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A nice stroll down the Deschutes in downtown Bend, Oregon.

Dad and I on #35 in Bend, Oregon

One of my favorite hikes to do while in Bend, Oregon is on the trail along the Deschutes River. I have fond memories of walking this trail as a child. It was here that my grandmother pointed out birds, flowers, and chipmunks.  I believe that some of the earliest hiking in my life was done on this trail.

For this hike today, my Dad would be joining me. This trek would start at the front door of my parent’s house and end downtown at a coffee shop just about two miles to the south. I used walkjogrun.net to map this route out to make certain that the hike would equal at least two miles, my minimum hiking distance in order to make it official. Despite the distance, I’m not entirely comfortable calling this a “hike” since the trail is more of a park path with short detours into the neighborhoods.  But it’s nice to be outdoors and hiking with my Dad.

The Deschutes River, a major tributary of the Columbia River, twists and turns its way through central Oregon. It has been called a “peculiar river” because it flows north whereas most US rivers flow south. The river trail follows the shoreline a relatively short distance at 9.1 miles, winding through the heart of Bend. While outside of town, the trail is actually three parallel trails – for hikers, bikers, and equestrians – in town, there is just one wide gravel trail shared by all. We saw mainly runners on the trail on our trek this warm Tuesday morning, but on a weekend, families and outdoor enthusiasts would share the trail.

Thoughts about the hike:

1. I like how everyone greets each other as they pass, even if they’re out of breath and in the “zone” with their workout. It seems that people go out of their way to say hello.

Hike #35 Trip GPS Stats:

• Date of hike: July 21st, 2009
• Location: Deschutes River, Bend, Oregon
• Length: 2.3 miles
• Duration: 1 hour, 8 minutes
• Average speed: ±2.0 mph
• Altitude at start: 3,567 feet
• Altitude min.max: 3,567/3,651 feet

This map was made with the data my GPS captured on the hike.
For a more detailed trip report map, check this out.

Photos:

The trail was well marked and well groomed.

A runner along the trail, the Deschutes on the left.

A very lush area with much to see. Two beautiful geese floated by on the river soon after this shot was taken.

Dad along the mighty Deschutes. He was raised in Bend before going off to college. After a dozen or so moves and two states later, Mom and Dad recently moved back to Bend just a few miles from where he grew up.

A gosling and its parents in Bend.

A fisherman along the wider section of the Deschutes, the Cascade Mountains in the distance.

One of the many beautiful little homes that can be found in downtown Bend just off of the river trail.