The Deschutes River plunges 20 feet to a churning pool in this scenic rimrock canyon.  Golden eagles soar overhead.

Although this is a wilderness study area—and it’s true that you won’t see houses from the trail—the canyon is in fact tucked behind the subdivisions of Central Oregon’s sprawling Crooked River Ranch. As a result the falls has become a popular party site for young daredevils who leap into the pool on warm days. The loop trail that climbs to Cascade views beyond the falls is dusty because it’s popular with equestrians from the area’s ranchettes, and someday may be closed or rerouted.

To find the trailhead . . .

This chapter is an excerpt from 100 Hikes : Central Oregon Cascades