Go take a hike - along the Metolius River

Most trails above 5,000 feet of elevation are still buried under one of the heavier snowfalls in recent memory, but that doesn't mean there aren't other options if you're anxious to get an early start on the hiking season.

We've all been to the Metolius River, so it's sometimes easy to forget a great outdoor opportunity right at our doorstep. One of the best early-season tune-ups for the hiking season is a very pleasant riverside loop trail just a few miles downstream from Camp Sherman.

The 6.5-mile loop runs along both sides of the river, with crossings at Wizard Falls and Bridge 99. Bridge 99 is sometimes referred to as "Lower Bridge" and should not be confused with Lower Bridge on the Deschutes River west of Terrebonne.

The Metolius loop is perfect for family day hiking or for the runner who is tired of pounding the same pavement day after day. It's smooth, well marked, and - except for some minor landscape undulations - flat. Last week, I completed the circuit in a little under two hours, but you'll probably want to spend more time to take in the sights of what is essentially an outdoor science classroom.

In spite of the late spring, wildflowers already abound along the river. Right now, the most conspicuous flower is the bright yellow arrow-leaf balsamroot. Serviceberry bushes lining the riverbank are also in full bloom with their snowy-white clusters of flowers. Some of the lupine is already blooming, along with Oregon sunshine, buttercups, wild strawberries, Oregon grape, arrow-leaved groundsel and larkspur in colors ranging from deep purple to blue to lavender. Still more flowers are readily visible to the sharp eye and, before summer is gone, dozens of additional wildflower species will make appearances.

Areas along the river are even lower in elevation than Sisters, so the array of flowers should not be surprising. Keep in mind, though, that even in the heat of summer, an early morning hike will always be shaded. Green Ridge, less than a mile to the east, towers as much as 2,000 feet above the river to hide the early morning sun.

When the day does begin to heat up, towering evergreens provide ample shade. Naturally, there are plenty of ponderosa pines; but for those of you who have escaped from the Valley and long to see Douglas fir again, this is your spot. Douglas fir, of course, is Oregon's state tree; although technically, it's not really a fir.

Grand fir is the most common true fir found along the river, but white fir and Pacific silver fir may also be found. Another large, beautiful tree is the incense cedar, distinguished by flat, scaly needles and its stringy, orangey-brown bark.

The Metolius River is a popular fishing stream, and you are likely to see fishermen almost anywhere along the route, especially on the west side, just downstream from the fish hatchery. If you decide to wet a line, though, remember that this area is limited to catch and release fly-fishing only.

Last year, an inmate crew helped with fire control thinning just south of Pioneer Ford Campground on the east side of the river. Nature has rapidly absorbed that work into the landscape, and the results are already pleasing to the eye.

The loop trail is accessible at various locations and can be traveled in either direction. Parking is usually available at the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery or at Bridge 99, but there are other access points as well. The trail is easy to follow. Be advised, however, that there are substantial, but well-marked diversions around private land on both sides of the river upstream of Pioneer Ford. There are no fees for day-use of trails along the Metolius River.