Trip #54 part 2
I highly recommend kayaking Spring Creek. This spring fed stream is a slow moving very cold (about 40 degrees year round), and easy to access.
Just off Highway 97 and just past the Logging Museum at Collier State Park is the Spring Creek Day Use Area. Parking is free.
The current barely moves, so you can paddle upstream to the headwaters where the spring fed waters bubble from the ground. Round trip takes a couple hours.
The Deschutes River Paddle Trail to the north also has easy access but moves a little quicker. This is a little challenging if you only have one vehicle. There are no viable shuttle option unless you are booking a tour with equipment.
The trail is about 27 miles but can be done in segments. We floated from LaPine State Park to the Big River Campground (about 9 miles).
I dropped off my wife with our kayak and equipment at the LaPine State Park Boat Launch, drove to Big River, parked my truck, and rode my e-bike back to LP where I secured my bike.
The float down the river was about 2 1/2 hours with paddling.
A few tips. My map app told me the trip was about an 11 mile drive between the put in and put out locations. I noticed that it was only 7.7 miles if you took Foster Road between the Park and Big River. There is a very good reason the was not recommended. Most of Foster Road is a series of pot holes and sand traps. A high clearance vehicle or a goat is recommended. My bike did better than my truck as I was able to ride on the side of the road.
Follow your map for the longer drive with your vehicle. Ride your bike on Foster if you are brave and in decent shape. (the bike ride took about 35 minutes).
More photos and videos to come.
Rob and Shawna 