Discover the High Desert Gems: Bend and Beyond
Perched on the eastern edge of Oregon’s Cascade Range, Bend captivates visitors and inhabitants alike with its bewitching blend of vast high desert landscapes, cool aspen groves, and glittering mountain streams. Perhaps you’ve already acquainted yourself with Mt. Bachelor’s snowy slopes or the city’s bustling ale trail — in which case, it’s high time you stepped out and embarked on an excursion into the splendid expanses of the Oregon high desert.
The Observatory and The Badlands
Kick-start your adventurous trek with a visit to the Oregon Observatory, which boasts the largest collection of telescopes for public use in the United States. Here, under the unimpeded view of a dark sky draped atop the high desert, constellations spill across the night like diamond dust, rendering the stuff of poetry tangible.
After stargazing, you’ll be all set to explore the Oregon Badlands Wilderness, east of Bend. With over 30,000 acres brimming with volcanic landscapes, twisted juniper, and remarkable wildlife, this wilderness truly deserves the adjective “otherworldly.” Pay a visit to the aptly named Flatiron Rock, a towering fortress of rugged lava and home to a quaintly elusive population of pygmy short-horned lizards. For those in the know, the journey to this hike often starts at the Badlands Rock Trailhead, off Highway 20.
The Prineville Reservoir
Next on your high desert expedition lies the tranquil oasis that is the Prineville Reservoir. Traced by verdant junipers in stark contrast to its desert surroundings, the reservoir is an angler’s paradise, brimming with bass and trout. Clustered under the moniker of ‘Oregon’s Bass Capital’, it’s a spot where locals sneak away for priceless solitude on lazy summer weekends.
Yet the reservoir is far from being just a magnet for anglers. It’s also a literal reserve of prehistoric treasures, housing an abundant variety of petroglyphs, handiworks of the region’s ancient inhabitants. You’ll find many of these at the Wildcat Campground, reachable by a “don’t blink or you might miss it” turnoff from Juniper Canyon Road.
The Great High Desert Museum
No journey through Oregon’s high desert would be complete without feasting your senses at the High Desert Museum. An encounter with a rescued owl during their popular Raptors of the Desert Sky Exhibit or a chat about High Desert history with the dedicated volunteers could easily be the highlight of your day. Remember, the museum is more than just exhibits — it’s an interactive and immersive affair unveiling the mystique and realities of high desert life with every corner turned.
The Town of Sisters
Before you wrap up your high desert tour, a pit stop at the town of Sisters is simply non-negotiable. Named after the trio of peaks in the Cascade Range, Sisters proudly arches its nostalgic, Western-themed brow at the more modern aesthetics of downtown Bend. The local folk converge at the Sisters Coffee Company, often tickling their taste buds with the artisanal caramel latte, a favorite on their menu.
The Sisters Folk Festival is literally and figuratively the town’s high note, pulling in an ensemble of well-known and emergent folk artists. Visitors find themselves immersed in every hue of music, flowing from intimate indoor concerts to the town’s open-air Village Green Park.
Savoring the Magic of Bend and Beyond
There’s a saying frequently echoed in the Oregon high desert, “You don’t choose the desert, the desert chooses you.” Scenic vistas sweeping across this spellbinding sagebrush sea, small-town charm gently imbued with rustic grandeur, and towering landscapes echoing history’s whispers combine to ensnare hearts in their high desert enchantment.
Both the well-worn paths and the roads less traveled of Bend and its environs offer wildly different perspectives, each with their own allure. The high desert blue, unique to this part of Oregon, redefines the color itself — it’s an intoxicating blend of the azure sky melting into a sea of juniper and sage. In the end, whether it’s the coyote’s sly night-time scurries in the Badlands or the ghostly whispers of history at the Prineville Reservoir, the landscapes of Bend and beyond engrain enduring memories that beckon wayfarers back.
So, grab your hiking boots, liberally apply sunscreen (remember, it’s a desert out there), and set off to map your own story in the riveting terrains of Oregon’s high desert. The land, aloof in its majestic beauty, extends an invitation to explore — the desert awaits you.