Recreation Leader

06/14/2025

👀 THIS SUNDAY, June 15th through October 15th, a Central Cascades Wilderness Permit is required for all overnight stays in the Three Sisters, Mt. Washington, & Mt. Jefferson Wilderness areas. For day-use, 19 of 79 of the most popular trailheads also require this special permit that can be bought online at recreation.gov 📃

For more information regarding this permit and to start planning your adventure, visit our website. 

Thank you for:
✅ Staying on trails to prevent the expansion of trail tread 🥾
🏕️ Camping on pre-existing campsites so wildflowers can grow 🪻🌸
🌌 Preserving the night sky for everyone by choosing not to have a fire 🔥

And showing up with a sense of awe, wonder, & respect 🌀

🏔️🌲 Which Wilderness areas are you looking forward to exploring?

06/10/2025

🌲💙 It’s National Forest Week! And today we celebrate moments of “What Makes Us Come Alive.” This year’s official theme. 

📸 2: Mestachee Falls, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
📸 4: Eagle Cap Wilderness, Wallowa–Whitman National Forest
📸 6: Umpqua Hot Springs, Umpqua National Forest
📸 8: Three Sisters Wilderness, Deschutes National Forest
📸 10: Mt. Adams Summit, Gifford Pinchot National Forest
📸 12: Obsidian Trailhead, Willamette National Forest

What makes you feel most alive while in a national forest?

05/30/2025

💥Driving access to Tumalo Falls OPENED last weekend 🙌🏼🥹 Read post for the Upper Tumalo Falls Loop snow report ❄️

🛻 Driving to the falls on the dirt road (Forest Service Road 4603) is clear of snow. Thank you for driving slowly to help preserve the road.

HIKING
🥾 Hiking from the parking lot to the top of Tumalo Falls is clear of snow. 
🦟 Mosquitos are out in FULL force.
🪵Downed logs are present between Tumalo Falls and Double Falls; with few patches of snow. 
❄️Snow increases from Double Falls to “Triple Falls,” hiking and biking are still unfavorable. It’ll be 3+ weeks before the loop trail is clear of snow and ice.
🔁 Loop trail is 6.9 miles (1,223’ elevation gain)
↔️ To Double Falls and back is 2 miles (324’ elevation gain)

Need to Know:
🅿️Parking requires either a NW Forest Pass, Day Use Pass, or an Interagency Pass.
🐶 Dogs are not allowed on the City of Bend Watershed on this loop to help protect drinking water. 
🚵 Bikes can travel from Tumalo Falls uphill only.


✅ Have an updated report? Send us an email, drop a comment on this post, or send us a DM 🙂

Enjoy our content? Visit our website and learn about our services and how you can help support our efforts!

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🏷️🏷️🏷️


05/24/2025

💥Cascade Lakes Highway is OPENED and we checked out the snow and parking conditions 👀 

🅿️ Parking conditions & Snow Melt Predictions of May 22nd, 2025.

Todd Lake: 2 parking spaces available; 3 weeks out

Sparks Lake: 2 parking spaces; 4 weeks out

Green Lakes: 2 parking spaces; 4 weeks out

Devils Lake “pullover” - not safe; if open door, you’ll get slammed around the blind corner to summit south sister. Technically not supposed to park there either.

Devils lake road entrance - 1 space; 5-6 weeks out

Mirrors Lake - 2 spaces; 3.5 weeks out

Quit meadow horse camp - 2 spaces; 3.5 weeks out

Elk lake trailhead - small wall of snow, will probably melt out in a few days, not sure how much up the road you can go, but hiking would be all snow for sure

Elk Lake resort - Opens to public June 6th

6 lakes trail - 50 spaces, though trail is covered in snow

Level up your life and gain RESPECT Through Recreation 🌀 by “Teaching Through Adventure.” Learn more on our website.

⚠️ From June 15 to July 4 expect snow on higher elevation trails such as sisters, climbers trail, Green Lakes and broken top since this was a heavier late snow season.

🥾✅ All trails below Lava Lakes has few patches of snow and is good to go if you must get after it

❄️ Snow conditions on trails
All trails from Todd Lake to Six Lakes have lots of snow and ice on the trails and are not hike-able. Conditions are great for those looking for winter travel.

Ranger secret GOLD beta 🏆: when all the snow melts off Tumalo Mountain, everything is hikeable down Cascade Lakes Highway.

🏷️ Central Cascades Wilderness permits go in effect June 15th-October 15th. Visit Recreation.gov for details.

✅ Have an updated report? Send us an email, drop a comment on this post, or send us a DM 🙂


🏷️🏷️

05/14/2025

💥Breaking News: As of TODAY, May 14th, the road leading to Newberry Volcano’s caldera JUST OPENED! 🙌🏼🥹 

🗻 Newberry Caldera Snow Condition Report (05/14/25) ❄️

❄️ Snow Impact: 
• All hiking trails within the caldera are currently covered in snow.

🚫 No Access: 
• Big Obsidian Flow 
• Chief Paulina Trailhead
• Cinder Hill Trailhead 
• Little Crater Campground 
• Newberry Group Site 
• Paulina Falls 
• Paulina Lake Campground 
• Paulina Lake Hot Springs 
• Paulina Peak

⚠️ Limited Access: 
• East Lake (limited parking, boat launch inaccessible)
• Hot Springs Boating Site (lots of parking, boat launch inaccessible)
• Paulina Lake Boating Site (no parking, boat launch not accessible)

✅ Accessible: 
• Paulina Lake Lodge (open 9am-5pm; restaurant opens May 16th, 11am- 4pm). visit their website for more information.

👀 Full access to all recreational opportunities within the caldera generally happens by mid-June when the snow has melted. Campgrounds within the caldera are tentatively set to open on Friday, June 13th.

Visit our website to learn how to gain RESPECT Through Recreation🌲🌀 and find your next Newberry adventures 🌋

💙 Enjoy our content? Drop us a comment and let us know how we are doing! 
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05/02/2025

Some call this place the Alps of Oregon, others call it one of the 7 wonders. For us and the many that visit, our hearts remain; and we call it home 🏔🌺🐐

RESPECT Through Recreation 💙🌀
Visit our website for more information.

💥There’s something really special about the Wallowas. It’s one of the few places within the state of Oregon where you can truly find solitude. A place of ru...

04/30/2025

💥Breaking News: Boyd Cave and many of the other hidden lava tubes off China Hat Rd will be closed starting tomorrow, May 1st for the the Cabin Butte Vegetation Management Project. The closed area spans 34,600 acres while restoration operations are underway that include
thinning, ladder fuels reduction, mowing and mastication, prescribed burning, and the decommissioning of unauthorized roads.

🚫 Closed Developed and Dispersed Recreation Sites:
Horse Butte Trailhead and butte area
Boyd Cave Picnic Area
Bessie Butte Trailhead and butte area
Cabin Butte
Coyote Butte

🥾Closed Trails:
Trail #61, Swamp Wells – between Horse Butte Trailhead and FSR 1816
Trail #62, Coyote Loop – partial closure, the trail is open between Horse Butte Trailhead and the junction with FSR 1814, the trail is closed north of the trail junction with FSR 1814
Trail #63, Arnold Ice Cave – between Horse Butte Trailhead and FSR 18
Trail #66, Boyd Cave
Trail #68, Bessie Butte

👀 For full details regarding this closure and alternative caves and outdoor recreation areas to explore, visit our blog, “Desert Woods Journal” on our website; link in bio.

What alternative places will you visit during this closure? Let us know in the comments! 💙



01/12/2025

Website got a new fit 👀

www.recreationleader.com

01/10/2025

⚠️ Heads up! It’s that time of the year again where seasonal climbing closures start to take effect at Smith Rock State Park!! As of today, 01/10/25, the Monument Base area is closed to help raptors transition into their nesting phase 🪺 This crag usually reopens around August 1st.

On another note, we have been working hard on the new Recreation Leader 2.0 website!! Take a look 👀 Our services and meetups will be located on the website; we are working on a login/ calendar for signing up, stay tuned for that. Definitely will be hosting climbing meetups again this spring 🙌🧡

�🪨 Smith Rock’s Geological History:��💥 Considered one of the seven wonders of Oregon, this unique geological formation is a result of millions of years of volcanic activity, weathering/erosion, and tectonic movements. The park is situated on the edge of the Crooked River Caldera, which is a massive volcanic depression that was created by a series of eruptions 29.5 million years ago.��

🌋 The volcanic activity in the area was so intense that it deposited layers of ash and lava that formed the rocks we see today. Over time, weathering & erosion from the Crooked River and other natural forces sculpted the rocks into the unique shapes and formations that visitors send on.

🔎 As you explore Smith Rock, you can see evidence of this geological history all around you. The different layers of rock and the unique shapes and textures are a testament to the power of nature and the incredible processes that have shaped our planet over millions of years.

🧐 The park is a reminder that even the most powerful and destructive forces of nature can be transformed into something beautiful and awe-inspiring.

So as you explore Smith Rock and take in its breathtaking scenery, remember the incredible geological processes that shaped it and let it inspire you to appreciate the beauty and wonder all around you 💫

What crags do you plan on visiting while at the park? 🧡

10/31/2024

🧭 The Quest for the Lost Halloween Gold 💀⚱️

Swipe through each photo to follow our spooky Halloween tale... if you dare! ☠️

👻 Happy Halloween, adventurers…

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10/29/2024

🥾 Gold, Larches & Hidden Falls: Discover the Magic of Mesatchee Creek 💫🌲💛

Gold Beta: This trail is best explored on misty days when golden larches light up the forest, and the riverbanks glimmer with hidden “gold.” 🟡

“Amongst the mist and golden larches, a heart-shaped cave lies hidden, its golden secrets whispered by the falls and unveiled only by a kiss of the wild.” 🌲💛🏔️

🌋 Geology
Nestled in the William O. Douglas Wilderness, Mesatchee Creek Falls rests in a landscape forged by ancient volcanic forces. Basaltic rocks and scattered pyrite, or “fool’s gold,” sparkling in the creeks hint at the area’s geological past. This rugged terrain, with its cliffs and rock formations, feels like stepping back in time.

🌲 Natural History
Mesatchee Creek’s ecosystem is diverse and full of life: towering hemlocks, cedars, firs, and blue spruce stand alongside golden larches that light up the fall forest. Wild ginger carpets the ground, mushrooms like turkey tail sprout around fallen logs, and you might spot signs of elk, chipmunks, black bears and cougars. Visit our website for more info.

🪶 Cultural History ⛏️
This region holds traces of old mining claims where prospectors once sought fortune, leaving behind a landscape filled with mystery and glimpses of “gold” in the creek beds.

The Low-Down:
🅿️ Trailhead: Mesatchee Creek Falls Trailhead
〽️ Elevation Gain: 2,395 ft
🚻 Restroom: Yes, at trailhead
🌸 Accessible: June - November
📜 Permit Season: Free self-issued permits for day use; overnight permits available at recreation.gov
🐶 Dogs: Allowed, on leash

📍 Step-by-Step Guide + Tips & Tricks
Visit our website to learn the river crossings, finding the best “gold” spots, locating the heart-shaped cave, essential rain gear, and other Wilderness Ranger beta to make the most of your adventure! 🌲💛

🌀 Embrace
Answer the call of the wild and connect with the rugged beauty of Mesatchee Creek Falls. Let nature guide you with every step. Learn more about our ethos on our website!

💎 What hidden treasures will you discover along Mesatchee Creek? Let us know in the comments! 🙌