Steelhead Falls Geo-Exploration

Derek Loeb

Led by Derek Loeb and Nancy Wildman

Friday, March 13

10 AM-3:00 PM

Join Derek Loeb & Nancy Wildman for a geo-exploration of the Steelhead Falls area.  The trip will begin and end at the Steelhead Falls trailhead.  This is a rerun of the trip first offered in March of 2023.  If there is sufficient interest, a second session may be offered.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Steelhead+Falls+Trailhead/@44.4111488,-121.2948942,556m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x54bf278cf5bdd0e7:0x422e4cae55f0c290!8m2!3d44.411145!4d-121.2927002!16s%2Fg%2F11bwptsm9j

We will first walk upstream about a 3/4's of a mile to a beautiful example of a relatively young intra-canyon basalt and its relationship to the older Deschutes Formation.  We will return to the trailhead and descend into the canyon as we walk downstream to Steelhead Falls which is set up by a contact of two intra-canyon basalt flows.  Along the way we will view classic examples of the diversity and complexity of the Deschutes Formation with good exposures of both its volcanic and volcaniclastic rock types.  We will proceed farther downstream before hiking up a drainage to some very impressive examples of hydromagmatic pinnacles which have been exhumed to various extents by the erosion of the canyon by the Deschutes River.  This part of the hike will be on a user trail and is steep with loose footing conditions.  Total distance for the trip will be about 4 miles and 550' of elevation change.  Good footwear and hiking poles are recommended. Although this area is a typically drier and warmer, there may be some spots that are icy or muddy.   Bend area participants may meet at Cascade Village Shopping Center, between PetsMart and Ashley Furniture, to ride share or caravan to the trailhead.  Please be there at 9:10 AM and let me know you will be there.  Please contact Derek Loeb at DerekLoeb@gmail.com  with any questions.