Where's Liz? 2016: Smith Rock State Park

Smith Rock State Park was a great find just a few miles north of Bend, Oregon. It is a day-use only park, with no RV camping facilities, but lots of scenic beauty and trails.

I had an appointment for some RV service in Redmond, so while I was waiting for that to be done, Thistle and I came here to check it out. It was getting pretty hot for a hike, so we limited it to an easy hike along the rim of the canyon.

Rim Rock Trail

Some of the rock formations.

Crooked River winds through the canyon. Three Sisters Mountains can be seen in the distance.

Mount Washington can be seen through what they call "Asterisk Pass." You can see rock climbers gathered just below Asterisk Pass.

Smith Rock with Three Sisters Mts. on the left, and Mt. Washington on the right.

Rock climbing is a very popular sport here.

Turkey vultures perched on the rock formations.

Other raptors can be seen here too. This is a Red-tailed Hawk.

I was hoping to spot a Golden Eagle, but alas, it was not to be.

Rock climbing access trails.

The Rim Trail was accessible and had some beautiful views.

People crossing the river at a horse trail crossing. There is a foot bridge that pedestrians can use if you don't want to get wet.

More trails below.

Some people run the trails.

Do you see the rock climber in the blue shirt?

Rock-climbing etiquette...

As you move along the trail you get a view of a different mountain through Asterisk Pass.

One of the "crooks" in Crooked River.

Sharp spires...

The moon...

That trail leads to the top of Smith Rock.

It was too hot for me to try that.

Thistle was already panting on the easy trail.

The footbridge across Crooked River.

People who made it to the top...

My campground while I was here is on the rim of the canyon, just a few miles from Smith Rock State Park. It's just a short walk from my campsite for these views.

Thistle and I stayed way back from the edge. There are no fences here, and the edge could be unstable.

In the morning I went back to Smith Rock State Park to do another hike. This is an overlook not far from my campground. That's a golf course below.

A hot air balloon was drifting by.

I left Thistle in the AC and came early before it got hot.

There are two trails to the bottom of the canyon. I took the Chute Trail because it's shorter, although steeper.

I can see wildlife below.

Descending the Chute Trail.

View from the footbridge.

I decided to hike the River Trail that follows the river around Smith Rock to the other side. It is a fairly easy trail although longer than the Rim Trail.

It was still cool (60 degrees) when I started out, but I was glad to see some shady spots along the trail.

Rock climbers were out early too. This looks like it could be a beginner's rock.

There are rock climbers on these rocks too.

I don't think I would be doing that with shorts on. Who am I kidding? I wouldn't be doing that at all!

I'm sure the rock formations have been named. I would name this one "Kissing Rock."

You can name this one.

Views from the River Trail...

A Merganser family entertained me for a few minutes.

There were four of them.

They swam awhile, then they all climbed on this rock.

Can you see them?

It was time to preen those feathers!

A bunny hopped across the trail.

And butterflies.

The sun was warming things up quickly.

Asterisk Pass.

You have to be a rock climber to access it.

More views the River Trail...

An Osprey flew overhead and landed in this tree.

Can you find him?

Butterfly camouflage.

Two huge lava boulders in the middle of the river. Of course you know that these rock formations were the result of volcanic activity.

Great Blue Heron

This Rock Wren was hopping around on the volcanic boulder.

And other wildlife appreciated the shady shelter beneath it.

Mallards resting in the shade.

I kept watching for River Otters that are supposed to be here too, but didn't see any.

There were several Canada Geese in the river.

I've come to the end of Smith Rock. It was getting pretty hot and I was thinking of turning back until I discovered that the other side of Smith Rock was still in the shade.