Camp Sherman & the Metolius River

For 6 nights, my sister, her husband and I camped at Smiling River Campground on the Metolius River. Every day was a hiking day – some solo, some with company, and every one captured that Metolius Magic. Weather was challenging – days 2-4 with cold wet weather and wind.

On the early morning drive over Santiam Pass, the sky let me know what to expect.

We walked the Metolius River from headwaters to the end of the trail downriver; we hiked up Black Butte and Green Ridge; and we hiked from Metolius River to Suttle Lake along Lake Creek. No surprises, right? Metolius River is one of the premier fly-fishing rivers in OR … they come every day with wadders and other expensive gear, but they all follow the rules (usually).

With Camp Sherman CG officially opening 5-22 for reservations, the campground was very quiet and from there, … more magic! The first morning, a raggedy coyote was in the meadow. I don’t know what was in that bush, but there were more than 10 deer. Then, later in the day, a maintenance guy with a broom and dustpan, picked up the deer poo.

These two deer showed up in the meadow across the river, and then calmly walked across the Allingham Bridge. – I had never seen deer so calmly use a road bridge.

Wildflowers were everywhere – but along the river, the better ones. Lupins at the river were in full bloom – even in the rain.

Geese were busy with families and sometimes hard to tell them apart, and some parents were hungry!

Other than life along the river, Black Butte hiked 3 times in very different weather. First, was cool but clear; second was windy and frozen fog; and third was warm and clear – showing the cascades from Broken Top to St. Helens. The frozen fog stole the show though …

To test your knowledge of the central cascades, which ones can you id?

top – bottom: Jefferson, Washington, 3 Sisters, 3-Finger Jack.

Often, Mt Washington has the more spectacular clouds, but Jack didn’t hold back this week.

On the way home, I stopped at Clearlake on the McKenzie (a separate post). Over the 7 days, the hikes were challenging and often engaging. The Metolius is unique and walking downriver from headwaters to the ever broadening and growing river makes it even more magical. Wildlife was everywhere – at least until the campers all show up! Wildflowers are peaking and even in the freezing rain, every bend of the river or switchback on Black Butte offered more.

Data Geek Cellar

• Shoes: Altra Lone Timp 6 & Altra Lone Peak WP Boots – Currex Insole, T-Form insole pad
• Pack: Gossamer Gear Fast Kumo 36 and REI Flash 18 (for shorter river hikes)
• Upper Layers: Lightweight baselayer, 2 different weight 2nd and 3 different fleece weights depending on temperatures / conditions
• Upper shell: Copperfield windshell worn 2 full days
• Trekking Poles: Gossamer Gear
• Approximate Times: hiking by 07:00 every day
• Carbon ratio: 40.25 hours (5 hours driving: hours outdoors 55.25); YTD = 132.5 hours banked
• Miles hiked YTD: 585.74
• Notes:
  • 7 days (Clearlake and McKenzie River – second post)
  • Cold temps from 29 to 40
  • Rain and cold days 2 and 3
  • For the week, 129 miles and 17,000 ft elevation gain

Day 1 – Green Ridge and Black Butte

After returning to Green Ridge TH, a short drive (paused track recording) to Black Butte Lower TH

Day 2 – Black Butte and Smiling River to Headwaters Metolius

Morning – Black Butte from lower TH; evening, Metolius headwaters from Smiling River CG

Metolius River trail

Day 3 – Downriver from Smiling River to end of trail west side

Weather was terrible – very cold, windy and rained off / on all day. I spent several long pauses hiding under trees to stay dry (Copperfield Windshell was sufficient)

Day 4 – Metolius to Suttle Lake via Lake Creek Trail

Day 5 – Smiling River CG to Black Butte and back

Day 6 – Down River to end both sides (starting at Wizard Falls Hatchery) and back to headwaters (2 trips)

End of trail downriver

Headwaters