This is a very short hike, actually more of a nature walk, to a couple scenic view spots of Paulina Falls. This is a beautiful 80 foot double falls. One of the view points is looking at the falls from almost straight across. The other view point is at the bottom which is achieved by taking the trail with a few switch backs. The falls is quite nice as the water cascades from the double falls to a jumble of rocks below.
If you wanted a regular hike instead of a nature walk there is a trail called the Paulina Creek Trail which I did not try but the small section of it that I did see looked very nice. It can be sourced from the same parking area that I was in to do the Paulina Peak Trail.
Paulina Creek
“As long as I live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I’ll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm, and the avalanche. I’ll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens, and get as near the heart of the world as I can”. – John Muir
Thanks for joining me at Paulina Falls. I just love waterfalls don’t you? Well, one way to join me on more adventures to waterfalls so that you can be inspired to be ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure then LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW, and SHARE.
Roger Jenkins, Pursuing Balance Through Adventure
Some fun Paulina Falls and Paulina Creek video I shot during me adventure. Video is always the best when we are talking about moving water.
Paulina Peak Trail is a wonderful hike from lakeside at Paulina Lake, through a delightful forest. The first mile is easy, as you hike through thick forest, but progressively gets more difficult as it rises in elevation. The trees get larger and more spread out. By mile three you know it’s difficult when your heels don’t touch with each step and your breathing is accelerated. Pictures, of course, never show the incline. Finally the peak comes into view over the greenery of the forested land. As you rise even higher in altitude the White Pine becomes the predominant vegetation. There are some nice educational pieces regarding this species near the top. The scenic view of the blue lakes, both Paulina Lake and East Lake, along with the magnificent Cascade range in the distance takes you aback, it is a sensational experience.
Once on top, at an Elevation closing in on 8000’, the vista is amazing in every direction. In my title shot can be seen the Three Sisters, a bit of Broken Top, and Mt. Bachelor. Besides the sight of the exquisite Cascades from Mt. Adams all the way to Mt. McLoughlin, Paulina Lake and East Lake, you have a nice view peering down on the Obsidian Flow. Paulina Peak is the highest point of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument and dozens of small cinder cones can be seen rising from the volcanic plain surrounding the Newberry Crater.
This makes the Paulina Peak Trail a must do. The humorous thing is that I could have driven to see this spectacular view. I was disappointed that after hiking a strenuous trail to find at the peak there was a parking lot. So I good naturedly ribbed a guy and his young teen son’s about them driving while I hiked up a tough trail. He replied, “Good for your heart.” Which I thought was nice, but then he added, “You need it, you are not skinny.” Okay… I thought that might have been a step to far, lol. But everyone can certainly use more exercise and that is part of what Pursuing Balance Through Adventure is all about.
Paulina Peak with a view of Paulina LakeObsidian Flow, part of Newberry Crater Volcanic Monument.Chip in search of DaleThere is DaleLife is like a mountain, hard to hike, but once you get to the top, the view is beautiful.
Thank you ever so much for joining me ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ to the top of Paulina Peak. Let’s meet up again and the way to do that is LIKE, FOLLOW, COMMENT, and SHARE.
Bend is Central Oregon’s largest city situated in the foothills of the Eastern Cascade Mountain Range, with the Deschutes River running through it. It is a meca for outdoor activities. In the winter Bend’s semi-arid, high desert location, means a lite and dry powder, compared to the ski resorts further West. Mt. Bachelor draws skiers and snowboards from the West and beyond with it’s great snow, terrain and blue bird sky.
There are activities year round in the Bend area with hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, climbing, paragliding, fishing, golf, camping, and white water rafting.
On this day I decided to stay locally in Bend and checkout a recommended hike right in town along the river, the Deschutes River Trail. Not expecting that much from a urban type of hike I started out at the River Bend Park. A lovely park with expanses of perfectly groomed lawns, flowers, sculptures, nice bathrooms, just a wonderful little park to spend an afternoon at. What makes it special is the Deschutes River and the walking trail along the river. There were people strolling, children playing, dog walkers, sun worshipers, joggers, folks paddling the river in kayaks and Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP). All very, very nice. But this blog is about hiking not parking.
Kayakers on the Deschutes River
SUP Dawg!
I crossed a foot bridge which provided a great view of the river and the park. Afterwards I was making my way along the river on the footpath on the opposite side. At the moment I made it to the sign that announced the Deschutes River Trail it was as if I had stepped into a wilderness even though I was still in a city. What a grand taste of nature for the locals and visitors alike. Because this trail capture that essence, for those that don’t have the time or inclination to go out into the backcountry and experience what it is truly like to walk along an enchanting trail, smell the ponderosa pines, hearing the rushing water, view river and sky. Of course then you are brought back to reality for there are still the condos peaking through the trees on the above cliff, but hey you aren’t actually in the wilderness you are just getting to get a taste of it for crying out loud. But there are places along this well thought out route that do a pretty good job of blocking out some of that humanity with well placed strips of trees and forest so Deschutes River Trail is definitely worth a look.
It was as if I had stepped into a wilderness even though I was still in a city.
Along this portion of the trail there is a nice educational piece regarding types of trees and fauna, Native American lore, the strange affect that animals have on trees and the funny formations they take as a result, a little history and even hydro power.
“A river is water is its loveliest form; rivers have life and sound and movement and infinity of variation, rivers are veins of the earth through which the lifeblood returns to the heart.” -Roderick Haig-BrownWow, is this restful…
Thanks for joining me in this turn along the Bend, as I was ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ along the river flow. What you should do now before you forget is LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW, and SHARE, because there is oh so much more to do to inspire, motivate. Get off the couch, put on your hiking boots and just enjoy what God has given us.
DESCHUTES NATIONAL FOREST- THREE SISTERS WILDERNESS
Activity: Day Hike
Date: August 24, 2019
5+ miles, 1,276’ elevation gain, 3 hour duration, rated Moderate
Tam McArthur Rim is a must do, but then again there are some many stupendous hikes in this area, can you really say that? One thing is for certain if you venture to the Rim the only thing that you will be sorry about is that you did not do this earlier.
I drug my friend and fraternity brother Marcus Walker away from his work, (as owner of Secure Storage with 6 locations including local Bend, and Redmond, btw no finer storage), to guide me to a captivating view of the Cascade Mountain Range as we clambered atop Tam McArthur Rim near Sisters Oregon.
The trailhead is across from Three Creek Lake, which looks like a delightful place to spend the day boating, swimming or fishing. We were entering into the Three Sisters Wilderness area of the Deschutes National Forest and we were able to fill out the necessary permit right at the trailhead. It is a moderate hike through green pines and when you get to the top, an elevation of 7,732’, you have a multitude of mountains to enjoy. Mt. Bachelor, Broken Top, Three Sisters, Mt Washington, Three Fingered Jack, Mt Jefferson, and Mt Hood, on display in all their splendor.
I whole hardly recommend this hike. I need to mention the top is snow free only a few months out of the year, so you will need to plan accordingly, but in late August it was a marvelous hike.
Cascade Mountains
When I saw the mountains my weight lifted and my restless spirit calmed. I knew this was were I belong.
A long distance shot of me standing on Tam MacArthur Rim.
Thanks for joining Marcus and I ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ on Tam McArthur Rim in Sisters, Oregon with an outstanding views of the Cascades. You do not want to miss the next episode of Oregon Hiking so take a moment and LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW, AND SHARE.
Roger Jenkins, Pursuing Balance Through Adventure
It was a little windy, but Marcus, after complaining about me dragging him up the mountain on the opening day of college football goes on to name the Cascade Mts in view from the Rim.
Having lived in Oregon while going to college at Oregon State University I know how special the NW is and in particular how exceptional Oregon is. While living in Oregon I experienced the Northwest as a sailor racing Hobie Cats all over the region and as a skier swishing down many outstanding mountains. I did some hikes, a little 4 wheeling, and just tramped around in the local forests.
Coming back to Oregon and getting out into some wide open spaces I though to myself, “Now these are some proper mountains”. It was so nice to once again be awestruck by this magnificent adventure playground called Oregon. A place to fill the lungs with fresh air, stretch the legs, take flight with imagination, share togetherness and memories, or find solitude in the quiet of wilderness. Fill our souls. Finding balance to our stressful, plugged in, overworked lives through a taste of adventure. It is the journey not necessarily the destination, or said another way what is important is “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure”.
Once again Welcome to Oregon Hiking Pursuing Balance Through Adventure. I am your host Roger Jenkins, let’s find some adventure shall we?
If you appreciate what I am trying to inspire and instill in each of us than please LIKE (so highly prized), COMMENT (otherwise I will not even know that you were here), FOLLOW (how else can we share this experience), and SHARE (let’s get the word out, put down your phone and lace up your hiking boots).
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