The Proxy Falls Hike is located west of McKenzie Pass, on Oregon’2 Highway 242.  The drive to Proxy Falls from our dear city of Bend is an event in an of itself.  The rise through ponderosa forests near the city of Sisters, climaxing at  the the volcanic summit of McKenzie Pass and the Dee Wright Observatory is at worst, sublime.  

The Proxy Falls Hike commences at an obvious pullout, off of highway 242( on the left side of the road if you are coming from the city of Sisters).  Their are toilets near the trailhead which is obviously marked.  The Proxy Falls Trail quickly enters into the Three sisters Wilderness Area and in spring, after the snow gates on 242 open, the hike is decorated with Rhododendron blooms like the ones seen below.

Wild Oregon Rhododendrons

Hiking the trail counter clockwise, takes one through a moss covered lava flow.  In more open areas of the lava flow, direct sunlight turns vine maple trees vibrant colors in autumn.

Proxy Falls Trail

After about 3/4 mile the proxy trail enters into an impressive old growth forest, filled with enormous Douglas Fir and ancient cedar trees.  A fork in the trail leads off to Lower Proxy Falls.  Take this fork!  Lower Proxy Falls is the larger and more stunning of the two waterfalls on this short 2 mile hike. Once your begin hearing Proxy’s roar, you are close to the waterfall viewpoint seen below.

Proxy Falls Viewpoint

This spot offers a view of almost all 226 ft of Proxy Falls’ vertical drop as well as some stunning braided flow patterns, but the best lies beyond.  The trail up to this point in the hike is well maintained and suitable for hikers of almost any level.  To experience the best that Proxy Falls has to offer, one must drop down to the right via a rugged, muddy  and unmarked trail.  This unmarked trail descends to the shores of the remarkably small Proxy Creek.  From here, explore to your hearts content.  The shapes,forms and textures of Proxy Falls and its surrounding flora are simply unmatched.  To see a beautiful photograph of Proxy Falls, visit Mike Putnam’s Fine Art site by visiting the following link.  Bend Oregon Landscape Photographer.

After exploring the wonders of Lower Proxy Falls, make the short trek back to the main loop trail and continue counter clockwise.  The next intersection leads to the smaller yet still attractive Upper Proxy Falls, seen below.

Upper Proxy Falls

Upper Proxy falls is not as stunning as Lower Proxy but it has its own elegance and offers a very relaxing poolside picnic spot.  In the heat of summer, the pool at the base of Upper Proxy is also a wonderful wading opportunity.  From here, the trail back to the trail head and parking area is but a pleasant stroll.  In spring time, the trail has some attractive beargrass and trillium specimens, as well as rhododendrons.

In all, this is a stunning day hike that is mostly suitable for all skill levels.  If you are returning to Bend after the hike, we recommend a stop at either the Depot Cafe, or the Three Creeks Brewery , both in the town of Sisters.  If you have any questions or comments about the Proxy Falls Hike, please leave them in the comments section below.

Hike On!

Bend Wild

First Street Rapids trail head sign, which is also the beginning of the in town section of Bend's Deschutes River Trail

For the purposes of this trail review, we chose an out and back route along the River Trail, starting at the First Street Rapids.  From the small parking area, follow the very obvious trail downstream along the placidly flowing Deschutes River.  The trail ambles through a wide shallow canyon with occasional cliffs above for about a mile before the first real hill.

Trail runner running along the Deschutes River Trail in Bend, Oregon.

This first peaceful first mile of the River Trail is a good place to spot wildlife.  There is typically a pair of swans that return here every year along with countless other waterfowl, otters, osprey, and even mule deer.

Swans in the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon

This is probably a good place to give a big shout out to the Bend Oregon Parks and recreation Department who do a great job of maintaining this section of the River Trail.  They re-surface the trail in this area recently and they honestly did a great job.  The trail is firm but forgiving and friendly to runners and bikers alike.   in addition to the excellent trail surface, thay have also installed some simple but attractive plant identification sign such as the one pictured below which is dedicated to a friend of Bend Wild who we’ll refer to as Squishy Wild.   Despite being a golfer and hunter, we still love Squishy!  Don’t worry, he only hunts cougars.

Trail side plant ID sign seen along the downtown section of the Deschutes River Trail in Bend, Oregon

At about the one mile marker, the trail bends to the left and up a disappointingly steep hill towards Mt. Washington Drive. on teh flanks of Awbrey Butte.

Stay to the left at this section of the River Trail to avoid the golf course.

Follow the well marked signs up the steep but short hill and then run down hill while paralleling Mt. Washington Drive.  At the signage cross Mt. Washington Drive and follow the trail through River’s Edge Golf Course.

Steep section of trail before Mt. Washington Drive

About a half mile further and you will reach Sawyer Park on the right side of the Trail where you will see a large attractive grassy lawn  where woodland fairies dance at night.

Grassy field in Sawyer Park along the Deschutes River Trail

Beyond Sawyer Park, the trail climbs mildly to a beautiful section of trail that hangs high above the Deschutes River.

Hill just beyond Sawyer Park along the river trail

At about 1.5 miles from the trail head you will encounter one of Bend, Oregon’s natural wonders, the mystical and magical Candy Cane Formation seen in the photo below

Mystical/Magical Candy Cane formation view from the Deschutes River Trail in Bend, Oregon

Soon after paying homage to the Candy cane Gods, you will cross Archie Briggs Road, seen below.

Trail runner bravely and victoriously crossing Archie Briggs Road along the Deschutes River Trail

Beyond Archie Briggs, it is but a pleasant jaunt through scenic high desert scenery before you arrive at North Cliff Drive pictured below.  Keep going through the gates in the photo below as some of the best views in Bend await you beyond the gates.

North Cliff drive located about 2.5 miles from the First Street rapids and the unofficial start of this section of the Deschutes River Trail

The scene below depicts the section of River from North Cliff Drive to Putnam Road.  Enjoy the scenery as it only gets better.

The river trail high above the Deschutes River Canyon on the flanks of Bend's Awbrey Butte

At the second magical, mystical candy cane formation(about 2.5 miles from the start of this run) peer off to the right(west) for this stellar view of Middle and North Sister high above the Deschutes River.

Middle and North Sisters high above the Deschutes River Canyon as seen from the River Trail

Below is the view of the river itself from near this same location.

The Deschutes River as seen from high above on the Deschutes River Trail on the Northwest side of Awbrey Butte

There are very few locations in Central Oregon that have views of the Deschutes River and and the Three Sisters Mountains from the same location.  It really is pretty awesome and makes the run worthwhile by itself.

On this particular day, we opted for an out and back run stopping at the second of the two magical candy canes.  If you continue o from this point, the running is sublime until the end of the River Trail at Putnam Road.  If you follow Putnam Road until you reach Mt. Washington, you can make an approximately 9.5 mile loop around Awbrey Butte.  While this isn’t the most rugged run in Central Oregon, it’s proximity to Downtown( thereby eliminating a car drive to the trail head, a much loved option for the Bendwild staffers) it’s beautiful views, and it’s serene riparian terrain, make this one of the the trails which has made Bend, Oregon arguably the best Trail running cities in North America.

Happy Trails!

Bend Wild

Shevlin Park entrance sign at the first parking lot directly off of Shevlin Park road

Where should I start with trail reviews for Central Oregon?  Well, from the beginning, that’s where.  Bend, Oregon’s Shevlin Park is one of the crown jewels of the Bend park system.  Less than 5 miles from the core of downtown Bend, this woodland park offers impeccable diversity, and it is all close to the heart of Central Oregon.  From downtown Bend, drive west on Newport Avenue which eventually turns into Shevlin Park road without any rhyme or reason.  About 4 miles west of  the Deschutes River, You’ll drive(or hopefully bike ) down a steep hill, into the Tumalo Creek Basin.  Aspen Hall is on the right(where the weddings are) and the important trail heads are on the left, as are the parking lots.     The above sign is clearly visible from the main parking lot at Shevlin Park.  Following the road into the park quickly leads to the informational bulletin board seen below. There is a map on the park bulletin board, but it’s not easy to read and it is not at all detailed, partly justifying this trail description.

Shevlin Park information bulletin board, this attractive sign serves as the start of the Shevlin Park loop trail.

Of the possible running , biking, or hiking loops in Shevlin Park, I prefer the “Shevlin Park Loop”.  It is about 6 miles long according to the park signs.  According to my P.R. for this loop, I’d say it is more like 5.75, but that is trifling.  The “Tumalo Creek Loop” is shorter and less interesting but at about 2.5 miles long, it is a viable option for walkers or families with children.

I prefer to run this loop clockwise for several reasons.  1. This gets a steep hill out of the way at the beginning of the run.  2. This direction  gets one of my less favorite parts of the loop  out of the way early on. 3. Going clockwise completes the hottest, most sun-exposed part of the run near the beginning of the loop, before I’m hot all lathered up.  Assuming that you heed my advice and go clockwise, you will proceed to the trail which is immediately to the left of the sign above as the trail runner in the following photo is doing.  The trail drops into a beautiful aspen grove which in some autumn seasons is brilliant with golden foliage.

Trail runner passes through an aspen grove at the beginning of the "Shevlin Park Trail Loop" in Central Oregon's Shevlin Park

At the end of the aspen grove, turn left directly towards Tumalo Creek with the aspen grove on your left and the meadow on your right.

Shevlin Park Loop trail with the entry way aspen grove on the left and the meadow on the right( if you are running the loop clockwise)

After about 100 yards, you will see and the following foot bridge  over Tumalo Creek.

Footbridge over Tumalo Creek at the north end of Shevlin Park

The trail passes by a excellent grouping of indian paintbrush which are at their peak in early July in most years.

Wild Indian paintbrush near the beginning of the Shevlin Park Loop trail.

Immediately after the Indian paintbrush, the trail begins to rudely climb up a rather steep but brief hill.  Below is the hill leading up the high dry side of Tumalo Creek.

A deceptively steep trail up to the dry, east side of Tumalo Creek.

At the top of this short, dusty hill, you begin what I consider the least attractive and most sun exposed part of the Shevlin Park loop trail.  It is hot and dry high desert terrain lined with sagebrush , bitterbrush, and desert wildflowers in the spring.  There are few trees for the next 0.75 miles of gradual uphill trail.  The first of many 4×4 Bend park signs directs you to the right.  Head their advice down this sun scorched section of the route.

Shevlin park sign

At about 0.25 miles from the parking lot, you’ll see the following sign which should build your confidence that you are heading in the correct direction.

Shevlin Park sign, continue the 5.75 miles back to the parking lot!

From hear continue on the single track with high desert on your left and ponderosa forest on your right until you hit the following fork in the trail, where the shorter  ”Tumalo Creek Trail” heads down hill to the right and the longer “Shevlin Park loop Trail” continues on the left side of the obvious trail marker.  For those of you trail runners, I recommend you stay to the left.

Fork in the trail. Stay left for the longer "Shevlin park loop" and turn down hill to the right for the shorter "Tumalo Creek Trail"

Staying to the left, you,ll race long the edge of Ponderosa forests until your single track merges with double track and the following sign which directs you to the upper foot bridge 1.5 miles away where you will cross aver Tumalo Creek

Follow this sign to the upper foot bridge at the far end of the Shevlin Park Loop Trail.

Continue southward for another 0.25 miles until you reach another fork in the trail where the double track goes left and the single track goes off to the right.  Follow your instinct and take the single track to the right.  The park sign at this fork indicates that the upper foot bridge is 1.25 miles and the park entrance is 3.4 miles away if you continue on the Shevlin Park Loop trail.  Follow the trail as this is where the awesome part starts.  You’ve traveled about 2.5 miles so far through high desert and you about to hover through a wooded wonderland of mixes evergreens heightened by a chorus of babbling brooks.  Sweet!

At this fork in the trail, follow the park sign to the upper foot bridge and enjoy some some excellent trail running through sylvan surroundings.

Stay to the right at the above sign and you won’t be disappointed!  The views are rockin!  Heading downhill now, you’ll cruise through old growth pondos with Tumalo far below to your right.  The shade of this delightful wood area will carry you the rest of the way.  The next image shows some great trail and great terrain.

Some awesome trail running territory . Who can complain about the combo of Old growth ponderosas and live water on this stretch of the Shevlin Park Loop Trail.

Continue this slightly rugged and viscerally blissful  trail and soak in the scenery as you glide downhill where you come to the following fork in the trail.

Fork in the Shevlin Park Loop Trail. Stay to the right!

At the above fork, stay to the right(as is often the case when running this loop clockwise)  and head down hill until you intersect the riparian shores of a small stream that is a tributary of Tumalo Creek.  At the stream, head left and upstream to the small log foot bridge pictured below.  Despite the diminuitive size of this bridge, I’ve never found the stream to be un-crossable here.

Small log footbridge over a small tributary of Tumalo Creek

This is an easy place to get lost on this loop.  I’ve done it.  Don’t laugh!  I’ll wager that most trail runners have been temporarily lost on the Shevlin Park Loop Trail and this location is one of the culprits.  The key to avoiding embarrassment, or worse yet, becoming Cougar bait, is immediately head up hill and slightly to the left, Do not follow the stream to the right.  You will get lost!  Below is a shot of the trail as it quickly climbs uphill after crossing the small log footbridge.

Trail climbing upward after crossing the small log footbridge over a tributary of Tumalo Creek.

After a short yet challenging climb the trail enters another beautiful section with the gurgling Tumalo Creek down to the right.  Notice the varieties of trees(more later) and the density of vegetation.  It’s a stupendous change of pace for a Central Oregon trail runner during the heat of summer.  On hot summer days, this section is like entering into a cool rain forest.

Yet another scenic section of trail along the Shevlin Park Loop Trail.

In Autumn, this section of trail can be absolutely aflame with fall color. Stream side Red osier dogwood and golden needled larch trees in their seasonal regalia can make for a truly amazing autumn run.  For some beautiful photos of Shevlin Park in Autumn click the following link and and enjoy Shevlin at its seasonal best. Shevlin Park in Autumn.  Proceed downhill along this glorious and rambling stretch of trail until you arrive at a riparian wonderland where you will cross the handsome foot bridge pictured below.

The attractive upper foot bridge at the southern/upstream end of the Shevlin Park Loop Trail

Below is the view upstream from the footbridge.  Excellent!

View of Tumalo Creek Looking upstream from the footbridge at the southern end of the Shevlin Park Loop Trail

This exceptional area of Central Oregon makes the whole trail worthwhile.  I think many Bendites take it for granted.  Not me.  Lush, diverse and beautiful, it’s got something for everyone.  This is a good place to to talk about getting lost again.  I really do know many Bend residents , including me, who’ve been what I consider mildly lost in Shevlin.  Because this is a city park and it is not considered “backcountry”  I think most people keep their “lost in Shevlin Park” stories to themselves.  For those of you who aren’t too proud, please sign in and tell me your best story of being lost in Shevlin Park and preferably indicate where you think you were lost at, unless you are like my loving wife and you continue to get lost at the same place repeatedly and you never remember where it is!   Have any of you gotten lost in your own basement?  I know someone who has!  So, don’t be ashamed, and please share a Bend initiation story of being lost at Shevlin Park.

Okay, from the footbridge, proceed west where you soon hit a trail junction.  Follow the sign below toward the Shevlin Park entrance.

Follow the park sign towards the Shevlin park entrance.

With only 2.2 miles of blissful sylvan single track ahead of you, you should thoroughly enjoy the rest of this trail run.   From this point onward, the trail is not terribly well marked with many small side trail that lead to streams edge and even double track trail leading back to the main road.  I prefer to stay as close to the water as possible.  If you are new to Shevlin Park, it is easy to take a wrong turn at some point.  The worst that can happen is that you will be duped by a small side trail which will take you back to the main paved road or you could be led to a dead-end at water’s edge.  In either case you can backtrack and re-gain your bearings.  From the above sign post, you are about 0.5 miles from the Fremont meadow, a pleasant open grassy area where events are occasionally held and where there is a toilet for those of you with G.I. distress.  Fremont Meadow is presumably named after John C. Fremont who was a famed explorer and cartographer of the American West.  In addition to exploring much of the Oregon Territory and the Oregon Trail, Fremont was also the first American presidential candidate of a major party to run on a platform that was in direct opposition to slavery.  I suppose he does deserve a meadow!

Below is Fremont Meadow.

Fremont Meadow in Bend, Oregon's Shevlin Park

In the Fremont Meadow is the starting point for a one mile long interpretive trail which highlights many interesting factoids about the parks natural history.  It is a great activity for the slower paced traveler where one can learn about the presence of redband trout, Mt Lions, and Engelmann spruce within the park’s boundaries.  The interpretive trail also suggests that Developers have been been clamoring to build high density mixed use developments in Shevlin Park’s basin for nearly 11,000 years now.  Below is a sign indicating the starting point of the shevlin park interpretive trail

Beginning of the Shevlin Park interpretive trail

Remember to return your brochures at the end of your interpretive walk, unless of course you were stricken with gastrointestinal distress and the toilet was out of T.P.  in which case, the brochure is all yours!

The next leg of the Shevlin Park Loop Trail is a pleasant mix of board walks over wetlands and singletrack through old growth ponderosa forests.

Old Growth ponderosa forest split by single track in Shevlin Park. Nice!

Boardwalk over wetlands in Shevlin Park

Beyond the wetlands area, the trail migrates close to the paved car road and eventually you are forced onto the road very briefly at the Hixon Crossing covered bridge pictured below.

The Hixon Crossing covered bridge in Bend, Oregon's Shevlin Park

The bridge is very attractive and a worthy destination in and of itself despite the fact that it could currently use a good coat of paint.   As the Shevlin Hixon mills sold out to Brooks Scanlon in 1950, it seems unlikely that any logging money will be underwriting a new paint job for Bend’s favorite covered bridge anytime soon.

Once you arrive at the Hixon crossing bridge, I recommend you cross it, proceed straight for about 50 yards and then go left at the fork in the trail.  Crossing the bridge at this point avoids the knee pounding pavement that would be encountered by continuing straight and you get to enjoy another of Shevlin Parks many bridges..  After turning left at the fork, proceed downstream  until you see the bridge  then cross the bridge and you will come out in “the larch grove” which is pictured below.

"The larch grove" and foot bridge over Tumalo Creek in Shevlin Park

Beyond the larch grove, stay to the right on single track close to the stream’s edge.  the rest of the trail is a pleasant romp through old growth Ponderosas.

Trail runner in awe of old growth ponderosas in Bend Oregon's Shevlin Park

All too soon the trail enters the picnic meadow pictured below which is adjacent to the Shevlin Park entrance.

Picnic meadow near the entrance to Shevlin Park

The trail cuts through the meadow and into the aspen grove pictured below and quickly empties out at the trail head by the Park’s informational sign where you first started your glorious trail run.

Trail entering the aspen grove near the trail head for the Shevlin Park Loop Trail

You will soon see your parking lot and hopefully your car/bike/ skateboard/mode of transportation.

Trail notes:

1.While there are still trees strewn about by the new years storm of 2009, the trails are entirely clear of down trees as of August 2009.

2. During the spring thawing season, trails can be quite muddy, with some puddles that are impassable for those with an aversion to water.  If                                   you are willing to get a little wet, you should be fine.

3.  Even after winter snow storms, Shevlin Park is usually runnable. I would however suggest that you invest in a pair of “Yaktrax”, available at                                  Footzone, and probably at Fleet Feet and REI.  My yaktrax have served me well in Shevlin Park snows.

Finally, here is where you the reader, runner, biker, hiker, competitive picnicer come into the equation.  We want your comments.  To make this site a comprehensive online trail community for Central Oregon we need your comments at the end of this entry.  Please register, and give any trail updates from your most recent Shevlin Park outings.  Are there trees down, are the toilets overflowing, has a nudist colony taken over Fremont meadow Or do you just want to tell me that I’m not funny?  We Bend Wild trail enthusiasts want to know, so if you have any important info, please share in the comments section found below.  It’s the constant and slightly irreverent trail updates that will make this site a great online-trail community for Central Oregon!

Thanks for visiting, return often, and happy trails.

Cheers,

Bend Wild