Pro Tip – Do River Hikes in Spring to Save Alpine Hikes for Summer – Deschutes River – 4K

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, starting at Sun Lava Path Trailhead and hiking to Benham Falls and then Dillon Falls along the Shoreline of Deschutes River as an Out and Back hiking approximately 8 miles with only a couple hundred feet elevation gain. I call this the "Southern Half" of Deschutes River Hiking (the "Northern Half" starts at Meadow Day Use Picnic Area and also goes to Dillon falls, approximately 8 miles). The temperature was 29 when I started and raised to over freezing. On my way Back to the Trailhead there was a FREAK HAIL STORM that created some ice on the trail requiring more careful footing on the way Back than the original way Out. This was hiked on 4/22/2022 and there were of course NO Mosquitoes. As far as road conditions, it's highway and then a relatively well maintained road to the parking lot. 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.