News

Contributed by hike leader Ann Padgett

Six hikers were prepared for wind and rain on the Metolious River hike. We started at Wizard Falls hatchery with a few light sprinkles. But they quickly passed and we enjoyed the 6 mile loop under mostly sunny skies. The Metolious is always beautiful and this was no exception with the fall color.

Contributed by firewood organizer Gary Elnan

Firewood stocking is completed for our upcoming winter season.  We completed splitting rounds, stacking firewood, stocking kindling, and wrapping firewood today at Swampy.  There was a great crew of 6 there today (John, David, Ernie, Ed, Donna, and I).  It was a lot of fun and super efficient.  Jeanni and I gathered kindling at Nordeen and Swede yesterday and covered 3 brush burn piles with lumber wrap at Nordeen.  The giant brush burn pile at Swede got covered today by John and Donna.  Nordeen has 3 and Swampy has 1 punky wood piles covered for burning.

I don't believe we will ever run out of easy firewood rounds at Swampy.  We stocked it using only 2 work days and 9 person days of labor.  We hope to use similar methods next season at the other 3 shelters but they don't have the absurd abundance of easy logs like Swampy.

The team of folks who contributed really shined.

All we need now is snow!

Contributed by hike leader Gary Jones

Gorgeous fall weather and spectacular foliage was enjoyed by a group of eight hikers as they walked around Clear Lake. 

Text contributed by hike leader John Sweat
Photos contributed by Jeanni Capell

Our day started with an Indian Summer day,  beautiful blue sky with a little Fall nip in the air.  As our caravan headed down to the Trailhead and successfully not leaving any car parts while enroute, we came to a wonderful view of the of the Whychus Canyon.  We made it down the canyon trail to the Alder Springs-Whychus Creek crossing; it was an easy ford across to continue on with the hike.  My group of intrepid hikers enjoyed the multiple layers of color in the canyon and rock formations at the confluence of the Deschutes River and Whychus Creek while enjoying a snack.  On the return back we took a short side trip on the Old Bridge Trail to observe some pictographs.
A big thanks to all those who joined me... Fun times!

contributed by hike leader Roz O'Donoghue

The Berley lakes are hidden gems in the Central Oregon Cascades.  Two sparkling off trail lakes were the destination of 8 CONC hikers on a sunny autumn day.  All were enchanted by the vibrant lakeside fall foliage colors, playful dragonflies and diving ducks.   Three Fingered Jack  provided a backdrop hard to surpass.  A hike well worth a return.

Contributed by hike leader Gary Jones

A group of seven hikers enjoyed cool but dry and non-smoky weather for a pleasant hike to Green Lakes.

Contributed by hike leader Roz O'Donoghue

Friday the 13th was a lucky day for 6 CONC hikers. We walked under clear, sunny skies and excellent air quality after days of smoke. The 12 miles hiked featured older growth forest, several sparkling lakes and an ascent to the summit of Red Butte, a cinder cone 1800 ft higher than the trailhead. We returned via the same route, a bit tired but content from a day well spent.

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The Vista Butte Snowshoe Trail is cleared, signed, and ready for snow. With a break from the heat and smoke, CONC volunteers headed out Tuesday in a “Vista Butte or Bust” spirit to finish clearing the abundant blowdown, install trailhead signs, hang reassurance markers and trim for marker visibility. 

The trail departs from kiosk and begins its 700- foot climb to the summit. It is rated “Most Difficult” due to the elevation gain over its 1-mile length. Be aware that it has been implemented as a Class 2, winter-only trail. It is not cleared to ground and should only be used with a minimum of 12-24" of snow. The alternative, less strenuous route is to reach the summit in about 2 ½ miles via the Nordic trail (share the snow - please stay off the ski tracks).

Work on this trail began in January 2016 with an initial scouting; followed by refinement, submission to the Forest Service for approval, and this year, construction. 

Over these years, the following 24 volunteers contributed over 250 hours in scouting, marking, clearing, trimming, brushing, and sign & marker installation on just this trail. Funding for the markers and signs was provided by the Small Projects grant from Deschutes Trails Coalition.

This project completes the implementation of 4 1/2 miles of new and re-routed snowshoe trails proposed by CONC in 2020 and approved by the Forest Service in October 2021.

Contributed by hike leader Roz O'Donoghue

6 CONC members experienced a classic club hike on August 27th.  The weather was pleasantly cool with clouds passing by from time to time.   The hike featured several sparkling lakes, a lunchtime summit on a mountain with views, trailside blueberries, dramatic volcanic formations as well as a visit to a historic wagon road in the lava fields.  The hike finished with 6 contented hikers.