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Deschutes River from Macks Canyon Hike

From Oregon Hikers Field Guide

The trail follows along a barbed wire fence at the edge of the railroad grade for the first four miles. (Brian and Wookie)
The trail starts on the north end of the campground and goes up the diagonal path up where a trestle used to be. (Jerry Adams)
Old cattle corral on the route (Jerry Adams)
Electronics equipment at the end of the bicycle accessible portion of the Deschutes River Trail (Jerry Adams)
Map showing the route of the Deschutes River Trail along the east bank from Macks Canyon to Harris Ranch (campsites shown) (bobcat) Courtesy: Caltopo/MapBuilder Topo
Poison-Oak
Rattlesnakes
Ticks

Contents

Hike Description

NOTE: The entire area of this hike was severely burned in the July 2018 Substation Fire. The water tower at the end of the hike was completely destroyed.

This hike accesses the lower Deschutes River from the south and connects with the better known Deschutes River Hike, which begins at the river's confluence with the Columbia River. You'll be hiking from river Mile 24 to Mile 12. Be aware that the first four miles from Macks Canyon is pretty rough compared to the easy tread of the Deschutes River Hike. This is a good winter hike because, being east of the Cascades, it gets much less rain. It can get very cold - see the weather reports for The Dalles, and assume it's a few degrees colder here.

The trail goes along the river on an old railroad grade offering typical eastern Oregon scenery - broad landscapes, cliffs and rock slopes, and sparse juniper and grasses. The river has some spectacular rapids and attracts much wildlife, including steelhead, ducks, herons, geese, otters, and ground squirrels. There are some relics of the railroad and old farm fields. Expect to see a boater going down the river fishing or just running the frequent rapids. Fishing season is May 1st to October 31st. The river rafting season is in the summer. Hikers may want to avoid the area then to avoid the crowds; also, it gets very hot, and the entire hike is shadeless and exposed.

In the campground, interpretive signs explain that this location was the site of a village and has perhaps been occupied since about 5,000 BC. The trail starts at the north end of the Macks Canyon Campground. Though the trailhead is not well marked, there's a sign saying No Motorized Vehicles. You can see a slope on the other side of Macks Canyon where a trestle used to be. The trail goes diagonally up this slope. A number of faint trails head over in that direction.

The first 4.4 miles of trail is pretty rough. There are six places where there used to be trestles. At these spots, you have to climb down into the canyon and then back up the other side. The tread is obscured by sagebrush, grass, and sharp rocks in places. You'll also have to negotiate a barbed wire fence or two. Stay on the rough path on the river side of the railroad grade to avoid most of the obstacles. There is one place where you're better off going on the other side of the barbed wire fence. Several rock cairns show you where to go. Watch out for ticks, especially where you brush against grass or brush. Try to avoid that. Check yourself for ticks afterward. Wearing gaiters can help protect you from ticks and, from late spring, the spikelets of cheatgrass.

At Mile 4.4 from the trailhead, where the "path" climbs out of the last trestle canyon, there is a solar panel, antenna, and some sort of electronic equipment. This point is the farthest that bicycles can get from the other end at the Deschutes State Recreation Area, but you are not likely to see wheeled traffic because it's so far away. Motor vehicles that run this route are restricted to official vehicles only.

The next 7.4 miles makes for an easy hike, since it's motor vehicle accessible. At Mile 7.2 from the trailhead is the Deschutes South Railroad Car. You used to be able to sleep in the car, but it got burned up in 2008. You can still walk down to the river and find a place to camp.

At Mile 10 from Macks Canyon, there is an old cattle corral and a flat area next to the trail that would make a campsite. There are a couple of other similar flat areas nearby and a small stream which runs in the winter. This is about the best place to camp on the entire hike (see BLM Map 8 below for other designated camp spots). There are other places next to the river, but they are sort of brushy and buggy. The only outhouse is at about Mile 4. Camping isn't as good as on the Deschutes River Hike. Another possibility would be to continue 12.5 miles from Macks Canyon to Fall Canyon Camp.

This hike ends at the water tower site at mile 11.8. Return the way you came.


Maps

Fees, Regulations, etc.

  • Share last 7 1/2 miles with bicycles
  • Several unimproved camp spots along the river (see BLM map above)

Trip Reports

Related Discussions / Q&A

Guidebooks that cover this hike

  • Extraordinary Oregon! by Matt Reeder
  • 100 Hikes: Eastern Oregon by William L. Sullivan
  • Rail-Trails: Washington & Oregon by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
  • Best Rail Trails: Pacific Northwest by Natalie Bartley
  • Oregon Campgrounds Hiking Guide by Rhonda & George Ostertag

More Links


Contributors

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Oregon Hikers Field Guide is built as a collaborative effort by its user community. While we make every effort to fact-check, information found here should be considered anecdotal. You should cross-check against other references before planning a hike. Trail routing and conditions are subject to change. Please contact us if you notice errors on this page.

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