Sisters' wonders

Head of the Metolius
It’s hard to believe that the mighty Metolius River starts from tiny springs in the shadow of Black Butte. Over the next five miles, more springs and tributary creeks build the river into a magnificent rushing torrent. The Head of the Metolius is one of the most serene and beautiful spots in Central Oregon. And it’s very easy to get to. Just drive 10 miles west of Sisters to the entrance to Camp Sherman and follow the signs along Road 14. They’ll point you to an expansive parking area where you can walk down a paved path about 300 yards to an overlook that treats you to a calendar shot of the headwaters and Mount Jefferson.

Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery
While you are in Camp Sherman, head further north to visit Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery. When you cross the bridge over the Metolius River and enter Wizard Falls (off Road 14) you know this is a special place. The clear, aquamarine color of the river water leads into a pristine grassy area and gentle paths winding through the 35-acre site. Various open tanks house the different fish species raised at the hatchery. Rainbow, brook, brown and trophy trout, kokanee and Atlantic salmon are part of the three million fish on display. The hatchery hosts Kids Fishing Day on the second Saturday in June. Wizard Falls is open all year from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. To reach Wizard Falls, take Highway 20 west out of Sisters for 10 miles. At the Camp Sherman road sign, Road 14, turn right and travel 10 miles to the hatchery entrance.

Dee Wright Observatory
Standing atop the windswept McKenzie Pass, Dee Wright Observatory looks like the lonely lair of a robber baron. The observatory was named after a Civilian Conservation Corps foreman who worked on the site. The footpath to the top has been redesigned to allow easier access and the view from the observatory is worth a little huffing and puffing. The observatory offers a sweeping vista of the surrounding Cascades and overlooks the somber yet intriguing lava flows that dominate the pass. Interpretive signs offer a little education about the unusual geology of the area. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses the McKenzie Summit just west of the observatory. To get there, take Highway 242 west from Sisters (when passable).

Suttle Lake
Suttle Lake is one of Sisters’ understated natural wonders. It’s not dramatic or spectacular, but it is one of the most soul-satisfying spots around Sisters. Some days the lake is calm and glassy, offering a lazy afternoon on Cinder Beach looking out on Mt. Washington looming to the southwest. Other days the wind whips the lake into a whitecapped chop and windsurfers bob and weave through the waves. In the fall, it is a riot of color as the leaves turn with the early frost. The Lodge at Suttle Lake is a wonder in its own right and lodging and dining are available for visitors. Take Highway 20 west 16 miles from Sisters; turn left into the resort and follow the signs. Spend a day there or camp for a weekend.

Whychus Falls (formerly Squaw Creek Falls)
The falls on Whychus Creek are a local wonder indeed — but you have to undertake a little adventure getting there. There are actually several falls and cascades in the immediate area, but the official falls are the largest with about 225 feet of descent. The falls skip and plunge on lava rock, making them particularly picturesque. To get there, it’s best to take a four-wheel drive vehicle with good clearance. You’re likely to get some scratches from encroaching brush. Take Elm Street south from Sisters toward Three Creek Lake. Drive about seven miles and turn right (west) on Forest Road 1514. Drive five miles to FR 1514-600 (this is where it gets rough) and follow it two miles to a T. Bear left to the Whychus Falls Trail and an easy hike to the canyon rim.

Camp Polk Preserve
The Deschutes Basin Land Trust acquired 145 acres of rare wetland/wet meadow habitat just north of Sisters and manages the site as a preserve. Camp Polk Meadow is the site of the first settlement in the Sisters country. Camp Polk was established as a military encampment for the suppression of local Indians in 1865 and abandoned as ineffective a year later. It then became the site of the area’s first post office. The Land Trust is working in the area to restore riparian habitat along Whychus Creek in hopes of one day restoring steelhead runs in the creek. Guided tours of the Preserve are given throughout the summer. For more information contact the Deschutes Basin Land Trust at 541-330-0017.