Hike to Steelhead Falls while the water is still high

When April arrived last week, the weather practically demanded that it was time to hike. So, on the year's first 70-degree day, with snow still blanketing the high country, we set our sights on the extremely modest goal of visiting Steelhead Falls on the middle Deschutes River near Crooked River Ranch.

Actually, Steelhead Falls is one of those destinations that is accessible pretty much all year; and, often when the weather is inclement in Sisters, conditions will be much nicer over there. As it turned out, it felt like a summer day down in this part of the Deschutes River Canyon.

The hike to the falls is a short one and was over before we were hardly warmed up. The main attraction is only about a half-mile from the trailhead, so the round trip is only a mile unless you explore a little farther downstream.

The falls themselves are worthy of a much more demanding hike, but an inventory of shorter hikes is always good to have for visiting out-of-town guests whose standard of outdoor adventure may not measure up to yours. To make more of this little outing, simply follow the river downstream for another mile or so.

Below the falls, the Deschutes is reminiscent of the Crooked River habitat where that river flows north around Smith Rock and past Monkey Face. The scenic, rugged terrain is highlighted by gnarled junipers, and nary a pine is to be seen. The canyon also offers geologic insight into the ancient natural history of Central Oregon.

Of particular interest in the canyon walls are both light and dark rock layers of tuff, which forms when volcanic ash congeals into a hard layer. Some of the very soft exposed rock near the trail has accumulated years of chiseled graffiti. What appears to be a much lighter-colored layer of tuff can be seen higher up and farther downstream on the canyon walls, where the river makes a bend.

We headed in that direction until the trail ended in a mammoth jumble of rock that could have been negotiated only with more effort than we were willing put forth. So, we wandered back upstream and stopped for a scenic lunch break below the falls. It was apparent that we weren't the only ones who had that particular idea for an outing, and we began to see other people near the falls - including a few with fishing poles.

We didn't see any fish being caught, but one fisherman claimed to have caught a 24-inch trout the week before. My hiking companion asked where the name of Steelhead Falls came from. I explained that, before the Pelton-Round Butte Dam complex was completed in the early 1960s, this was a site where steelhead could be seen leaping the falls on their journey upstream from the ocean.

If the hoped-for restoration of anadromous fish runs to the Deschutes Basin is successful as planned, steelhead may once again have the opportunity to climb the falls that have continued to bear the steelhead name during their half-century absence.

Steelhead fry have already been planted at numerous sites above and below the falls in anticipation of new salmon and steelhead runs, but the real success or failure of the program will be determined by the recently completed fish tower that will help ocean-bound fish find their way out of the reservoir. Early indicators are promising.

An old fish ladder was built alongside the falls nearly 90 years ago to help the fish on their journey during periods of low water. The ladder appears to still be usable and created around natural features. The project was most likely conceived when increasing irrigation use drew down the river's water level, making fish passage more difficult.

Heavy irrigation use continues today, and if you would like to see the falls at full force before irrigation water is siphoned off, there is just a little over a week before the river's flow will be substantially reduced on April 15.

Although this is a short hike and not particularly difficult, there are some noticeable ups and downs. Depending on how far you choose to travel downstream, some rock scrambling may be required; and there are a few moderately difficult short sections.

This hike departs from Crooked River Ranch; and, despite the maze that comprises the ranch, the trailhead was surprisingly easy to find. Access the ranch from Lower Bridge Road via Holmes Road or from Highway 97. From northbound Highway 97, turn left onto Lower Bridge Road, just north of Terrebonne.

Turn right on 43rd Street after 2.1 miles. Travel 1.8 miles and turn left onto Chinook Drive for 1.1 miles and then left again onto Badger Road for another 1.8 miles. Turn right onto Quail Road, and it's 1.2 miles to a left onto River Road, which ends 0.9 miles later at the Steelhead Falls trailhead.