This is the bonus for the Camp Krummholz cache. You will need to
locate that cache first; the coordinates for this one are in its
logbook. All of the cautions for Krummholz apply to this one as
well—IN SPADES! I’ll come back to that later, right now let’s start
with some waypoints:
#1) Camp Krummholz cache: N44° 28.216’ - W121° 20.116’
#2) End of the Road: N44° 28.070’ - W121° 20.249’
#3) Smokey’s Gate: N44° 27.902’ - W121° 20.522’
#4) Break in the Rocks: N44° 27.865’ - W121° 20.300'
Begin your trek at the Camp Krummholz cache where you’ll find
the final coordinates for this cache. The Krummholz cache is
located near "South Camp" (see map). From that cache you
can walk out to the edge of the canyon rim and look down—WAY
DOWN—for your first good look at what lies ahead. Once you have the
needed coordinates, continue your hike along the road for about a
quarter mile until you reach waypoint #2: “The End of the Road”.
From there you’ll be able to peer into the side canyon that will
take you down to the river. Looking down and almost due South from
The End of the Road you may be able to make out the all-important
“Break in the Rocks” (waypoint #4) through which you will pass on
your hike. The coordinates at the top of this cache page are
actually for that break and you’ll want to have that waypoint in
your GPS.
Now continue along near the canyon rim through the sage and bunch
grasses for about another quarter mile until you reach waypoint #3:
Smokey’s Gate. This is a good place to enter the side canyon. Look
for the odd rock formation here that looks a bit like Smokey the
Bear. As you descend into the canyon from Smokey’s Gate you may see
a game trail here or there but basically you’re just making your
way down the steep slope “cross country” as it were. You’ll want to
almost make a beeline for the “Break in the Rocks”. This will take
you to the left of a small ledge as you descend. Your goal is to
simply make it down to the dry creekbed, arriving at some point to
the right of the Break in the Rocks, and then follow your GPS down
the creekbed to the break.
From the break a fairly good trail will lead you the remaining
quarter mile down to the Deschutes river which will seem like an
oasis! From this “oasis” look for the fisherman’s trail that leads
South along the river and will take you the last quarter mile or so
to the cache. Another quarter mile beyond the cache is the mouth of
Squaw Creek. If you have time and energy to spare after locating
the cache, the extra hike is definitely worthwhile.
.
Now, here’s a few important tips for enjoying
this hike:
TAKE PLENTY OF WATER: AT LEAST 2 quarts per person, more if
it’s going to be a hot day. Take plenty of food. Wear sturdy hiking
boots with good ankle support. Go with a buddy: DO NOT hike this
alone! Take adequate clothing including rain gear: your hike will
easily take 4 or 5 hours and you will not be able to see
approaching weather once you’re inside the canyon. Take a First Aid
Kit and mosquito repellent. Avoid energy draining sunburn and WEAR
A HAT! If you wear shorts, be aware that near the river there are
lots of sticker bushes. If it’s going to be a hot day, start very
early and beat the heat: the hike out is not fun in 95° weather.
Take this map and a
compass. Take a walking stick and use it to probe ahead of you
anywhere there might be a rattlesnake. They’re not exactly
common here but I have seen them on occasion so be cautious.
Remember, they will flee if given the opportunity and will only
strike a human in self defense. If you’re careful about where
you place your feet and hands you should not have a problem. You
can learn more about rattlesnakes at this site.
.
Original contents of cache include: Five Geocaching Mix CD’s, ONE
of which is a Travel Bug, Sparklehorse CD, deed to one square foot
of land in Scotland, box of flies that won’t catch trout here,
official Geocaching window decal, WWII era waterproof match
container, pocketknife keyring, X-Files keyring, Bugzeye magnifier.
Be sure to grab a souvenir cache card while you're there.
I’ll be shocked if you catch a trout, but if you do by all means
please post it.
Be safe and enjoy your adventure!