It’s hard to beat Smith Rock State Park for dramatic scenery. It was particularly awesome for our hike under a sunny, blue sky. We hiked the newer and longer River and Summit Trail loop, which was a new trail for several in our group. The Crooked River Canyon was beautiful with green grassy slopes below the sheer cliffs and whitewater sections on the Crooked River from the recent rains. After descending to the river we hiked several miles along the River Trail, stopping often to admire the cliff faces, birds, and flowers. The seasonal waterfall seldom seen across the river was flowing full. We hiked past Monkey Face and began the gradual climb up the ridge on the Summit Trail.
We stopped for lunch on the ridge top where we could look down on the river and canyon. We also had a panoramic view of the Cascades from Mt. Bachelor to Mt. Hood. Even the lesser peaks of Belknap Crater, Black Crater, Black Butte, and Ollalie Butte, looked impressive, covered with snow. The remaining climb to the high point on the ridge and the steep descent back to the river offered ever-changing views of the rock cliffs and river. After a warm, sunny day of hiking we developed a craving for ice cream, which we addressed at the Sno Cap in Sisters. Hikers enjoying this dramatic trail were Steve Gram, Mady Kimmich, Rob Kimmich, Lesley Johnson, Gayle Smith, Ann Wulff, guest Bob Maimone, and leader Roz Shirack.