DRT: Riley Ranch to Tumalo State Park

I've walked a ton on the Deschutes River Trail near the house this winter, perhaps four to five times a week. Ann wanted to join me for a walk on a day that I wanted to change things up so I suggested going out to Riley Ranch and walking along the river there, mostly as a change of scenery for myself.

As the DJ on the radio reminded us, it was the final day of Junuary, with abnormally warm temperatures expected to push into the low 50s before a series of early February snowstorms, more typical weather for this season. Despite the forecast for warmer temperatures, it was brutally chilly at the outset of our walk. The warm temperatures would arrive with a front that was aggressively blowing through. The wind from the parking lot and across the sagebrush flats above the canyon was fierce and bitingly cold, to the point that we walked as fast as possible to descend into the river canyon.

Down in the canyon, even though it was largely shaded, the respite from the wind was a welcome change from up above. Ann and I walked along the river up into Tumalo State Park before reversing course and heading back to the truck. The day became nicer and nicer with each stride forward.

Middle and North Sister

The Deschutes in the Canyon Below

Mount Jefferson

Fringed Skirt of Icicles on a Boulder

An Ice Sheet in the River

Patterns in the Ice

Red Osier Dogwood Thicket, River Behind

Ice Covered Tree

Photographing the Canyon Walls

Lone Ponderosa Atop Canyon Walls

Broken Ponderosa; Future Osprey Nest Site?

Ice in Tumalo Creek at Confluence with the Deschutes

Another Ponderosa Seemingly Growing in Solid Rock

Still Life: Charred Ponderosa Stump and Wolf Lichen

Ice, Icicles, and Snow

Cinnamon Stick: Old Ponderosa Trunk Gleaming in Sun

Natural Spotlight on Glorious Red Osier Dogwood

Ponderosa Bark

Western Juniper Bark

Charred Ponderosa Stump

Twisted Ancient Western Juniper