been informally made by runners and walkers. They existed mostly on large tracts of undeveloped land. As the years passed and mountain biking grew in popularity, Bend’s mountain bike community created an impressive network of trails on just about every piece of undeveloped property.

But all that work went for naught: In the early 1990s, new housing development started in earnest, and most of the popular, home-grown trails disappeared as the land was covered with houses.

Luckily for Bend residents, the Bend Metro Park & Recreation District, along with the City of Bend and Deschutes County, adopted an Urban Trail Plan in 1995. This plan went a long way toward defining the need for footpaths to be used for exercise and alternative transportation. It called for developers to provide sections of trail to adhere to the Urban Trail Plan as their developments were built. For the most part, this strategy has been effective.

In addition to the developers adding trails, the Bend Metro Park & Recreation District has been building new trails segments as it develops parks around the urban area. Today Bend’s citizens enjoy more than 50 miles of trails within the urban growth boundary. Here’s a look at some of them.

Deschutes River Trail
The Deschutes River Trail follows the river as closely as possible as it winds its way right through the middle of town. The trail is planned to be 19 miles upon completion; for now, there are about 14 miles of the trail in various segments.

My favorite section of the River Trail starts three blocks from my backdoor at the trailhead at the end of NW First Street at First Street Rapids Park, a favorite place for whitewater kayakers to come and practice on the rapid. Much of this section of the trail lies over the top of an underground irrigation canal, making it level for most of its downstream four-mile length.

The trail tread is wide enough so that walkers, runners, mountain bikers, and dogs have enough space to go along without stepping into each others way. This is good because so often on this section of trail you’re on the lookout for wildlife. From the scolding redwing blackbirds, who raise a ruckus in the early spring, to otters flipping and diving merrily in the water, the River Trail is alive with activity. Mink and beaver are also commonly observed along this stretch. Osprey, bald eagle, and those wonderful prehistoric-looking great blue herons fly overhead along with locally migrating geese and ducks.

As the trail heads downstream, you pass through the River’s Edge golf course, minding your head as you cross under the No. 3 hole tee. At about mile three, you enter a beautiful canyon, with the trail high up above the river. The view to the north and west reveals Mount Jefferson, with its permanent snow cap. Mount Hood, Smith Rock, Gray Butte, and Grizzly Butte are off in the distance to the north and east. Benches along the trail have been situated so as to take full advantage of the spectacular views.

Following this section of the River Trail to its conclusion brings you to the trailhead at the Awbrey Glen community and golf course. You can walk this segment of river trail from either trailhead. There are two road crossings along the way, Mt. Washington Drive and Archie Briggs Road.

Gaining popularity is an alternative route from the First Street trailhead to Sawyer Uplands Park. After leaving First Street Rapids Park trailhead, cross over Mt. Washington Drive and under the No. 3 hole tee, then watch for a twisting single-track trail that veers off to the west and climbs up 200 feet to Sawyer Uplands Park. From there, it’s easy to find your way back to the First Street trailhead via city streets.

Farewell Bend Park
The addition of a footbridge two years ago made it possible to link the sections of trail on either side of the river just south of downtown Bend close by the Old Mill District. This marvelous three-mile loop travels through undeveloped land always with the river in sight.

The trail is well-signed and you can set out upstream from Farewell Bend Park on either side of the river. Near the park the river is flat and wide, and thus a popular place for summer floating and boating, but it grows more turbulent as you move upstream. Keep an eye out for fly fishers as there is still some decent fishing along this stretch of the river.

Narrow, not wide enough for a stroller, this trail is closed to mountain bikes. That means foot traffic is not a big issue here but note that those you meet most often will be walkers and runners out with their dogs.

At the footbridge crossing, there is a connecting trail that will take you up to a canal trail on the river’s east bank, where you can continue south for another one or two miles, high above the river. If you’re planning a shuttle walk or run using this trail extension, place one car at the southern trailhead and the other at Farewell Bend Park.

Shevlin Park
Four miles west of Bend, Shevlin Park lies at the bottom of a small canyon thick with old growth Ponderosa pine, Aspens, hemlock, and larch. Tumalo Creek runs down the center of the canyon.

The park contains about 10 miles of single-track trails that are shared by walkers, runners, and mountain bikers. Considered the Shevlin Park classic route, the loop trail is just under five miles long and meanders around both sides of the scenic rim of the canyon with a dip down and across the creek.

On the canyon floor a two-mile trail follows the creek upstream to a large meadow and picnic area.

Just across the street from the main Shevlin Park parking area, another section of trail starts near the Aspen Hall events center. This single-track trail gets less use than the Shevlin Park trails and has a more remote feeling. That said, it’s short, only about a mile long.

Most walkers and hikers will make an out and back journey on the trail, making their turn around at a pond where the water is impounded to get some of its flow shunted off into an irrigation canal. The pond is great for a cold water swim on a hot summer day.

Some people like to continue past the pond along a double-track road for another mile before turning around. The natural turnaround spot is where the dirt road reaches a small cluster of houses.

Shevlin Park is snow-free most winters, so getting out for a wilderness walk is always possible from December to March. If Bend has a big snow year cross-country skiers and snowshoers will make tracks up along the canyon bottom trails.

A lifelong walker and hiker, Eileen Woodward is a former Bend Metro Parks & Recreation District board member. She currently leads hikes for the District’s outdoor recreation program.