- Joined
- May 5, 2012
- Messages
- 1,725
Ran up to Bend last week to visit the High Desert Museum. Time was short and snow's still packed up on the Cascades, so hiking options were limited. I ended up taking an afternoon walk around Smith Rock State Park, a popular rock climbing destination north of Redmond.
![IMG_0897.jpg IMG_0897.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53225-222aed71289e82b7dfae23a097f1cbd9.jpg)
Daylight was already short when I set out, not really clear on my destination. I ended up looping the Misery Ridge Trail with the Mesa Verde Trail and ultimately returned to the car via the River Trail. All told it was about five miles.
The switchbacks on the way up Misery Ridge had my heart pumping. Before long I'd stripped down the layers to vent heat.
![_MG_7747.jpg _MG_7747.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53198-97ce070f29889110c46382f56d2f611c.jpg)
Views from the top were very nice. Pastoral scenes all around.
![_MG_7761.jpg _MG_7761.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53199-11d19a85c674f5d44224a39083387458.jpg)
Sunset was obscured by a thick overcast clinging to the mountains out west.
![_MG_7773.jpg _MG_7773.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53200-c1c7bfb7694f5104586fef17636a2fce.jpg)
I hadn't planned on hiking long and didn't even bring a headlamp. Thankfully, a nearly full moon meant I was able to make due without.
![_MG_7791.jpg _MG_7791.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53201-36d978eed80e000baf9c2108aa333006.jpg)
The park technically closes at dusk. There were plenty of climbers still on the walls though when I finally left.
![_MG_7795.jpg _MG_7795.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53202-419e3f0af66bb50f9bc6ddc7199e902e.jpg)
The point of the trip was visiting the "Legendary Landscapes" exhibit at the High Desert Museum.
![IMG_0262.jpg IMG_0262.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53214-556c46f83879c59a63e438c3c0c61afb.jpg)
They're showing one of my photos, a long exposure from last spring at Broken Bow Arch in GSENM.
I was unfamiliar with the museum before hearing of the exhibit. Turns out, it's a really cool place. 2017 is the museum's 35th year. They do a lot of wildlife work, with a resident bobcat, river otters and plenty of birds of prey.
![IMG_0890.jpg IMG_0890.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53224-a1780be64702e9ba11aebf689575b280.jpg)
![IMG_0577.jpg IMG_0577.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53216-b8005e7b5790eacb118bc9cf616cc7d6.jpg)
![IMG_0846.jpg IMG_0846.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53221-704c56213a25bd4220224787e0af139f.jpg)
![IMG_0681.jpg IMG_0681.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53218-61d4aa1e6922ce043c1f22b7731b89d0.jpg)
![IMG_0867.jpg IMG_0867.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53223-471c71cbf79f5852a5eeabb32fcfbd09.jpg)
![IMG_0855.jpg IMG_0855.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53222-75669860fdb1858edccf69567f62b846.jpg)
![IMG_0742.jpg IMG_0742.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53219-cc88b3f4c4524177d2110e00c7662aeb.jpg)
And while it's not exactly backcountry, I can't let slip the opportunity to mention Petersen Rock Garden.
![IMG_0198.jpg IMG_0198.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53207-32c89c35e15da63e274593fd32a5d8df.jpg)
Located on a back road between Redmond and Bend, this bizarre little attraction drew my attention on Google Earth. It's the work of a deceased Danish immigrant who in the mid-1900s turned his hobby of collecting rocks and petrified wood into the strangest little park.
![_MG_7692.jpg _MG_7692.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53193-fce3596cfcc2e1f02ca0050761858f55.jpg)
In 2013 the garden was placed on the National Register of Historic Places but it actually fell into disrepair and was shut down last fall. It reopened in just late February, but a lot of work is still to be done.
![IMG_0128.jpg IMG_0128.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53203-215bcd426847274bb387e2a775a01516.jpg)
![IMG_0182.jpg IMG_0182.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53205-c3740d077e473ea2f46cb2aa00531459.jpg)
![IMG_0184.jpg IMG_0184.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53206-09c9aa935b3849182647e68ae2b3473c.jpg)
![IMG_0214.jpg IMG_0214.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53208-9b3fc58c75f32adba46f6669a84402ba.jpg)
![IMG_0242.jpg IMG_0242.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53209-0919910c38363974e43fd1d6be1685d1.jpg)
The entire property is full of peacocks and chicken. The chicken were adorable, following me around as if expecting a treat.
![IMG_0137.jpg IMG_0137.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53204-7f417e4d1e12a37920cd1abf28d50077.jpg)
The peacocks were also very vocal. And pretty.
![IMG_0245.jpg IMG_0245.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53210-543ce115f17cce6ab0252bc37da42271.jpg)
![IMG_0248.jpg IMG_0248.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53211-e813ef455e9c02292d26b266b031c87b.jpg)
![IMG_0253.jpg IMG_0253.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53212-f15a09cc74d81560a388479462ed7d6e.jpg)
![_MG_7715.jpg _MG_7715.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53195-35a73a73f1ce063487c91d85f7a1de8a.jpg)
![_MG_7723.jpg _MG_7723.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53196-1454f371186abf60a1a298bc804cf436.jpg)
![_MG_7730.jpg _MG_7730.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53197-a5d2e2bd006b62f8be2dcb399251a181.jpg)
![_MG_7710.jpg _MG_7710.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53194-cb22f15c62ee1810b2d8f9879e7d9877.jpg)
![IMG_0261.jpg IMG_0261.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53213-29acb75e8d549149b50d856d6afc4299.jpg)
![IMG_0897.jpg IMG_0897.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53225-222aed71289e82b7dfae23a097f1cbd9.jpg)
Daylight was already short when I set out, not really clear on my destination. I ended up looping the Misery Ridge Trail with the Mesa Verde Trail and ultimately returned to the car via the River Trail. All told it was about five miles.
The switchbacks on the way up Misery Ridge had my heart pumping. Before long I'd stripped down the layers to vent heat.
![_MG_7747.jpg _MG_7747.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53198-97ce070f29889110c46382f56d2f611c.jpg)
Views from the top were very nice. Pastoral scenes all around.
![_MG_7761.jpg _MG_7761.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53199-11d19a85c674f5d44224a39083387458.jpg)
Sunset was obscured by a thick overcast clinging to the mountains out west.
![_MG_7773.jpg _MG_7773.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53200-c1c7bfb7694f5104586fef17636a2fce.jpg)
I hadn't planned on hiking long and didn't even bring a headlamp. Thankfully, a nearly full moon meant I was able to make due without.
![_MG_7791.jpg _MG_7791.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53201-36d978eed80e000baf9c2108aa333006.jpg)
The park technically closes at dusk. There were plenty of climbers still on the walls though when I finally left.
![_MG_7795.jpg _MG_7795.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53202-419e3f0af66bb50f9bc6ddc7199e902e.jpg)
The point of the trip was visiting the "Legendary Landscapes" exhibit at the High Desert Museum.
![IMG_0262.jpg IMG_0262.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53214-556c46f83879c59a63e438c3c0c61afb.jpg)
They're showing one of my photos, a long exposure from last spring at Broken Bow Arch in GSENM.
I was unfamiliar with the museum before hearing of the exhibit. Turns out, it's a really cool place. 2017 is the museum's 35th year. They do a lot of wildlife work, with a resident bobcat, river otters and plenty of birds of prey.
![IMG_0890.jpg IMG_0890.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53224-a1780be64702e9ba11aebf689575b280.jpg)
![IMG_0577.jpg IMG_0577.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53216-b8005e7b5790eacb118bc9cf616cc7d6.jpg)
![IMG_0846.jpg IMG_0846.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53221-704c56213a25bd4220224787e0af139f.jpg)
![IMG_0681.jpg IMG_0681.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53218-61d4aa1e6922ce043c1f22b7731b89d0.jpg)
![IMG_0867.jpg IMG_0867.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53223-471c71cbf79f5852a5eeabb32fcfbd09.jpg)
![IMG_0855.jpg IMG_0855.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53222-75669860fdb1858edccf69567f62b846.jpg)
![IMG_0742.jpg IMG_0742.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53219-cc88b3f4c4524177d2110e00c7662aeb.jpg)
And while it's not exactly backcountry, I can't let slip the opportunity to mention Petersen Rock Garden.
![IMG_0198.jpg IMG_0198.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53207-32c89c35e15da63e274593fd32a5d8df.jpg)
Located on a back road between Redmond and Bend, this bizarre little attraction drew my attention on Google Earth. It's the work of a deceased Danish immigrant who in the mid-1900s turned his hobby of collecting rocks and petrified wood into the strangest little park.
![_MG_7692.jpg _MG_7692.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53193-fce3596cfcc2e1f02ca0050761858f55.jpg)
In 2013 the garden was placed on the National Register of Historic Places but it actually fell into disrepair and was shut down last fall. It reopened in just late February, but a lot of work is still to be done.
![IMG_0128.jpg IMG_0128.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53203-215bcd426847274bb387e2a775a01516.jpg)
![IMG_0182.jpg IMG_0182.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53205-c3740d077e473ea2f46cb2aa00531459.jpg)
![IMG_0184.jpg IMG_0184.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53206-09c9aa935b3849182647e68ae2b3473c.jpg)
![IMG_0214.jpg IMG_0214.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53208-9b3fc58c75f32adba46f6669a84402ba.jpg)
![IMG_0242.jpg IMG_0242.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53209-0919910c38363974e43fd1d6be1685d1.jpg)
The entire property is full of peacocks and chicken. The chicken were adorable, following me around as if expecting a treat.
![IMG_0137.jpg IMG_0137.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53204-7f417e4d1e12a37920cd1abf28d50077.jpg)
The peacocks were also very vocal. And pretty.
![IMG_0245.jpg IMG_0245.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53210-543ce115f17cce6ab0252bc37da42271.jpg)
![IMG_0248.jpg IMG_0248.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53211-e813ef455e9c02292d26b266b031c87b.jpg)
![IMG_0253.jpg IMG_0253.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53212-f15a09cc74d81560a388479462ed7d6e.jpg)
![_MG_7715.jpg _MG_7715.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53195-35a73a73f1ce063487c91d85f7a1de8a.jpg)
![_MG_7723.jpg _MG_7723.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53196-1454f371186abf60a1a298bc804cf436.jpg)
![_MG_7730.jpg _MG_7730.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53197-a5d2e2bd006b62f8be2dcb399251a181.jpg)
![_MG_7710.jpg _MG_7710.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53194-cb22f15c62ee1810b2d8f9879e7d9877.jpg)
![IMG_0261.jpg IMG_0261.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/53/53213-29acb75e8d549149b50d856d6afc4299.jpg)
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