Kayaking and Hiking Adventures

 Hosmer Lake Starlight Float   (Wanderlust Tours) Starting Location:   Wanderlust Tour office in Bend Point of Interest :  Hosmer Lake (this may change), starry nights Bathrooms:  Yes, at office, and at Hosmer Lake Parking : Plenty of parking at office, they shuttle to lake. EV Chargers : No This was our 30th anniversary experience. We had actually won a gift certificate at the Perrydale Auction for Wanderlust tours, and we chose this Starlight Float. We checked in at the office, got in the van, and headed to Hosmer Lake, which we were at last year. It sounds like they go to different lakes, depending on conditions, like fires and smoke. There were 14 of us, including our guide. We met at the office in Bend, piled in the 14 passenger van, and headed up to the lake. We paired up in canoes, and headed out to the North end of the lake, just beyond the riparian section. We put in at dusk, and it was easy to see where we were going.  There was a slight haze due ...

Smith Rock State Park Starting Location:  parking lot - Welcome Center Point of Interest  :  Smith Rock, rock formations, Crooked River Length of hike:   Many Hikes Available  (Trail Map) Misery Ridge Loop 4 miles Level :  Misery Ridge trail is hard, to to steepness, some loose gravel. River trail is easy. Bathrooms :  at main parking lot, and down by river. Parking :  Decent paved lot along the road.  EV Chargers :  No We got here around 9am, hoping to get the hard climb out of the way before it got hot. The parking lot along the road was already full, so we parking the the overflow/RV parking on the South side. Not too long of a walk to the welcome center.  Obviously there were groups who had come early and were finished hiking. There were a lot of people, but it didn't feel too crowded. There are trails for everyone. Our first time at Smith Rock. We decided to do the Misery Ridge loop, which includes the Mesa Verda trail which jo...

  Buena Vista Starting Location:  Boat Ramp at Buena Vista Park Point of Interest :  Willamette River, just downstream from the confluence of Santiam and Luckiamute Rivers Bathrooms:  Yes, brand new vault toilets Parking : just paved, with plenty of parking for trailers EV Chargers : No Rentals: No Something that I don't think I've mentioned yet about kayaking is the interesting places and views you get on the way to the boat ramp. Buena Vista is pretty close to where we live, but I don't go this way unless we are going to kayak. The back roads and variety of crops we pass are always a fun part of the journey, especially if we are able to take different routes coming back. This park and boat ramp was just redone, with newly paved parking lot, improved dock and boat ramp, and bathrooms. The boat ramp is wide enough for 2 vehicles if they are good at backing up. The boat ramp area is easy to get in and out of. There is more space to the North side to pull your kay...

Olalla Reservoir Starting Location:  Boat Ramp at Olalla Lake Point of Interest :  lake with wildlife, trail around lake (partial) Bathrooms:  Yes (porta potty) Parking : gravel lot, good size.  EV Chargers : No Rentals: No We decided to try Olalla Reservoir for the first time on the 4th of July. Needless to say, it was packed. We had a trailer for the kayaks, but were able to find a place to park. We didn't use the boat ramp to put in since it was so crowded. I was worried that our float would be loud due to noise on the beach and swim area.  But then, as we headed for the far side of the lake, we found that it extended much farther, and as we headed around the corner, all of the people noise went away, and we were able to enjoy the beauty and sounds of nature. There was just enough wind to make the temperature perfect, and much of the lake is protected from the wind There are also a lot of little nooks and bays to wander into. Even with the large crown at...