Most Epic Accessible Area Early in Season – 13.5 Mile River Hike – Metolius River – Central Oregon

My goal of these wilderness trail videos is to 1) show reverence for the beauty of the land, and 2) give YOU actionable trail information that can assist you in planning your own hike here.

This was a day-hike in Central Oregon, Deschutes National Forest, Metolius River National Recreation Area, starting at Canyon Creek Trailhead & Campground on West Metolius River Trail hiking north to Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery, Candle Creek Trailhead, back south to the bridge over to Lower Bridge Campground, south to Pioneer Ford Campground and Allen Springs Campground, back across the bridge at Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery to the West side of the River and back to the Trailhead, this route constitutes a "lollipop" route I like to call it, an Out and Back initial section with a large Loop on the larger upper portion, approximately 13.5 miles roundtrip and only a few hundred feet elevation gain over such a long distance making it mostly a flat hike. The elevation starts around 2800 ft and stays in a range of up to 3000 ft, at such low elevation it allows this hike to be done in the end of Winter. The temperature was below freezing when I arrived and it got warmer into the 40's and 50's the longer I hiked. The sky was beautiful blue skies, a blue bird day. This was hiked on 2/19/2022 and there were of course NO Mosquitoes. As far as road conditions, it's highway to the turn off which is also a paved road, the last under a mile is a bit bumpy you definitely want to go slow but most cars can comfortably make it with safe driving. In my opinion, the road most definitely DOES NOT require 4-Wheel Drive, however do watch for road conditions, particularly snow/ice depending on the time of year.