WHERE: Chimney Rock Wildflower Hike

WHEN: Thursday, May 26, 2022 9:00am - 1:00pm

RATING: Moderate, 4 miles

GUIDE: Marilynne Keyser, FANs Native Plant Coordinator

This four hour hike will focus on native plants, including early summer wildflowers. The well-maintained trail takes us from the banks of the Crooked River to the geological marvel called Chimney Rock on the canyon rim. We will go slowly and stop often to examine the native wildflowers we encounter and enjoy the incredible vistas along the rim. We will be hiking through several native plant communities, including the talus slope and the lithosol on the canyon rim. After eating lunch, we will hike down and explore the riparian zone in the campground. This hike will start at the Chimney Rock trailhead located across the road from the Chimney Rock Campground on the Crooked River below Bowman Dam. Please be at the trailhead ready to start the hike at 9:00 am. No pets please.

Wear sturdy hiking boots, dress in layers, bring water for the day and a sack lunch. Sunscreen, hat and trekking poles are advisable. Bring along your Guide to the Native Plants of the Deschutes Canyon Area. FANs new, expanded edition of the native plant guide will be available in JUNE at your local independent bookstore or at FANs website at fansofdeschutes.org ($15/FANs members/$20/non-members).

This is a free hike, limited to 8 participants and registration is required and available at www.fansofdeschutes.org. If the hike is full, your name will be added to the waiting list. It is not unusual for folks to cancel as the day of the hike approaches. We will contact you if space develops.

Directions: If you are coming from Crooked River Ranch or Terrebonne, take Smith Rock Way to Hwy 370 E to Hwy 126 to Prineville. From Sisters or Redmond, follow Hwy 126 to Prineville. From Hwy 126, turn onto NW 3rd Street, then right onto N. Main Street, which is also Highway 27. Drive 16.4 miles south on Highway 27 to the Chimney Rock Campground. This is an hour drive from Crooked River Ranch. Coming from Bend, go east on Neff Road. It will turn into Alfalfa Market Road and eventually into Willard Road, then Reservoir Road. Turn left on Highway 27 and follow it north to the campground. It should take 45 minutes to drive from Bend.