Whychus creek canyon

Access to the Preserve is via the Goodrich Road Trailhead. Detailed driving directions, including downloadable PDFs, can be found below. The map below shows the location of Whychus Canyon Preserve along with other Land Trust conserved lands. From Sisters: Turn east from Sisters on Hwy for approximately 5. Turn left onto Goodrich Road. Follow Goodrich Road for 1. Continue straight at the curve onto a gravel road and follow this road 1. Continue north for another 0. Turn right on Fryrear Road and continue 5.

Turn left onto Hwy for 1 mile, then right onto Goodrich Road. Photo: Blake Boyd. From time immemorial, Native Americans, including the Warm Springs, Wasco, and Paiute tribes, lived in this region or visited it to hunt, fish, gather foods, and trade.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs , by virtue of the Treaty of , have legal rights to harvest and manage wildlife and, by implication, the right to habitats suitable to support wildlife populations. Alder Springs used to be one of those local favorites, unknown to the masses, and was accessed by a rough trail that followed an easement through private land. An official trail has now been established here and this has become a very popular short backpack destination on weekends in spring and fall.

The excursion offers a variety of natural wonders: views down to the central Cascades, the multi-layered palisades and rock sculpture of the Deschutes Formation, a cooling creek ford and lush springs, and wildflowers in season. It is recommended that you continue 1. Do this hike in a cooler season as the canyon bottom can be scorching in the summer months, but note that road access is closed for four months December through March to allow the area to recover from human affections.

Most topo maps will show Whychus as Squaw Creek; the latter moniker is now deemed offensive and the new name, which means "water crossing," was approved in Descend from the Alder Springs Trailhead in an open juniper grassland. From this saddle, ascend rock steps to a stony plateau. At this, the high point of the hike, you can get expansive views south - down to the Whychus Canyon and then, on the skyline, Black Butte, Mount Washington, the Three Sisters , and Broken Top. At this point, you will also begin to notice trees and shrubs charred by the September Alder Springs Fire.

The trail drops off the plateau and traverses down a grassy slope blooming with golden weed, rabbitbrush, and flax in late spring. Expect to find: Thurber's needlegrass Achnatherum thurberianum , low sagebrush Artemisia arbuscula , big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata ssp tridentata , stiff milkvetch Astragalus conjunctus var.

Whychus Canyon Preserve Plant List. Hikers must remain on roads or trails within the preserve and removal of flowers, wildlife and historical artifacts is prohibited. Dogs must be kept on leash at all times. Clean up after your pet! Turn right north onto Fryear Road and drive north 5.

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