Rob DeHarpport’s outdoor report: You can escape the smoke, but it’s a crapshoot depending on wind

By ROB DeHARPPORT/For The Herald — As we enter the Labor Day weekend that signals the unofficial end of summer, many folks welcome the cooler crisp mornings and sunny warm days.

Bowhunters head into the woods seeking the elusive elk, hoping to hear an elk bugling. People can soon witness the circle of life watching the kokanee spawn at Trapper Creek at Odell Lake or at the Deschutes arm at Wickiup Reservoir near Sheep Bridge Campground. (Yes, there are a few kokanee spawning that have survived the lake being drained.)

Cooler temperatures also make for ideal hiking weather on many trails within our Highway 58 area. Bobby Lake trail is a favorite of mine as is the hike to the South Waldo shelter and South Waldo Meadows. Both trails are relatively flat and only two to three miles making for a six-mile round trip.

For a more strenuous hike, the Twins Trail rewards hikers with beautiful 360-degree views from the summit. The hike from the Waldo Lake Road to the top is 6.7 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of 1,910 feet. It is moderately difficult as the ascent near the high point of 7,362 feet is a scramble through steeper volcanic soil and pumice. On a clear day you can see Mount Jefferson and the Three Sisters and beyond to the north, Waldo Lake to the west, Wickiup, Davis to the east and Mount McLoughlin and Diamond Peak to the south. It’s well worth the hike!

Rifle hunters are anticipating deer season and are beginning to plan their traditional trips to their favorite haunts. Fishing remains good at many high lakes, including Odell, Paulina, Diamond and many more.

Escaping the smoke from various forest fires is a crapshoot depending on whichever way the winds blow. Thankfully, here near Crescent Lake for most days our mornings have been smoke-free as the smoke generally blows into the area in the afternoons from the west.  This morning, Saturday, Sept. 4, unfortunately, is smoky — ugh.

We also have options for lunch and dinner trips “up the hill” on Highway 58 to Manley’s Tavern, Odell Resort, Crescent Lake Resort, Shelter Cove’s Hook & Talon Cafe as well as South Twin Resort, Cultus Lake Resort and Elk Lake Resort.

Paulina and East Lake Resorts also offer lunch and dinner as well as the opportunity to drive to the top of Paulina Peak for another spectacular view of the Cascades without the hike.

So, hope and pray that these terrible fires are soon snuffed out and/or the winds are favorable wherever we venture to enjoy our great outdoors.

We are very fortunate to have so many outdoor opportunities here within easy reach near Highway 58. Get out and enjoy!

Rob DeHarpport, former mayor of Westfir, moved to the Crescent Lake community in 2015 shortly after retiring from a 31-year career in the trucking industry.