Deep in the Ochocos, 2018

As the weather starts to cool off, and the fire danger starts to drop off with it, we can start to venture a bit further afield to places with a few less people. Last weekend that place was deep in the Ochocos, or Deep Creek to be more precise.

The North Fork of the Crooked River heads high in the Ochocos, runs through Big Summit Prairie and then turns south and meets Deep Creek. While Deep Creek was quite a bit larger it yields it’s name to the North Fork.

North Fork Crooked and Deep Creek (right) confluence

After arriving Friday night and a starry night around the campfire we headed downstream on the North Fork. There is no trail, so we just explored our way downstream.

We stopped to look for fish and instead found some extra large crawdads crawling around under the water.

The water was pretty low (it hasn’t rained in this neck of the woods in over three months) and there wasn’t a lot of structure to hold fish, but I knew they were there. I carried my fly rod in my backpack to break out at the opportune time. Then I saw a downed log backing up a big pillow of foam. I tied on a hopper and had a fish on with the first (good) cast. I lost that one but had a larger one on the cast after that. It was a nice redside with beautiful color, which quickly went back in the water.

We continued on and I made a few more casts, but mostly we just explored and enjoyed having the place to ourselves.

Eventually we were cut off by the water hugging a steep cliff. We could have gotten adventurous but it was time to turn back so we made our way back upstream. Along the way we watched a fish our two waiting for food to come along.

Can you see the fish in the picture? Their camouflage keeps them safe from predators.

Hint: It is right in the middle of the shot

About mid afternoon we arrived back at camp and enjoyed the sunny afternoon. The only hubbub were the deer grazing and making occasional noise.

It is amazing how quick a weekend goes by. Before we knew it Sunday was here and we were breaking down camp. We still had a hike and some exploring in our future.

It was a bit early for fall colors, the larch is still bright green but the aspen was showing the first hint of fall.

We eventually made our way to the Line Butte trailhead. There was a bit of wandering around before we convinced ourselves that yes, there was a trail there. Later on the trail was well used and followed an old road bed, but it wasn’t very convincing to start off. We were headed to the top of Lookout Mountain. I’ve been up there before, but had hiked (snowshoed actually) in from a different location so this was all new ground.

It turned out to be a great walk through the woods, and just like the day before we had it all to ourselves. After about 4 miles we emerged above the trees to the windswept mountain. It is a spectacular view from the top of Lookout Mountain. You might expect that with the name and all, I suppose.

Due to a storm we couldn’t quite see the Cascades which were blocked off in a wall of clouds, but the sweeping view of the mountains of pine sufficed.