elizabethadventuresblogLarches are one of the most beautiful trees in the fall months. Their golden pine needles draw in hikers from all over. The most popular areas to find larches in the Pacific Northwest is Washington and Canada, but did you know Oregon also has larches? Not only can you find them in designated wilderness areas, but you can also find them throughout town in unexpected places. Below I’ll share everything you need to know about these beautiful central Oregon larches and where you can find them in the fall months.
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Before you go Larch Hunting
Be sure to know and follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles on trail. It’s so important to help protect these beautiful places we love and enjoy. Make sure you know these principles before going out on a hike.
- Plan Ahead and Prepare: Always check for current weather updates and educate yourself on trail conditions prior to starting a hike. Look for recent reviews or call the local ranger station for up-to-date trail information like closures, recent wildlife and road conditions.
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stick to the trail. Avoid going off trail unless it’s to go to the bathroom. You can capture amazing photos from the trail. Do not cut switchbacks. Stepping off trail can cause years of damage with just one simple step. Camp in existing campsites rather than over vegetation.
- Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out all trash and food scraps. Never toss food items on the ground. It is harmful to the wildlife. Properly dispose of human waste by digging a cat hole at least 6 inches deep and burying human waste. Bring a wag bag to pack it out in fragile alpine terrain. Never leave toilet paper or feminine hygiene products behind. Bring a bag and pack them out to dispose of properly because they shouldn’t be disposed of on trail. Same goes for dog poop. Properly bury it or pack it back out to dispose of. Do not leave dog poop bags on the side of the trail. They are easy to forget, animals can get into them and other hikers don’t want to see them.
- Leave What You Find: Do not take objects like plants off trail with you. Preserve nature by not marking on rocks or harming any natural objects. Never pick wildflowers. It is illegal in many states.
- Minimize Campfire Impacts: Check and follow all local wildfire regulations. Use existing fire rings and keep fires small. Put fires out properly by dousing with multiple gallons of water. Coals should be cool to the touch before walking away.
- Respect Wildlife: Never touch, feed or approach wildlife. Give a minimum of 25 yards to all wildlife and a minimum of 100 yards for predators and larger wildlife. Wildlife are not like house pets. They can spook easily or feel threatened. Stay in your car if wildlife is near the road.
- Be Considerate of Others: Respect other hikers by allowing those that hike faster to pass. Uphill hikers have the right of way, so safely step aside for them to pass, unless they offer to stop first. Limit noise and use headphones. Keep groups under 8. Say hello to a fellow hiker!
What are Larches
The larch tree is a deciduous conifer. Larches are found in high altitude forest in the northern hemisphere, where temperatures are cooler. Unlike other conifer trees, larches needles change from green to yellow in the fall months before dropping their needles for winter, just like a deciduous tree with leaves does.
In the spring and summer months, larches can be hard to identify if you haven’t seen them before because they may look like any other needle conifer tree. You can usually identify them from other needle trees because they almost have a lime green color to the needles and they tend to have softer, lighter needles in appearance.
When Is the Best Time to See Central Oregon Larches
Central Oregon larches will start to turn golden yellow at different times every year and there is no real way to predict when that will happen. It will depend on the current temperatures, so a warm fall means they will take longer to turn. If it is a cold fall they may turn sooner. Varying elevations plays into central Oregon larches turning colors as well. Lower elevations will change later.
Larches in central Oregon are at a lower elevation than most mountain larches, so they tend to turn a little later. The beginning of October is usually when larches hit peak in Washington, but plan for mid to late October to see them start turning in Oregon. Look for recent trail reviews or call the local ranger station for up to date information on larch colors. This is the best way to gauge when they’ve started to turn and when they will most likely hit peak colors.
Where Can You Find Central Oregon Larches?
Although you can find patches of larches all over central Oregon, from Drake Park to the local schoolyard to someone’s yard, below are the best places to enjoy them on a hike. But be sure to keep your eyes peeled all fall for them on the side of the road around town! I find new patches of them every year and wonder how I never noticed before.
Metolius Preserve Larches
What is the Metolius Preserve
The Metolius Preserve is a 1,240 acre forest preserve. It was established in 2003 and is managed by the Deschutes Land Trust. You can click here to learn more about the conservation being done. Most of the Metolius Preserve is inaccessible, but read below how to find the hiking trails. Dogs are allowed, but must be kept on a leash at all times.
Location
The Metolius Preserve is located just south of Camp Sherman, which is between Suttle Lake and Black Butte. From Highway 20 you’ll turn onto Metolius River Camp Sherman Road. You’ll then turn right onto NF-1216, which is a washboard gravel road. Keep you eyes peeled because this is where you’ll really start to see more larches! They are all along the roads to Camp Sherman and the Metolius Preserve. There will be a sign for the turn off on the left, where you’ll take a narrow dirt road to the trailhead’s parking lot.
Google maps might have you turn onto Jack Lake Road. This route will get you there, but can be harder to spot from the highway. I’ve taken both roads no problem though! This route is all forest service road conditions, but doable for a low clearance car. This route is closer to the south trailhead parking lot.
Larch Hiking in the Metolius Preserve
The Metolius Preserve is the most well known spot for central Oregon larches. If you’re taking the Santiam Pass you may get lucky and spot a few along the highway near Suttle Lake! There are two trailheads to start at, as mentioned above in location finding. Click here to see the trail maps. The Larch Trails is where you want to head, but there are scattered larches in other areas.
From the north trailhead, head south into the Larch Trails. I would recommend hiking the loop shown on the map in orange, but you can explore any of the existing trails. If you start at the south trailhead, you’ll head north and follow the signs to the Larch Trails to begin the larch loop. In order to really see the larches you will need to reach the loop along the Larch Trails section, otherwise they will be thinly scattered throughout.
Shevlin Park Larches
What is Shevlin Park
Shevlin Park is a 981 acre nature preserve on the west side of Bend, near Tumalo. The park was donated to the city in 1920 and remains mostly undeveloped. There are three picnic areas within the park as well as multiple foot bridges that cross over Tumalo Creek, which runs through the park. Shevlin Park is known for its hiking and mountain biking trails but also fall larches.
Location
The main trail access and parking lot for Shevlin Park is located off NW Shelvin Park Road. There are two small parking lots on either side of the road. You can also access Shevlin Park off NF-4606/ BS Logging Road, but it doesn’t have the established parking and trail options because it’s farther out on the south side.
Larch Hiking in Shevlin Park
You don’t have to go far here to find larches! From the parking lot, follow the Tumalo Creek trail. They are scattered all over along Tumalo Creek on both sides of the trail. I personally haven’t explored more than 2-3 miles in, so I’m not positive how far in you can go and continue to see them or if they get even better. Maybe you can go on a longer adventure and let me know!
Ochoco Forest Larches
What is the Ochoco Forest
The Ochoco National Forest spans 850,000 acres in central Oregon. Ochoco National Forest is made up of three wilderness areas: Mill Creek, Bridge Creek and Black Canyon Wilderness areas.
It is comprised of pine forests, canyons, high desert terrain and is the headwater to the Crooked River. The Ochoco Forest is an amazing place for outdoor recreation from mountain biking to hiking and rock climbing. There are 26 designated campgrounds as well as countless dispersed camping opportunities.
Location
The Ochoco National Forest is located just East of Prineville. Highway 26 runs through it and is where many forests service roads and the Steins Pillar turn off from. Because of how vast the Ochoco National Forest is, you’ll need to venture off the paved highway and explore the first forest roads to see more of the forest.
Larch Hiking in Ochoco National Forest
The Ochoco National Forest is the largest area in this guide, so there are a lot more options from hiking to simply driving the forest service roads. If you’re looking for a great hiking trail, be sure to check out Steins Pillar. You’ll have larches from the parking lot all the way to the pillar! This is definitely the best hiking option.
If you drive along Canyon Creek Road you’ll find endless larches! Ochoco Forest Camp and Pavilion has larches around it and they continue for miles along the road and in the distant hills. There are various hikes throughout the area, many to old mines.
Another popular area in the Ochoco National Forest where you can find larches is around the Deep Creek Campground. If you have time and want to explore, drive along the forest service roads and keep your eyes peeled for larches!
What to Bring for Central Oregon Larch Hiking
The 10 Essentials
No matter the length of difficulty of a hike, you should always carry a backpack with the 10 essentials. You can learn more about these item in my “The 10 Essentials” guide. This hike is a more difficult hike and if there were an emergency and you had to get help on trail you will want to have these items on hand. In addition, you can always help a fellow hiker in need.
Warm layers
Fall hiking means various ranges of temperatures and often all in one day. It’s important to pack plenty of layers, especially in the fall. The weather can change quickly and if you hike in the fall, it can go from cold to warm in hours. I like to bring a down coat and rain coat with me so I know I’ll be comfortable if the weather turns. I also bring a long sleeve shirt to wear over a tank top. It can be used as a sun shirt for protection or a warm layer. On colder days I like to also bring a fleece layer.
Hiking Backpack
Every person hiking should always have their own backpack with water and supplies. Never rely on someone else to carry your gear because if there is an emergency everyone should be individually prepared. I like to use one between 25-28L so I have plenty of room for food and layers. I have the Gregory Jade 28 and the REI Trail 25.
Hiking Shoes
Always wear proper shoes when hiking. This means trail runners or hiking boots because they will provide the best traction over rocks and loose terrain. Sandals and tennis shoes are not great footwear for the trail. This trail can be wet and rocks will be slick. Waterproof shoes are best if the trail is wet.
Water and Electrolytes
It’s so important to stay hydrated hiking, no matter the time of the year. Plan to have one liter of water per 2 hours of hiking. There are a few streams you can filter water at if you bring a filter, but plan to pack plenty of water. I also bring electrolyte snacks on every hike I go on. I like using my bladder to make sure I’m consuming enough water since it’s easier to drink from. A large water bottle is a great option if you don’t like bladders. I always carry my water filter with me so I can resupply my water as needed.
Central Oregon Larches Reminders
- Larches change color in the fall months, but there is no way to predict exactly when that will happen. Every year will be different depending on the weather. Central Oregon larches are at a lower elevation and will change later than mountain terrain larches . Plan for mid to late October and look for trail reviews or call the forest service for up-to-date information.
- Always practice Leave No Trace Principles on Trail. This means leave wildlife and nature be. Do not remove anything you find, do not mark on rocks or trees and give wildlife plenty of space. Stick to the designated trails and do not cut switchbacks.
- Fall hiking means colder temperatures and unexpected weather changes. Always back more layers than you think you’d need and be prepared for sudden inclement weather. You may hike for larches and be in the snow since they chance so late in the season.
- The areas listed above are great for hiking, but don’t forget to look for larches around town too! Camp Sherman has larches all around. You can see them on the side of the road as you pass Suttle Lake as well. Bend and Redmond have larches sprinkled all over from parks to people’s yards, so see if you can find them just driving around. I discover new ones every year!
The larch tree is one of my favorite pine trees and I love being able to see them every fall. There is just something magical about the way they turn to a golden yellow unlike other needle trees. Hopefully this guide helps you discover someplace new to see larches, but also encourages you to look for them around town! If you have any questions or use this guide or help you discover larches in Central Oregon, be sure to leave a comment and let me know!
Happy Hiking,
Elizabeth
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