View from a rimrock perch, Dry Canyon (bobcat)

Blazingstar mentzelia (Mentzelia laevicaulis), Dry Canyon (bobcat)

Maple Avenue Bridge, Dry Canyon (bobcat)

In a juniper wood, Dry Canyon (bobcat)

The loop hike taking in the northern section of the Dry Canyon trail system (bobcat) Courtesy: Google Maps

• Start point: Dry Canyon North Trailhead
• End Point: Antler Avenue Trailhead
• Hike Type: Loop
• Distance: 4.8 miles
• Elevation gain: 80 feet
• High Point: 2,935 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Seasons: All year
• Family Friendly: Yes
• Backpackable: No
• Crowded: No

Description

Much of central Oregon is defined by volcanic activity, and Dry Canyon in Redmond is no exception. The floor of the canyon, which is only about 25 feet deep, is composed of lava flows from the massive Newberry volcano. The conduit had been a tributary of the Deschutes River. The canyon walls themselves are composed of more recent volcanic material, about 400,000 years old, that was exuded from lava tubes just south of current-day Redmond. When the community of Redmond was formed on the canyon rims, the valley floor continued to be used for agriculture, furtive assignations, and illicit dumping. The City of Redmond has now converted the canyon floor into a park, with a paved trail running along one side augmented by numerous sandy paths. It's about about 4 miles from 19th Street in the north to Quartz Avenue in the south. The description below covers the northern portion of the system.

The information kiosk at the trailhead tells you of the natural history and geology of the canyon as well as wastewater treatment procedures. Hike up the paved trail from the parking area, and then make a right onto the dirt trail that runs down the west side of the canyon. You’ll be walking through typical high desert vegetation of western juniper, bitterbrush, sagebrush, and rabbitbrush. Homes and yards peek over the canyon walls above. A trail up to the right gives you a slightly elevated look over the canyon floor. Cross a gravel maintenance track, and then hike through an open treeless area. Pass a small spring, and join an old vehicle track to pass under the arched Maple Avenue Bridge, which is used for climbing practice and has a bolted route up one of the spans.

Continue along the sandy track, and pass through another open area, formerly a farmer’s field. The canyon wall breaks down here, and a paved trail leads west to West Canyon Rim Park. Enter an expanse of low sagebrush and the disc golf area. Twenty-five foot canyon walls appear again; here, keep an eye out for the colony of yellow-bellied marmots. In the early mornings or evenings, you may also spot coyotes, mule deer, and cottontail rabbits. Come to the fenced off-leash area, divided for big and small dogs. (The small dogs get the nice grass.)

Walk around through the parking area, and find the paved trail leading north. (The trail continues south, but without much of a loop option, for 1 ¾ miles to reach Quartz Avenue.) Get a view north to Gray Butte on the skyline. A wide set of steps leads up to Fir Avenue. Pass the paved trail leading out to West Canyon Rim Park. To your right is a spring shaded by a grove of cottonwoods. Before the Maple Avenue Bridge, you’ll noticed the slope, now colonized by an active clan of ground squirrels, is littered with rusted old car parts and other detritus: In the good ol’ days, this was the illegal dumping ground. There’s a port-a-potty and water fountain at the Maple Avenue Bridge. After you pass under the bridge, take the sandy track that runs along the east side of the canyon: This offers more shade than the paved trail. An old vehicle track leads down from the left, and then, where the cliffs are higher, you’ll notice the mud nests of cliff swallows. Hike through a wood of younger juniper trees, and pass by a tumble of boulders from collapsed canyon walls. Reach the paved trail at the access point for Spruce Avenue, and keep left to circle around the wastewater treatment facility to reach the trailhead.

Fees, Regulations, etc.

• Park open dawn to dusk
• Universal access trail, picnic table, information kiosk, port-a-potty
• Dogs on leash (Off-leash area at the Antler Avenue Trailhead)

Maps

• Maps: Hike Finder
• Dry Canyon Trail System (City of Redmond)

Trip Reports

• Search Trip Reports for Dry Canyon Loop Hike

Related Discussions / Q&A

• Search Trail Q&A for Dry Canyon Loop Hike

Guidebooks that cover this destination

• none

More Links

• City of Redmond Park Locations (City of Redmond)
• Dry Canyon (Redmond Chamber of Commerce)
• Redmond’s Dry Canyon (Outdoor Project)
• Dry Canyon Trail (Rails to Trails Conservancy)
• “Enjoy the paved trail in Redmond’s Dry Canyon (Oregon Live)
• “Escape to Redmond’s Dry Canyon Trail” (Bend Bulletin)
• “Dozens clean up Redmond’s Dry Canyon Trail (KTVZ)

Page Contributors

• bobcat (creator)