Big Summit Prairie Wildflower Hike

Hike Rating:  Easy (driving 10 miles, walking 2 miles)

Guide: Marilynne Keyser

Big Summit Prairie occupies several thousand acres of the middle portion of the Ochoco Mountains. The prairie is privately owned, but most of the perimeter is in Ochoco National Forest and easily accessed by public roads. This will be a drive and hike trip circumnavigating the prairie (ten miles). We will make at least six stops along FS Road 42, driving in a caravan.

We will meet at 8:00 am at the US Forest Service Building in Prineville, 3160 NE Third St. (Hwy 26) in Prineville. We will caravan from Prineville to the Ochoco Ranger Station on FS Road 42, which will be the beginning of our drive and hike around Big Summit Prairie.

Wear sturdy hiking boots, dress in layers, bring water for the day and a sack lunch. Sunscreen, hat and rain gear are advisable. Bring your Guide to Common Native Plants of the Deschutes Canyon Area. Guide books will be available for purchase before the hike ($10/FANs members; or S12/non-members, payable with cash or check).

There are no restroom facilities on the drive. The last stop will be at the ranger station on FS Road 42.

Group size is limited to 8 people (including guides) and pets are not allowed on this hike. If you sign up and later need to cancel, please do so as soon as possible so that people on the wait list can be invited to join this hike. Thank you!

*Temporary Restrictions to Mitigate COVID-19 Risks:

• Hikers need to maintain 6 ft distance between each other.
• Each hiker must bring their own face mask in case social distancing cannot be maintained when encountering other hikers.
• Bring hand sanitizer to use in parking lot after hiker sign-in process.
• Carpooling is limited to partners/family members.
• Outside of partners/family members, no sharing supplies or equipment.
• In the event of crowded trail indications, hike leader may opt for a near alternative location for the hike.
• Hikers should stay home if they are showing symptoms of COVID-19 or if anyone in their household is currently in quarantine or awaiting results of a Covid-19 test. If you do not feel well before the hike, contact the leader as soon as possible to cancel, as we maintain a waitlist.

This event is sponsored by Friends and Neighbors of the Deschutes Canyon Area (FANs), a group founded in 2011 by landowners surrounding the Deschutes Canyon-Steelhead Falls Wilderness Study Area in Central Oregon who came together over their shared love of nearby public lands.  The focus area of FANs includes many special places such as Steelhead Falls, Alder Springs, the Peninsula, Otter Bench and Scout Camp.  Become a member by visiting our website at www.fansofdeschutes.org.  Memberships are just $10 per person per year.